The Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce is honoring Rep. Jimmy Panetta as Person of the Year at its Annual Community Recognition Gala. The fact that members of our community would want to honor Panetta reminds me of why we started the vigil at Panetta's office. We wanted to raise community awareness of Panetta's tragic record of supporting Netanyahu's violence towards Palestinians—and Lebanese, Syrians, and Yemenis.

We're going to sing for peace and justice at this event, starting at 5pm. We had a spirited beginning to our Singing Vigil at Panetta's office last Friday. I find it inspiring to sing with others in the face of US complicity in the violence.

Our Singing Vigil takes place every Friday, 3-4pm at the hallway outside Panetta's Santa Cruz office, 3rd floor of the County Building, 701 Ocean St.