Darien Urged To Back Gaza Ceasefire Resolution

DARIEN, IL – Darien officials were asked Monday to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Burr Ridge and Bolingbrook are among the towns that have done so.

During a Darien City Council meeting, 16 speakers, many of them from Darien, spoke for a ceasefire. They were organized by Burr Ridge resident Nizam Khatib.

In its attacks in Gaza, Israel is accused of killing more than 34,000 people, most of them women and children.

The attacks are in response to Hamas militants killing more than 1,160 people and taking hundreds of hostages in Israel on Oct. 7.

At the meeting, Khatib said the speakers were not asking for the council to take a political side, but only to side with humanity. He called what's happening in Gaza a genocide.

"I admire the freedom available to everyone living here in the U.S. and the opportunity to achieve your dreams. It's what makes America great," Khatib said. "By passing a ceasefire resolution, it will speak volumes about our shared humanity."

Adam Dowd, pastor of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church on 75th Street in Darien, joined the calls for a ceasefire resolution. Dowd, a retired Army captain, said it was important to foster understanding among people and call for an end to the "horrific violence" taking place.

After the public comments, Mayor Joseph Marchese said he and City Administrator Bryon Vana met with Khatib earlier.

"We expressed to him some concerns, and our concern was that our primary focus here in Darien is to respond to the needs of our residents," the mayor said. "Local government responds to local needs."

Marchese continued, "We also explained that we have a very difficult time believing that anything we would do or any other municipality would do from the standpoint of a ceasefire resolution could have any impact on the situation in Gaza."

He asked whether any aldermen had any interest in discussing a ceasefire resolution at a later meeting.

Alderman Thomas Belczak spoke up.

"I don't see a problem with moving forward on this as long as we keep it apolitical," he said. "We're talking about peace on the other side of the world. Don't we all want peace?"

The audience applauded.

Alderman Joe Kenny said he was torn.

"I agree with the 16 people who spoke up here today," Kenny said. "But I watched a police officer's funeral last Tuesday morning. There's nothing I can do 10 miles away, much less thousands of miles in the Gaza Strip. But I do believe it's worth having a conversation between all of us."

He, too, received applause.

The other four aldermen present – Ted Schauer, Ralph Stompanato, Mary Sullivan and Gerry Leganski – did not say anything. Alderman Eric Gustafson was absent.

Marchese said he would take the matter "under advisement" and discuss it with Administrator Vana.

"We'll get feedback from others," the mayor said. "I appreciate all of you coming out tonight. I think you touched a lot of hearts with what you said."

In March, Khatib organized speakers to air their views at two Burr Ridge Village Board meetings before trustees adopted a resolution.