> > Chicago Passes Anti-War Resolution 46-1 Vote
> > To:
alw@peaceinspace.com
> >
> > For Immediate Release
> >
> > Chicago Passes Anti-War Resolution 46-1 Vote Follows
> > Extensive and Personal Debate (Chicago, Jan. 16, 2003)
> >
> > After one of the most mesmerizing, impassioned and
> > personal debates ever to occur in Chicago's City
> > Council Chamber, Chicago has become the largest and
> > most prominent city in the nation to formally oppose a
> > unilateral pre-emptive strike on Iraq.
> >
> > One by one, black and white, Latino and Jewish, men
> > and women, the Aldermen stood to draw attention to
> > their own particular concerns with the current path of
> > the Bush Administration. Many pointed out that the
> > real dangers this nation faces today are the rising
> > rates of unemployment and economic stagnation. Others
> > were concerned about the double standard the
> > administration is showing with respect to North Korea.
> >
> > And some drew attention to the prospect of young sons
> > and daughters coming home in body bags from an
> > ill-conceived war.
> > The Committee of Human Relations of the Chicago City
> > Council sent the "Resolution Opposing Pre-emptive U.S.
> >
> > Military Strikes on Iraq" to the full council today
> > after a vote yesterday.
> >
> > "It is our sons and daughters who will be recruited-
> > perhaps even conscripted-to fight in this war," said
> > Ald. Joseph Moore (49th), chief sponsor of the
> > resolution. Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) was concerned
> > that the "cost of the war will dry up federal funding
> > for domestic programs for a war that has yet to be
> > justified."
> >
> > Judith Kossy of Chicagoans Against the War on Iraq
> > said she and her organization were deeply moved by the
> > leadership of Ald. Joe Moore, Ald. Helen Shiller, Ald.
> >
> > Ricardo Munoz, Ald. Leslie Hairston and by the action
> > taken today the City Council. "Two out of three
> > people in the nation oppose a unilateral war. It's
> > important for local leaders to articulate their
> > constituent's feelings to President Bush and to the
> > world," Kossy said.
> > The full resolution follows:
> >
> > RESOLUTION OPPOSING A PRE-EMPTIVE U.S. MILITARY
> > ATTACK
> > ON IRAQ
> >
> > WHEREAS, the issues between Iraq and the world
> > community have not proven to be irresoluble by
> > traditional diplomatic efforts; and
> >
> > WHEREAS, while Saddam Hussein is a tyrant who should
> > be removed from power, both for the good of the Iraqi
> > people and for the security of Iraq's neighboring
> > countries, it is not at all clear that a unilateral
> > U.S. military action would result in the installation
> > of a free and democratic Iraqi government; and
> >
> > WHEREAS, U.S. military actions would risk the deaths
> > of thousands of Iraqi civilians without guaranteeing
> > the
> > safety and security of U.S. citizens; and
> >
> > WHEREAS, a pre-emptive and unilateral U.S. military
> > attack would violate international law and our
> > commitments under the U.N. Charter and further isolate
> > the U.S. from the rest of the world; and
> >
> > WHEREAS, the Congressional Budget Office estimates a
> > military action against Iraq will cost our nation
> > between $9 and $13 billion a month, likely resulting
> > in further cuts in federally funded projects and
> > programs
> > that benefit our city and its residents; and
> >
> > WHEREAS, a U.S.-led war in Iraq would compromise our
> > current action in Afghanistan, and require years of
> > nation-building activities in Iraq; and
> >
> > WHEREAS, the Bush administration has failed to
> > articulate a clear strategic objective or outcome of a
> > military attack against Iraq, and such an attack fails
> > to enjoy the support of many of our important allies;
> > and
> >
> > WHEREAS, we give our unconditional support to U.S.
> > military personnel serving at home and abroad in their
> > tireless battle against global terrorism, and should
> > our military forces be sent to Iraq, we give our
> > unyielding support to our young men and women serving
> > in our nation's military, even if we oppose the policy
> > that sent them there;
> >
> > NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the members of
> > the City Council of the City of Chicago, oppose a
> > pre-emptive U.S. military attack on Iraq unless it is
> > demonstrated that Iraq poses a real and imminent
> > threat to the security and safety of the United
> > States; and
> >
> > BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support a return of
> > U.N. weapons inspectors to Iraq, enhanced by
> > sufficient
> > police support to guarantee unfettered access to all
> > targeted sites; and
> >
> > BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the U.S. to work
> > through the U.N. Security Council and reaffirm our
> > nation's commitment to the rule of law in all
> > international relationships; and
> >
> > BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution
> > be forwarded to the Illinois congressional delegation
> > and the President of the United States.
> > ----------------------------------------------------
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