[Castro Valley, CA — March 8, 2024] — Members of the East Bay 4 Ceasefire Now coalition gathered outside Congressman Eric Swalwell’s District and DC offices, delivering a subpoena charging him with complicity in genocide and failure to represent his constituency. This bold action coincided with a rally outside of Swalwell’s district office, drawing a passionate crowd chanting slogans like “Ceasefire now” and “Free Palestine.”
Lead organizer Vann Jones shared his personal connections to the cause and the coalition’s previous attempts to address Swalwell’s inaction. D-14 community member Ahmed delivered the subpoena to the district office staff, reading a statement to convey the charges and their gravity.
Speakers and Their Perspectives:
- Sandra, a Palestinian Resident of District 14, passionately critiqued Swalwell’s disparate responses to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing Swalwell’s tendency to prioritize the Israeli narrative to the exception of the suffering of Palestinians. She recounted her personal interactions with the representative, the historical context of Israel’s creation, and asserted the urgent need to end the occupation and demand accountability.
- Mack, a Jewish Resident of District 14, highlighted Rep. Swalwell’s contrasting responses to different perspectives within the community. Mack raised the staggering toll of 30,000 Palestinians, about half the size of Castro Valley, provoking the representative as to what number of innocents would move him.
- Camilo Pérez-Bustillo, Executive Director of National Lawyers Guild, SF Bay Area Chapter, provided a legal and scholarly perspective on the actions and responsibilities of elected officials during conflicts, reinforcing the call for accountability.
- Ahmed, a District 14 Resident and Subpoena Contributor, outlined key demands, including an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages on both sides, the provision and access to humanitarian aid including the restoration of US funding to UNRWA, divestment of military aid to Israel, and an independent investigation for accountability.
Attendee Testimony:
Allie, an attendee of the rally, shared a powerful testimony about her personal interaction with Rep. Swalwell as an advocate against stillbirth deaths. She pointed to Swalwell’s unfulfilled promises, emphasizing the need for elected officials to uphold their commitments and serve their constituents with integrity.
People’s Tribunal and Next Steps:
The coalition announced the upcoming People’s Tribunal will take place March 30th at the Castro Valley Library in the Canyon/Chabot Room from 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM. This community-led court hearing aims to investigate Rep. Swalwell’s inaction towards the genocide currently unfolding in Palestine.
Conclusion:
The East Bay 4 Ceasefire Now Subpoena Rally rallied diverse perspectives within the community, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The coalition invites the public to follow @eastbay4ceasefirenow on Instagram for updates and stands united for justice and an end to the Palestinian genocide. The full livestream of this event can be found here.