[Peace] FW: Chicago Votes Against War

Fri Jan 17 16:49:29 CST 2003

If they can do this in Chicago, should it not
be possible in Urbana and/or Champaign as well.

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Von: portsideMod at netscape.net
Antworten an: portside at yahoogroups.com
Datum: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 18:29:06 -0500
An: portside at yahoogroups.com
Betreff: Chicago Votes Against War

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.

___________________________________________________________

Chicago Tribune
January 16, 2003

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-030116coun
cil,1,6078693.story?coll=chi%2Dnews%2Dhed

Council seats gay alderman; opposes Iraq attack

By Gary Washburn Tribune staff reporter

The Chicago City Council made history today by seating
a North Side restaurateur as the city's first openly
gay alderman. It also passed a resolution opposing a
pre-emptive attack on Iraq unless that nation poses an
imminent threat to the United States.

In a 41-0 vote, aldermen confirmed Mayor Richard
Daley's nomination of Tom Tunney to the vacant position
of 44th Ward alderman.

Ald. Eugene Schulter (47th) said Tunney's appointment
"recognizes the vast array of diversity" in the city.

In remarks after the vote, Tunney applauded the gay and
lesbian, cross-gendered and bisexual community "whose
commitment to change" made possible his appointment. He
added he intends to serve all of his constituents,
including senior citizens, small business owners, young
families and young singles.

Tunney will go into the Feb. 25 election against a
field that includes Rick Ingram, a lawyer who also is
openly gay. The 44th Ward includes Lakeview and the
area surrounding Wrigley Field.

The new alderman is a graduate of Brother Rice High
School and the University of Illinois and has a
master's degree in hotel-restaurant administration from
Cornell University. He has said he plans to be a full-
time alderman and would sell his interests in four Ann
Sather restaurants to family members.

Though Tunney is the city's first gay legislator, gay
elected officials have served in Washington for years,
and state Rep. Larry McKeon (D-Chicago) was elected to
the General Assembly in 1996.

Separately, aldermen vote 45-1 to approve a resolution
that puts the city on record as opposing an attack on
Iraq "unless it is demonstrated that Iraq poses a real
and imminent threat" to U.S. security.

The lone "no" vote was cast by Ald. James Balcer
(11th). Balcer has said he agreed with "96 percent" of
the resolution but objected to the measure's suggestion
Iraq does not already pose a threat.

Before the vote, aldermen talked about the huge cost of
waging war.

"Where will the money come from? From an increase in
taxes? Of course not. No, the war will be financed by
deficit spending and drastic cuts in domestic funding,"
said Ald. Joe Moore (49th), a co-sponsor of the
measure. 

Copyright © 2003, Chicago Tribune

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