Council Member Adam Bazaldua seemingly kowtowed to anti-Israel protesters after a demonstration in council chambers on Wednesday.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, dozens of anti-Israel protesters attended a Dallas City Council meeting. Some signed up to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting and called on council members to pass a resolution calling for a cease-fire between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas. However, many others disrupted the meeting by chanting “free, free Palestine.” Multiple members of the audience had to be escorted out of the meeting because they continued to cause disruption after being warned by Mayor Eric Johnson.
On Thursday, Bazaldua (District 7) issued a press release in which he called on his fellow council members to “vote to pass a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian aid effort and exit strategy for all innocent civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. Additionally, in accordance with the United Nations Resolution, call for peaceful negotiations for a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
The council member made his foray into international geopolitics as Dallas struggles with a number of serious issues of concern to residents, including crime, uncleanliness, and rampant vagrancy.
Residents continue to say they are frustrated with homelessness, vagrancy, and panhandling throughout the City, according to polling. Additionally, there has been dissatisfaction registered with how the City handles the amount of trash and filth in the streets. Per the City’s code compliance dashboard, Bazaldua’s District 7 has had the most litter-related violations clocked out of all the council districts.
Crime has also been a significant issue in Dallas amid an ongoing personnel shortage at the Dallas Police Department that council members have yet to solve. There are currently only around 3,000 officers serving residents. A City analysis, however, recommends that Dallas have roughly 4,000 on staff. In District 7, motor vehicle theft has shot up by 57.8% year over year. Robberies are also up, with authorities clocking a 5.3% increase in incidents in Bazaldua’s jurisdiction, according to the City’s crime analytics dashboard.
Citywide, murder has been on the rise. There have been 135 murders and non-negligent manslaughter cases this year as of December 14, marking a 13.5% spike year over year.
The Dallas Express reached out to Council Member Bazaldua and asked him whether it was the best use of his time to weigh in on international issues considering the current state of the city. No response was received prior to press time.
