A local group says it will conduct another “peaceful local protest” this weekend to advocate for a ceasefire to the “ongoing genocide and destruction by Israel in the Gaza Strip.”
Marion For Peace will gather on Saturday, March 23, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of SW 27th Avenue and SW State Road 200.
According to a press release issued by JD Elliott on behalf of the organization, several dozen residents have signed up to participate in the protest, which has been going on weekly for the past month.
“MFP will be demonstrating on the streets of Ocala for the fourth time in less than a month against Israel’s counter-productive and senseless genocide of Palestinian people, which has to date killed more than 32,000 individuals, in the majority innocent women and children,” reads the press release. “MFP is also seeking an immediate return of all Israeli and Palestinian hostages.”
According to the group, over the past twenty years, MFP has “endorsed nonviolent solutions to local, regional, state, national, and international issues.”
The group believes that a ceasefire resolution will communicate Ocala’s interest in promoting peace.
“The members of MFP believe such a Resolution will provide national and international impact to communicate the urgent interest of Ocala in promoting peace and preventing needless and counter-productive bloodshed,” reads the statement.
The group says that to date, 70 cities across the United States have passed similar resolutions.
Earlier this week, the Ocala City Council heard comments from 28 individuals regarding the conflict in the Gaza Strip, with many voicing opposition to the city’s involvement in the conflict.
“The citizens of this community and this county have hired you to lead this community. This community. Let me say it again. This community,” said Monty Estes during the meeting, which took place on March 19.
A retired Naval officer who lives in Silver Springs, Estes suggested the council was tasked with addressing matters of the city and county, not those of other nations or governing bodies.
“You have senators, congressmen, and representatives for this issue. Not Marion County, and not the city of Ocala,” said Estes. “It’s your leaders and your congressmen and your representatives up there that should be leading this fight. Call your congressmen, call your senators. This is not a community issue.”
During the March 5 meeting of the Ocala City Council, a motion to draft a resolution supporting a ceasefire in Gaza failed after three of the five council members voted against the measure.
MFP says that the group will continue to attend council meetings and stage protests going forward.
“MFP has committed to continue speaking out at bi-weekly Ocala City Council meetings in favor of the Council drafting and promulgating a Resolution to Endorse a Permanent Ceasefire in the War.”