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.

Contacts:

Michael Lynn — Peace Pledge Chicago
773-860-6969 mlynn (at) uron.cc

Carl Davidson — CAWI
773-384-8827 carld717 (at) aol.com

 

 

Text of Resolution as Proposed

 

RESOLUTION URGING CESSATION OF COMBAT OPERATIONS
IN IRAQ AND THE RETURN OF U.S. TROOPS

WHEREAS, The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 was passed by the U.S. Congress on October 11, 2002, and that Public Law 107-243 cited Iraq’s possession of weapons of mass destruction as a primary reason for the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq; and

WHEREAS, On January 12, 2005, President Bush officially declared an end to the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, The United States initiated combat operations in Iraq on March 19, 2003; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands of members of the United States Armed Forces have served with honor and distinction in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, More than 1,700 members of the United States Armed Forces have been killed and more than 12,000 members of the Armed Forces have been wounded in substantially accomplishing the stated purpose of the United States of giving the people of Iraq a reasonable opportunity to decide their own future; and

WHEREAS, The United States military occupation of Iraq has placed significant strains on the capacity of the United States Armed Forces, both active duty and reserve and the National Guard.

WHEREAS, The armed forces of Iraq number more than 76,000 troops as of June 8, 2005, and are growing in number and capability daily; and

WHEREAS, The forces of the Iraqi Interior Ministry number more than 92,000 personnel as of June 8, 2005, and are growing in number and capability daily; and

WHEREAS, More than $200 billion has been appropriated by Congress to fund military operations and reconstruction in Iraq, and Chicago residents’ share now exceeds $2.1 billion; and

WHEREAS, The funds spent by Chicago taxpayers on the war and occupation in Iraq could have provided Head Start for one year for 238,056 children; or medical insurance for one year for 1,076,242 children; or 31,147 public school teachers for one year; or 16,183 additional housing units, according to the National Priorities Project; and

WHEREAS, The war and continued occupation have resulted in the devastation of Iraq’s physical and social infrastructure and led to widespread and continuous resistance to U.S. occupation that threatens the lives of Iraqi civilians and the men and women who compose the ranks of U.S. and other occupying forces; and

WHEREAS, The presence of United States forces in Iraq and the alleged torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and other facilities have inflamed anti-American passions in the Muslim world and increased the terrorist threat to United States citizens, both at home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, Polls show that less than half of the American people support the war; and

WHEREAS, Illinois Congresspersons Rush, Lipinski, Emanuel, Davis, Schakowsky, Jackson, Gutierrez, and Costello joined more than 100 other Congresspersons in voting for a House resolution on an Iraq exit strategy; and

WHEREAS, On January 2003, the Chicago City Council passed a resolution 47-1 opposing the war in Iraq prior to its commencing in March 2003; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, That the City Council of the City of Chicago, on behalf of the citizens of Chicago, urges the United States government to immediately commence an orderly and rapid withdrawal of United States military personnel from Iraq; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Council of Chicago, recognizing that the stability of Iraq is crucial to the security of the citizens of Chicago and to all Americans, urges the United States government to provide the people of Iraq with all necessary non-military material aid as shall be necessary for the security of Iraq’s citizens and for the rebuilding of Iraq; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the financial resources used to prosecute the war be redirected to address the urgent needs of America’s great urban centers and the most vulnerable portions of our population, including health, education, and homeland security; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution shall be sent to George W. Bush, President of the United States, and the members of the Illinois Congressional delegation.

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