Arcata Activists Push for Sister City Partnership with Gaza City

The “Palestine – Israel Talking Corner” is a space created for dialogue and debate among community members, held by the Redwood Peace and Justice Coalition (RPJC). [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

Although the Gaza Strip may seem distant from Arcata, some local residents have deep familial ties to the region, with connections spanning generations. These community members, part of a local diaspora, are seeking ways to support their relatives and friends back home in Palestine.

While some locals expressed skepticism that an effort to send aid to the region at this point could even succeed in arriving, others we spoke with – most of them asking to remain off the record – expressed a desire to increase their community’s awareness around the issues of humanitarian aid, cultural recognition, and the US government’s political and financial support to the ongoing military offensive from Israel. 

“So with Gaza, we are well aware that we may donate food and supplies and it may just get bombed. But that’s not the point. The point is that we recognize them, and…and we try to, from here forward, humanize the Palestinians. We may not get aid in there, but we can do cultural exchange. We can improve people’s image and understanding of what is going on there by making direct connections, getting behind the propaganda model that depicts people as terrorists,” Neuwrith said, while standing ready to engage the farmers market attendees as they strolled by the “Palestine – Israel talking corner” that is set up each Saturday at Arctata’s popular local open market. 

Activists say that the suggested plan could be modeled after the Boulder, Colorado, Boulder-Nablus Sister City Project, which has donated an ambulance to the West Bank city. According to Shawn Leon of the Redwood Peace And Justice Coalition, the local group of anti-war, anti-imperialist activist and peace-love community members (mostly in the northern region of the county) have plans to put in place an LLC for the purpose of facilitating the sister city relationship.  

Shawn Leon, who was on hand Saturday at the Arcata Plaza to discuss the idea with residents and passersby at the popular farmers market told us, “We intend to form a legal non-profit for the purpose of the Arcata sister city in Palestine, and we have coalition partners that may assist our activities in the interim.” 

The idea was spearheaded by members of the Redwood Peace and Justice Coalition, and when asked if this effort was inspired by local community members, Leon indicated that there has been a strong local connection to Gaza. “When we spoke to the folks running the Boulder-Nablus sister city they advised that utilizing personal connections and international aid organizations would be the most effective and efficient way to succeed,” Leon explained. 

As to Gaza City in particular, the most populated city on the strip, which has been “Inhabited since at least the 15th century BC,” according to Wikipedia, Leon explained that there are “informal connections to aid organizations currently operating in Gaza City.”

As to a local connection to the region, Leon stated that they have the support of some enthusiastic Palestinian community members, saying, “The local Palestinians we have been in contact with are unequivocally positive about the idea of a sister city in Palestine despite understanding the challenges Gazans face – subjected to Israel’s ongoing barbaric massacres and illegal occupation.”

Although there were occasionally discussions between those who did not see eye to eye, the talks remained civil while baskets overflowed with veggies and otherwise occupied market shoppers meandered by.

At the “Palestine – Israel Talking Corner” during the Arcata’s Farmers market between noon and each Saturday during the market, Middle Eastern politics, genocide and war crimes are the main topic. 

Not mincing words, and impassioned in the call for action on the matter, Leon added, “We look forward to the opportunity, through this sister city, to center Palestinian culture, and help tear down Islamophobia which exists even in our local leftist community spaces, which can also help us stand in a united front against the potential rise of fascism in America.”

REACTIONS TO THE SISTER CITY PROPOSAL

As Neuwrith spoke with curious passersby, he told us that he generally found that people received the idea positively. He said that people feel powerless,” but explained that “by signing a petition that states that they disagree with committing genocide in the name of US taxpayers, when they can sign a petition that is directly to benefit human to human relations, then they don’t feel so powerless.”

One signature provided in support of the project was none other than former congressman and local representative Wesley Chesbro. Neuwirth was pleased to say that the former Actata city councilperson eventually turned state representative signed the petition “without batting an eye” according to Neuwrith, who immediately recognized the local but retired politician. 

