❗️Voters in US city vote to back Palestine divestment measure in major local victory – The Cradle
❗️Voters in US city vote to back Palestine divestment measure in major local victory
In a decisive show of support, Somerville voters approved a ballot question urging the city to divest from companies linked to Israel’s actions in Palestine. The nonbinding Question 3, which called for cutting ties with corporations that “engage in business sustaining Israel’s apartheid, genocide, and illegal occupation of Palestine,” passed with 55.7 percent in favor, or 11,489 votes, according to unofficial results. About 38.4 percent, or 7,920 voters, opposed the measure, while 1,203 left the question blank.
The initiative, driven by the grassroots group Somerville for Palestine, collected more than 11,000 signatures to reach the ballot. Speaking to a local paper, the group leader Sara Halawa said the outcome reflected growing solidarity with Palestine and a desire to end local complicity in genocide, apartheid, and occupation.
The campaign faced legal challenges from Somerville United Against Discrimination, a group funded by the Anti-Defamation League that twice sought to remove the measure from the ballot. Calling the vote “just the beginning,” Halawa said it sends a clear message to city leaders that Somerville residents want action in solidarity with Palestine.
READ FULL ARTICLE: This article originally appeared on The Cradle
