A group of more than 30 people made up of local organizers and community members gathered in front of Long Beach City Hall Wednesday afternoon and pressed for Rep. Robert Garcia to support a congressional resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“Israel bombs, USA pays, how many kids have you killed today?” the group chanted while demanding Garcia back the Ceasefire Now Resolution introduced by Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Cori Bush, and other representatives.

The proposed resolution would urge the Biden Administration “to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, to send humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza, and to save as many lives as possible.”

It comes as Israel is responding militarily to the Oct. 7 terrorist attack in which Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel, killing over 1,000 people. Israel retaliated by launching a siege on Gaza, hammering it with airstrikes and ground assaults that the Hamas-controlled Palestinian government has said have killed more than 8,000 people.

A spokesperson with Garcia’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Long Beach Post.

Garcia previously said in an interview with MSNBC that Israel has the “right to defend itself against Hamas” so long as they follow international law. He added that he supports a “humanitarian pause” on the attacks in order to “prioritize rescuing hostages and getting food, water and aid to civilians.” A humanitarian pause would serve as more of a temporary, limited halt to violence that would allow in aid or achieve other narrow purposes. A ceasefire typically refers to a broader, regional cessation of the conflict.

Local organizer and Executive Director of Long Beach Forward James Suazo said Garcia needs to do more with the power his constituents have given him as a congressman.

Protestors hold a sign reading “From the river to the sea Palestine will be free,” while James Suazo (left) leads the crowd in a chant outside City Hall Wednesday, Nov. 1. Photo by Fernando Haro.

“We come to you as your constituents. We are community members, parents, activists, educators,” the group said in a statement. “We come from queer and trans, people of color, Muslim, immigrant, and refugee families and communities.”

“We are here in solidarity with the people of Palestine and because we know nobody’s free until we’re all free.”