Councilmembers Zerby and Zimmermann will introduce this resolution to the
council tomorrow... Forwarded by David Brauer, list manager
Opposing the use of preemptive military force to overthrow the
government of Iraq.
Whereas, a war in Iraq would cost an estimated $100 billion; and
Whereas, The State of Minnesota could expect to bear a burden of $1.43
billion of this amount; and
Whereas, a household in Minneapolis, earning the median income paid
$1,982 in federal individual income taxes in 2001; and
Whereas, These costs, especially during times of record state budget
deficits, make a war in Iraq a local issue that affects every household in
Minneapolis; and
Whereas, The City of Minneapolis receives approximately $22 million each
year in Community Development Block Grant funds; and
Whereas, These funds could be reduced or eliminated to finance a war in
Iraq; and
Whereas, homeland security is a vital need for our country, yet
according to a recent National League of Cities report less than half of the
municipalities surveyed were prepared to handle major terrorist attacks, and
a war against Iraq could drain needed resources from prevention of terrorist
attacks at home; and
Whereas, at least thirty six other cities, including such cities as
Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle have approved
anti-war resolutions; and
Whereas, A long war against, and occupation of, Iraq could place strains
on the personnel resources of the United States military; and
Whereas, a war would disproportionately affect minorities, and according
to the 2000 census, minorities constitute 35% of residents of the City of
Minneapolis; and
Whereas, These costs, both economic and social, would affect every
household in the City of Minneapolis, making the war a local issue; and
Whereas, real homeland security requires pursuing basic needs of the
American people such as health care for all, guaranteed education and job
training, adequate and affordable housing, transportation systems that do
not poison the atmosphere or depend on foreign oil, and a decentralized,
sustainable, non-polluting energy system that is not vulnerable to terrorist
attack; and
Whereas, there are serious questions about the moral legitimacy of a
preemptive, unilateral use of military force to overthrow the government of
Iraq; and
Whereas, there is a lack of clear and adequate evidence of Iraqi
involvement in the attacks of September 11, or that Iraq poses a serious
imminent threat to the United States; and
Whereas, war in Iraq could have unpredictable consequences not only for
Iraq, but also for peace and stability throughout the Middle East and for
the United States; and
Whereas, a United States war against Iraq would demonstrate blatant
disregard for international law; and
Whereas, our nation should build international support for more
constructive and effective approaches to press the Iraqi government to live
up to its international obligations, including continued diplomatic efforts
to resume rigorous, meaningful inspections; effective enforcement of the
military embargo, maintenance of political sanctions and much more carefully
focused economic sanctions which do not threaten the lives of innocent Iraqi
civilians; and non-military support for those in Iraq who offer genuine
democratic alternatives;
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by The City Council of The City of
Minneapolis:
That the City of Minneapolis opposes the use of preemptive military
force to overthrow the government of Iraq, and encourages the federal
government to actively pursue nonviolent alternatives to war.
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