Interfaith vigil calling for Gaza ceasefire set for Thursday afternoon at Mill Creek Park

AlHadaf KC sit-in at Cleaver’s offices.

Thursday, November 23 at 4 p.m., a coalition of interfaith groups, local leaders, and activist organizers will hold a vigil calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The event will take place on the Southwest corner of Mill Creek Park at the intersection of Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard and Mill Creek Parkway.

Cleaver issued a public statement in support of a ceasefire last weekend, but has refused to sign onto the Ceasefire Now Resolution (HR 786), brought forward by St. Louis Democrat Cori Bush.

As of last night, a temporary cessation of hostilities appears to have been brokered by the United States for a period of at least four days, with both sides of the conflict agreeing to swap non-combatants, with the possibility of some Americans involved in the Oct. 7 kidnappings being among them. While this marks a monumental shift from the unceasing military aggression of the last month and a half, more and more Americans are looking to their leadership to push for an actual, binding ceasefire in the region. Last Saturday, a meeting between Cleaver and activists resulted in his withdrawal of legislation that critics feared would be used to further displace Palestinian people.

Thursday’s vigil will call on the congressional delegation from Missouri and Kansas to join the call for ceasefire, specifically asking them to co-sponsor HR 786. Cleaver has called for ceasefire, and House. Rep. Sharice Davids has yet to call for ceasefire.