[Peace-discuss] Fwd: [UFPJ] Good News: Chicago City Council Calls for End to War

Fri Sep 16 11:12:41 CDT 2005

FYI  --mkb

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Hany Khalil" <hanykhalil at igc.org>
> Date: September 16, 2005 9:58:55 AM CDT
> To: "UFPJ-Member Groups" <ufpj at lists.mayfirst.org>
> Subject: [UFPJ] Good News: Chicago City Council Calls for End to War
> Reply-To: hanykhalil at igc.org
>
>
> Taking advantage of growing sentiment against the war, UFPJ Member  
> groups in Chicago and allies spearhead a major victory! Let’s  
> congratulate them!
>
>
>
> If you’re working on a similar initiative in your city, please let  
> us know. If you’re not, let this victory inspire you to move a  
> similar effort in your city.
>
>
>
> Contact information for Chicagoans Against War and Injustice and  
> Peace Pledge Chicago is at the end of this email.
>
>
>
> Best,
>
>
>
> Hany Khalil
>
> UFPJ Organizing Coordinator
>
>
>
> For Immediate Release
>
>
>
> Chicago City Council Passes Resolution
>
> Demanding Removal of US Troops from Iraq
>
>
>
> Earlier March, Rally & Presence at Hearing
>
> Show Support for Resolution, Welfare of Troops
>
>
>
> CHICAGO (September 15, 2005) -The Chicago City Council Wednesday  
> passed a resolution demanding the removal of US troops from Iraq.   
> Passing by a Council vote of 29 to 9, with 12 abstaining or not  
> voting, the resolution urges 'the United States government to  
> immediately commence an orderly and rapid withdrawal' from Iraq.   
> In addition to the death and suffering of the war, the resolution  
> stressed that 'Chicago residents' share of monies appropriated for  
> the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan now exceeds $2.1 billion.'
>
>
>
> Chicago is now the largest U.S city to take this stand.  The only  
> other major US city to pass a similar resolution is San Francisco.   
> The Evanston, IL City Council voted against the war yesterday, and  
> Gary, IN did so last month.
>
>
>
> 'It's time to call a halt to the bloodshed.  It's time to load up  
> the ships, load up the planes and welcome home the troops to a  
> ticker-tape parade in New York and a ticker-tape parade in  
> Chicago,' declared Alderman Burton Natarus on the 42nd Ward.   
> Immediately following his impassioned plea to vote 'yes' on the  
> resolution, Natarus fell ill, collapsed and was taken out of the  
> chambers by medics, interrupting the debate for nearly 20 minutes.   
> The debate resumed once it was learned that the 72-year-old  
> alderman was OK.
>
>
>
> Most of those opposing the resolution did not make a strong case  
> for the war, but argued that since troops were there, it would  
> undermine them to call for their return.  Most, however, argued the  
> best thing to do for the troops was to bring them home.
>
>
>
> The landmark decision shows the Federal Government that this war is  
> not supported by a majority of Chicagoans, and the removal of US  
> troops is the only course of logical action available.  Supporters  
> of the resolution are sending a strong message to the Federal  
> Government that the sacrifices made by troops and their families  
> for this ill-conceived conflict must be brought to an end.
>
>
>
> Crowding the Committee on Human Relations hearing Monday afternoon  
> in the hearing before today's vote, members of Chicagoan Against  
> War and Injustice (CAWI), Peace Pledge Chicago, Chicago Code Pink,  
> Women for Democracy and Fair Elections, and other neighborhood  
> peace groups spoke and showed support for the resolution.  Over  
> 6500 signatures from Chicagoans in every Ward were presented to  
> committee members and over a dozen speakers shared their thoughts  
> and concerns.
>
>
>
> 'The City Council voted to oppose Bush's 'war of choice' at its  
> onset,' said Carl Davidson, co-chair of Chicagoans Against War and  
> Injustice, 'we have had a good debate, and now they are setting an  
> example for major cities throughout the nation on how to follow  
> suit and help end it.  Now it's very important to follow up in the  
> streets with a huge turnout at the march on Washington, DC, Sept 24.'
>
>
>
> A City Hall peace rally and march, was also held on Tuesday, Sept  
> 13, on the eve of the vote, featuring the dramatic 'die-in'  
> demonstration.  The hundreds gathered at the door of City Hall  
> provided the final push for supporters of the resolution.  Meant to  
> serve as more than a typical antiwar protest, the rally featured  
> military families and others with strong ties to the Iraq War.   
> Alderman Joe Moore (49th) delivered a powerful denunciation of the  
> cost of war at home.
>
>
>
> 'CAWI, Peace Pledge Chicago and literally hundreds of other peace  
> groups should be proud of their efforts in organizing this positive  
> vote,' Davidson continued.  'But we still have a long way to go.'
>
>
>
> The City Hall rally and march was sponsored by the following: Peace  
> Pledge Chicago, Chicagoans Against War and Injustice, Women for  
> Democracy and Fair Elections, Code Pink Chicago, Gay Liberation  
> Network, 8th Day Center for Justice, Prairie Fire Organizing  
> Committee, American Friends Service Committee, International  
> Solidarity Movement, Tikkun, and others.
>
>
>
> ****
>
> _______________________________
>
>
>
> For more info on CAWI, call 312-822-0505 | Visit the Chicagoans  
> Against War and Injustice website at: http://www.NoIraqWar- 
> chicago.org | Send tax-deductible contributions, made out to Public  
> Action Foundation; to Chicagoans Against War & Injustice, 350 W   
> Hubbard St Suite 200, Chicago IL 60610
>
>
>
> Contact:
>
>
>
> Michael Lynn - Peace Pledge Chicago
>
> 773-860-6969 mlynn at uron.cc
>
>
>
> Carl Davidson - CAWI
>
> 773-384-8827 carld717 at aol.com
>
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