Municipal Response to Federal Lawlessness

This is the full text of the resolution passed by the Arcata, CA City Council on May 4, 2005. For GuvWurld commentary, click HERE. Thanks to Councilmember Dave Meserve for supplying this document, and infinitely more so for his courageous and determined leadership.

RESOLUTION NO. 045-52
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCATA
MUNICIPAL RESPONSE TO FEDERAL LAWLESSNESS
Whereas, a large majority of Arcata residents oppose the war on Iraq for one or more of the following reasons:

The war is ill-advised and unnecessary.
The war is based on lies.
The war is illegal.
The war is immoral.
The war does not increase our national security.

Whereas, the cost of the war in dollars is a root cause of local economic hardships.

Whereas, the human cost of the war is unacceptable.

Whereas, issues of local and global importance are intimately linked, and the City Council is our most locally accessible governmental body and the most direct political connection between individuals and the federal government.

Therefore be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Arcata budgets $1000 annually (which amounts to approximately one penny for every person killed in Iraq as a result of the US invasion, currently estimated at over 100,000 civilian deaths and over 1500 American military deaths) to be used as outlined below.

Be it further resolved that The City Council of the City of Arcata commits itself to do anything within its power to influence the Federal Government to end immediately the American occupation of Iraq.

Be it further resolved that The City Council of the City of Arcata supports those enlisted men and women who are currently serving in Iraq by repeating its demand for the immediate withdrawal of all troops; and the Council commits itself to support, in any way within its power, both those residents who have returned from serving in Iraq and those who have refused to serve for moral or legal reasons;

Be it further resolved that The City Council of the City of Arcata will consider placing a measure on a future city-wide ballot, asking voters if Arcata should be declared a sanctuary for those who refuse to participate in war.

Be it further resolved that The City Council of the City of Arcata will take the steps necessary to expand the mandate of the Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Commission to include “Promoting peace locally and globally”, to rename the Commission as the “Nuclear Weapons Free Zone and Peace Commission”, and to empower the Commission to use the additional $1000 budget allocation, as they are able within budget and time constraints, to:

• Inform troops returning to Arcata from foreign duty about locally available services.
  
• Inform resident members of the armed forces about access to free legal advice and counsel for those who are considering refusal, or who have already refused to serve in the war on Iraq or other wars.
  
• Work with local school boards and Humboldt State University to limit access of military recruiters to school and college campuses, and to provide equal time for views offering alternatives to military service.

Be it further resolved that The City Council of the City of Arcata will provide ongoing opportunities for public discussion of current issues by sponsoring regular Town Hall Meetings at our public facilities.