This month city governments in Chicago, Illinois and Cambridge, Massachusetts passed resolutions demanding that the United States withdraw from Iraq. In Chicago, a resolution calling for “an orderly and rapid withdrawal of United States military personnel from Iraq” passed by a 29 to 9 vote while a similarly worded resolution in Cambridge passed by a unanimous 9 to 0 vote. Both resolutions will be sent to the states’ congressional delegation and President George W. Bush.
Thus far, only three other cities—Evanston, IL, San Francisco, CA, and Gary, IN—have passed resolutions against the war. Nevertheless, the passage of antiwar resolutions by city governments may be a tactic worth exploring for antiwar activists around the country. A more extensive effort to get municipalities to pass resolutions condemning the USA PATRIOT Act has resulted in 395 resolutions against the legislation with 280 efforts currently underway. The resolutions, including one passed in Grand Rapids, have been a valuable tool in educating communities about the impacts of the USA PATRIOT Act and keeping attention focused on the legislation. Moreover with the costs and deaths attributable to the Iraq war continuing to rise, many city governments would be willing to take action on the subject.
Related posts:
- Antiwar Organizers Urge Attendence at City’s Iraq Forum
- Democratic Congressperson John Murtha Calls for Immediate Withdrawal from Iraq
- Campaign to get City Commission Resolution against the Occupation of Iraq Continues
- Iraq Watch: Calls for Withdrawal Slowly Growing, the Destruction of Fallujah, US Considers Indefinite Detentions
- Grand Rapids City Leaders Drafting Resolution against Iraq War