The petition states in part, “We are working to create broad based local support for Palestine and show our elected officials how popular a sister city partnership with Palestine is.” 

With signatures steadily coming in and the election on the brink of being determined, the city council is expected to consider the proposal in the coming weeks. 

As it stands, council members Schaefer, Serna, Quillman, as well as candidates Shea Freedomhowler and Ethan LeVering openly endorse the project, according to RPJC. Correspondence between Arcata City Council members on the matter makes clear several of their positions, as shared with the organizers of the initiative. 

For example, Arcata City council member Dane Quillman offered her “Complete support” of the sister city concept, and wrote in response to the proposal, “I am completely opposed to occupation, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and genocide, by any group against any other group.”

Another open to the idea was Councilmember Sarah Schaefer, who replied supportively, but advised, “I support the idea but I think that we are just at the genesis of a longer process that needs to be explored.” Schaefer noted that the City of Boulder Colorado had a lengthy road to the completion of the project, involving many community partners and requiring work spanning over five years to finally accomplish the goal – information she indicated was gleaned from their website. 

A farmers market shopper tucks his Kale while signing the Petition for the Sister City in Gaza, as Sam Neuwrith and a friend of the pro-Palestine signee look on.

Running for a seat on the Council, Ethan LeVering told RPJC, “I do support the idea and if elected I would like to work on getting this or a similar proposal passed.”  He also expressed concern about the logistics considering the challenges, writing, “I also believe that there would logistical difficulties to this proposal given the ongoing genocide. From what I can tell, the Boulder-Nablus partnership began in 2017 when there was more stability in the region. For an “Arcata-Gaza City Partnership” to work it would have to be a two sided agreement/arrangement. I am wondering if the Gaza City municipal council is still regularly meeting?” 

According to RPJC, “Against the idea are Mayor Meredith Mathews, Council Members Alex Stillman, and Stacy Atkins-Salazar, as well as Council Candidate Gregory Daggett.”

Current Mayor of the City Meredith Mathews, who will be passing her seat to another member of the council following the election, suggested that members of the group contact a local Jewish business owner for their input, while stating that she was not supportive of the idea. Mathew’s stated, “Please understand that I do not have any interest in this nor do I support it,” before referencing Los Bagels in Arcata and noting the owner’s name for reference, adding, “You may remember his name as his business was vandalized lately with anti- Semitic slurs- he should be easy enough to find.”

Council Member Alex Stillman, who is running for another term, also told the Coalition that the idea was “not something” she could support. 

When asked how this effort could help locals, Shawn Leon explained how helping others can have return benefits. Leon wrote back via email, “While the primary interest is to provide Palestinians in Gaza basic human needs, and to recognize our shared humanity, locals in Humboldt will see many benefits to their personal lives including, 1. increased trade of Palestinian products, 2. increased understanding of Palestinian culture, 3. increased travel exchange opportunities 4. increased moral health knowing that our city is upholding their duties, enshrined in international law, to prevent genocide, 5. having a more favorable place to live (as it is understood that Arcata’s hearts and artists are a key reason why our property values are comparatively elevated), and 6. attracting more people to Arcata that are committed to resist colonialism and oppression which makes Arcata a better place to raise children.”  

Leon added, “If Gaza City ultimately declines our offer to partner as a sister city, our intention is to partner with a municipality in the Northern Gaza Strip,” Leon explained. This second option could prove to be challenging when the dust settles on the northern Gaza Strip, with regional United Nations sources currently assessing the damage and the prognosis for recovery there, while the military offensive against Gaza remains unabated.  

Still, local anti-war activists are not deterred, and continue to look for ways to make efforts to regain peace in the region. 

When we asked Leon what the game plan or next move would be following the election – depending on who is elected to the Arctata City Council, he indicated that the group was focused on the long game.  Leon told us, “We anticipate the next council will still have one member strongly opposed to the idea while the others are either openly supportive or ready to listen to community input. We will continue to build coalition and organize to demonstrate community support for the idea which has already become very popular in only a few weeks.” 

For more information, check out RPJC’s petition here, and learn more about where to vote here.