A letter to the Editor this week from Tom DeKornfeld brought to our attention an omission in The Gazette’s reporting on the March 3 Hardwick Town Meeting.
Before the meeting adjourned at 3:16 p.m., five hours and fourteen minutes after it began, Emily Lanxner made a motion for the non-binding resolution: “We affirm our commitment to freedom, justice and equality for the Palestinian people and for all people, and we oppose all forms of racism, bigotry, discrimination and oppression. We declare ourselves an apartheid-free community and pledge to join others in working to end all support to Israel’s apartheid regime, settler colonialism and military occupation.”
Her motion was seconded by Will Fritch, who later spoke in support of it and offered reasons supporting its adoption.
The draft meeting minutes report, “Karen Gates said she appreciated the discussion but felt that, since many residents had already left the meeting, the issue might be better placed on a future ballot so all voters could participate.
“Margaret Bledsoe stated that while she personally supports the principles expressed, she was concerned that the resolution could be divisive within the community and potentially alienate residents.
The motion passed on a hand count prior to a motion by Harold McCoy to adjourn that was seconded by Ben Nottermann.
