Resolution supporters enter city hall.

Proposed RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SANTA MONICA OPPOSING UNITED STATES PREEMPTIVE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ

WHEREAS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ESTIMATED THAT A WAR WOULD COST FROM 60 TO 200 BILLION DOLLARS, NOT INCLUDING A POST-WAR OCCUPATION, RESULTING IN LESS FEDERAL FUNDING FOR EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, TRANSPORTATION, JOB TRAINING, HOUSING, AND ENVIROMENTAL CONCERNS IA A TIME OF INCREASING NEED FOR RESIDENTS OF SANTA MONICA; AND

WHEREAS, AT 0 BILLION, AS CALCULATED BY THE NATIONAL PRIORTIES PROJECT, A WAR WILL COST THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT 10.1 BILLION IN INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAXES, AND THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA .1 MILION, AT A TIME WHEN THE STATE ALREADY SUFFERS FROM AT LEAST A BILLION DEFICIT, FUTHER DECREASING AVAILABLE FUNDS TO SUPPORT LOCAL NEEDS; AND

WHERAS, AS OF FEBURARY 11, 2003, MORE THAN 70 UNITED STATES CITIES AND COUNTIES, ALONG WITH THE MAINE AND HAWAIIAN HOUSE OF REPRESENATIVES, HAVE TAKEN A STAND AGAINST A PREMPTIVE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ; AND

WHERAS, A WAR IS EXPECTED BY THE CIA TO PROVOKE TERRORIST ATTACKS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, PUTTING SANTA MONICA LIVES AT GRAVE RISK AND GENERATING EMERGENCY RESPONSES BY LOCAL HOSPITALS AND OTHER EMERGENCY PERSONNEL THAT WILL TAX LOCAL RESOURCES; AND

WHERAS, A WAR WOULD LIKELY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VISITOR AND TOURISTS DOLLARS, AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF SANTA MONICA CITY REVENUE; AND

WHERAS, A WAR WOULD RESULT IN MILITARY CASUALTIES, INCLUDING UNITED STATES AND LIKELY, SANTA MONICA SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN. ADDITIONAL, A WAR WOULD RESULT IN WIDESPREAD ENVIROMENTAL DESTRUCTION; AND

WHERAS, THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA HAS SOUGHT TO PROMOTE NONVIOLENCE AMONG ITS YOUNG.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA SUPPORTS HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 473 CALLING FOR THE UNITED STATES TO WORK THROUGH THE UNITED NATIONS TO RENEW ARMS INSPECTIONS, ASSURE IRAQI COMPLIANCE WITH UNITED NATION RESOLUTION, OPPOSE UNPROVOKED UNILATERAL FIRST STRIKE MILITARY ACTION AND COMMUNICATE OUR SUPPORT TO THE PRESIDENT, THE CONGRESS AND THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS AS WELL AS TO SENATOR BOXER AND FEINSTEIN AND CONGRESS MEMBER WAXMAN.

Peace advocate and Vietnam Veteran, Ron Kovic addresses the council. Ron wrote “Born on the Fourth of July” right here in Santa Monica.

Mayor Richard Bloom (left) and Ken Genser (center left) listen as Pam O’Connor (right) presents reasons for a no vote. The resolution passed 5 to 2.

The words of area youth helped sway long time council member Herb Katz to vote in favor of the resolution

Mayor Pro Tem, Kevin McKeown (right) introduced the anti war resolution.

Of note: The Santa Monica Library has refused to provide patron records to the FBI. In response to this USA Patriot Act assault, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown and Council-member Genser put before the Council a resolution affirming Santa Monica’s commitment to civil liberties and supporting unabrogated City protection for Constitutional rights.