In a recent press conference held in Chicago, leaders from the Working Families Party and Black Voters Matter called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo against Israel. Maurice Mitchell, the national director of the Working Families Party, emphasized the urgent need for the U.S. government to halt military support for Israel, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis that has resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians since October.

Mitchell urged the Biden administration to prioritize human life over military funding, stating, \"If we value a ceasefire and if we value human life, it's time for an arms embargo.\" He condemned the current U.S. policy as complicit in what he described as \"war crimes and ethnic cleansing.\"

Cliff Albright from Black Voters Matter echoed these sentiments, highlighting the historical connections between the struggles of the Black community and the Palestinian cause. He pointed out that the financial resources allocated to military support could instead be invested in local communities, stating, \"That $20 billion could have been put right here in this community.\"

Georgia State Representative Rua Roman also spoke passionately about the impact of U.S. military aid on Palestinian lives, urging for representation of Palestinian voices at the Democratic National Convention. \"We are sending these weapons, and in return, what we are seeing is torn bodies with shrapnel, with our American flag on them,\" she said, calling for a unified effort to save lives.

The speakers collectively emphasized the need for the U.S. to listen to the voices of those affected by the conflict and to take decisive action to prevent further violence. Their message was clear: the call for peace and humanitarian aid must take precedence over military support.