photo credit: Marc Albert/KRCB
File photo of weekly peace vigil as Sebastopol's peace wall.

It may be entirely symbolic, but symbols can have real power. That's the takeaway in Sebastopol where for the forth time in two months, city leaders Tuesday again opted out of discussing a resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza. 

While bomb and drone strikes continue, despite demands three weeks ago for an immediate cease-fire by the United Nations Security Council, frustration is growing in some circles that the Sebastopol City Council hasn't followed suit.

Activist Susan Lamont, whose name is inscribed on the city's "Peace Wall," called the council majority "cowards" to their faces after learning a draft resolution and debate had been stricken from the meeting agenda.

"You no-longer qualify as a peace town, and bring shame to that designation. "Genocide City" might be more apt. I will ask Michael Gillotti to dismantle the Peace Wall and seek its' installation in Cotati. Sebastopol is unworthy of it," Lamont said.

Lamont told the body that among the 22 living people whose names are inscribed on the wall, 18 are calling for a cease fire while the other four aren't opposing one. Four people in the chamber wore Palestinian keffiyehs in solidarity.

Several others locals, meanwhile, praised the council for not calling for a cease-fire.

With rumors flying about why the council has repeatedly declined to weigh in, council members cited lengthy agendas focused on the city's financial problems. Mayor Diana Rich told the audience no one is behind the scenes with their finger on the scales.

"I need the public to understand that there was no discussion on that agenda item. There has been no expression of opinion by the city council, on that agenda item."

Lamont, however, was adamant, likening city leaders to officials who turned back the refugee ship the S.S. St Louis in 1939.

"When the Holocaust began and even as it continued. Most people and most governmental bodies were silent. Now we are ashamed of them, Now, you are doing the same thing."