Dozens urge Las Cruces council to back Gaza ceasefire; petition delivered

Dozens of residents used the public‑comment period at the April 1 Las Cruces City Council meeting to urge the council to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to ask the city to press congressional representatives on the issue.

Speakers representing "Las Cruces for Palestine" and allied community members described civilian casualties and humanitarian conditions in Gaza and urged the council to "stand on the right side of history." Several callers presented casualty figures and humanitarian statistics; Vy Caveto noted the group previously delivered 352 signatures on March 4 and brought an additional 56 signatures to submit to the city clerk during the meeting.

Speakers framed their appeals as moral and humanitarian calls to action. Some councilors said they would consider bringing a resolution forward for future action; Councilor comments later in the meeting indicated at least two councilors supported considering a ceasefire resolution.

No formal council vote or resolution on the Gaza matter occurred at the April 1 meeting. The record shows multiple members of the public urging action and several council members acknowledging the requests and asking staff to place consideration on future agendas.