The City Council Public Hearing in Alexandria, Virginia, held on February 22, 2025, featured intense discussions surrounding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the city's financial ties to companies involved in military operations. The meeting began with a poignant testimony from a resident who shared the harrowing experiences of his family living in a tent for over 15 months, highlighting the impact of military actions on their lives and the destruction of their tomato farm.

The speaker detailed the torture endured by his father and brother-in-law in Israeli jails, attributing their suffering to their resistance against the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). He criticized companies like Lockheed Martin and General Electric for their roles in supplying military equipment, which he claimed contributed to the devastation of Gaza. The testimony underscored the broader implications of corporate investments in military operations and their effects on civilian populations.

Following this, Paul Norris, representing the Virginia Coalition for Human Rights, called for the city to divest from the Israeli government and associated companies. He emphasized the scale of destruction in Gaza, citing reports of significant civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure. Norris argued that the actions of the Israeli government constitute genocide and called for accountability and humanitarian action from the city.

The meeting concluded with a strong call for Alexandria to reconsider its financial relationships with companies that support military actions in conflict zones, reflecting a growing sentiment among residents advocating for human rights and ethical investment practices. The discussions highlighted the urgent need for local governments to address global humanitarian crises and their implications on community values.