Nearly 40 Businesses and Organizations Unite in Urgent Call for City Council to Advocate for Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza and Support Freedom of Expression

Expressing profound concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the coalition of local organizations urges the City of Ottawa to stand in solidarity with municipal counterparts across Canada such as Brampton and Burnaby in calling for an immediate, sustained, and permanent ceasefire in the region, the release of all hostages and the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid.

The ongoing atrocities since October 7h are felt at home as we see a rise of Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism in Canada. Now, more than ever, it is important for the Mayor and Council to stand with marginalized communities.

Furthermore, the letter emphasizes the importance of protecting the right to self-expression and freedom of protest here in Ottawa and calls on the Mayor and Council to not only advocate for dropping bylaw fines but also to push for changes to the bylaw to avoid more issues in the future. Recent incidents, including fines imposed on pro-Palestinian protesters for using megaphones and microphones, raise concerns about the protection of these fundamental rights.

“Our city council can follow the lead of other Canadian municipalities and take an important step to use its influence to push for action on the international stage.” said Jessica Carpinone, owner of Ottawa bakery Bread By Us and signatory of the letter. “Our representatives have a moral obligation to use their voices and act.”

The coalition of organizations also highlights the wide array of those involved as a way to show city council that this movement and these demands are not only limited to international human rights organizations but has broad local support as well.

“It is important to show our support to workers here and abroad just as the Canadian labour movement has done historically for other international struggles." said Alex Silas, Regional VP for PSAC NCR. "We also support the push for council to amend the existing city bylaws when it comes to protest as the current actions of Ottawa Bylaw and Police have dangerous repercussions for any worker or union member wishing to participate in any type of labour action."

"We believe that it is important for all organizations, including those in the local climate movement, to get behind popular support for an end to violence in Gaza." said Sara Washburn, a representative of environmental justice organization, Fridays For Future Ottawa, "The environmental and ecological impact of conflict is often underestimated, yet it poses long-lasting threats to the well-being of the affected communities."

In closing, the letter expresses appreciation for the City of Ottawa's commitment to promoting peace and justice and calls on municipal authorities to take a leadership role in advocating for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

"We look forward to seeing the City of Ottawa add its voice to the collective call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza," said Jessie Duffy, owner of Centretown café, Arlington Five.

List of organizations:

613-819 Black Hub
Strast Media, Co-Owner of the Grove Studio and Community Hun
The Enchanté Network
Iron and Earth
Ottawa Dyke March
CUPE 4600
Punch Up Collective
Planned Parenthood Ottawa
Ottawa Transformative Justice Collective
Hungry Babe
Arlington Five
Unifor local 6004
Bread by Us
Horizon Ottawa
Girls+ Rock Ottawa
PSAC-NCR | AFPC-RCN (Public Service Alliance of Canada - National Capital Region |
Regional Francophone Women's Committee PSAC-NCR
Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 2626
Community Solidarity Ottawa
Criminalization and Punishment Education Project
Climate Justice Ottawa
Qu'ART - Ottawa Queer Arts Collective
CUPE Local 4943
The Graduate Student’s Association des étudiant.es diplômé.es (GSAED)
Gongfu Bao & Cafe
Venus Envy
Little Jo Berry’s
Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE)
Coalition Against More Surveillance (CAMS)
Spring Magazine Ottawa
Ontario Public Interest Research Group Ottawa
Unifor Local 567
Ottawa Trans Library
The University of Ottawa NDP (UONDP)
Free Transit Ottawa
Hintonburg Kids
Fridays For Future Ottawa
Independent Jewish Voices Ottawa