Home News Tribune Op/Ed
November 6, 2008
By: Ryan Olander
Rutgers students and community members involved with the student organization Rutgers Against the War, or RAW, have undertaken the arduous task of pressuring the Board of Governors to divest from those companies who profit from the illegal and unjust occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.
RAW members obtained the list of companies in which Rutgers is invested. It should dismay everyone to know that the state's educational institution paid for its computers, chalk, microscopes and faculty salaries with money that was soaked in the blood of many innocent Iraqis, Afghanis, Pakistanis and Syrians. These companies include: Raytheon, DynCorp, Halliburton, and L-3 Communications.
After the discovery of Rutgers' profits from the above-named companies and eight other war profiteers, RAW members wasted no time. They began drafting a proposal to present to the Board of Governors imploring the university to divest all monies in these companies, disseminated many petitions for divestment and networked widely with other student unions and organizations, garnering many endorsements for the divestment campaign. It should be noted that the current campaign is modeled after the successful Rutgers South African divestment campaign that gained notoriety in the 1980s. I was astounded to find out that this divestment campaign recently tripled in size with Rutgers-Camden and Rutgers-Newark also beginning active divestment work on their campuses.
New Jersey residents should show their disgust for our state university's value of profits over justice, life and liberty — a sad trend engulfing the American political system and its policies and now creeping into its great beacons of learning. Please be prepared to stand in solidarity with Rutgers students throughout their struggle to make their university live up to an ethical standard to which its students and American citizens at large adhere with steadfast dedication.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
In defense of divestment
In defense of divestment
Rutgers Daily Targum
Allie Graham
Published: Sunday, October 26, 2008
Updated: Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Targum published an editorial last Thursday that expressed hesitation at Rutgers Against the War’s divestment campaign. The editorial objected that some of these 12 companies targeted by the campaign, specifically General Electric and Caterpillar are not strictly “military contracting firms.” While these corporations do have many and varied subsidiaries, the editorialists seem to say that this makes the corporations not responsible for their subsidiaries. General Electric builds engines for military aircraft, drones, tanks and ships on a scale that makes it one of the world’s largest arms manufacturers. Caterpillar produces a wide array of military vehicles including the specific adaptable bulldozers that are used in Iraq and Palestine for reprisal attacks on homes. We don’t accept that the people responsible should be able to hide behind complex ownership arrangements, as Haliburton has attempted to do.Not all of these corporations have been consistently profitable. Stock in Boeing, a self-described military contractor, recently fell 38 percent, and Caterpillar has seen its growth slow. We would like very much to be able to give a more definitive answer to this very important question regarding the specifics of divestment, but our hands are tied by the lack of transparency in Rutgers University’s financial arrangements. While we have written a proposal that explains our requests and reasoning, we can’t make concrete proposals without more detailed information and making this information available to the University community and ourselves is also a key element of our campaign. Rutgers has a history of divestment. In the 1980s, Rutgers was one of the first universities to divest from South Africa, and in 2006, Rutgers divested from companies that do business in the Sudan. We think that this experience shows that divestment is a useful and affordable option, and that the situation in Iraq makes it morally imperative as well.
Allie Graham is a School of Communication, Information and Library Studies graduate student and a member of Rutgers Against the War.
Rutgers Daily Targum
Allie Graham
Published: Sunday, October 26, 2008
Updated: Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Targum published an editorial last Thursday that expressed hesitation at Rutgers Against the War’s divestment campaign. The editorial objected that some of these 12 companies targeted by the campaign, specifically General Electric and Caterpillar are not strictly “military contracting firms.” While these corporations do have many and varied subsidiaries, the editorialists seem to say that this makes the corporations not responsible for their subsidiaries. General Electric builds engines for military aircraft, drones, tanks and ships on a scale that makes it one of the world’s largest arms manufacturers. Caterpillar produces a wide array of military vehicles including the specific adaptable bulldozers that are used in Iraq and Palestine for reprisal attacks on homes. We don’t accept that the people responsible should be able to hide behind complex ownership arrangements, as Haliburton has attempted to do.Not all of these corporations have been consistently profitable. Stock in Boeing, a self-described military contractor, recently fell 38 percent, and Caterpillar has seen its growth slow. We would like very much to be able to give a more definitive answer to this very important question regarding the specifics of divestment, but our hands are tied by the lack of transparency in Rutgers University’s financial arrangements. While we have written a proposal that explains our requests and reasoning, we can’t make concrete proposals without more detailed information and making this information available to the University community and ourselves is also a key element of our campaign. Rutgers has a history of divestment. In the 1980s, Rutgers was one of the first universities to divest from South Africa, and in 2006, Rutgers divested from companies that do business in the Sudan. We think that this experience shows that divestment is a useful and affordable option, and that the situation in Iraq makes it morally imperative as well.
Allie Graham is a School of Communication, Information and Library Studies graduate student and a member of Rutgers Against the War.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Campus Antiwar Network Offers An Alternative Education For Students and Youth In The Streets Of Sector 6
The Republicans have conveniently decided to hold their convention during the first week of school. So to take advantage of the amazing learning opportunity, CAN wants students and youth to converge on Sector 6 of the RNC Welcoming Committee's map to receive an alternate education in a wide array of topics.
Politics: What happens when a large amount of committed young people act as a catalyst for change?
History: Living History on September 1, 2008: The day the Republican National Convention was shut down
Urban Planning 201: Identify infrastructure failings in St Paul and strategically assess them; hands on experience blocking roads. What happens when traffic comes to a stand still?
Engineering: Construction of semi-permanent and permanent structures Drivers Education: yielding to pedestrians in the streets
Theater 101: Guerilla theater Home Economics: Making effective household compounds to nullify pepper spray and other police weapons
Spanish: Discover the meaning of "Ya Basta" Physical Education 101: "Giving the pigs a workout". Make sure to bring your running shoes!!!
Music: Recitation of the "Teargas Song"
Cinema 101: Direct your own film on Police Brutality and People Power
Psychology: Teach the meaning of "Ochlophobia"
Many of these classes are taught through the use of group work, so come ready to learn and participate!
-----------------------------------------------
On Labor Day, the Campus Anti-war Network (CAN) will be sending a mobile blockade brigade to the streets of St. Paul, Minnesota. We are coming to demand an end to the wars waged on Iraq, Afghanistan, and our futures. We are coming to demand that student voices for peace be heard in a political system that excludes us. We are coming in solidarity with the RNC Welcoming Committee. We are coming to crash the convention. Business cannot continue as usual while our futures, and the futures of our brothers and sisters, are condemned for us.
These are their wars-- But We Will Show That We Control the Streets!
We recognize the damage to our futures the current wars are causing and we recognize that both political parties are complicit in them. We refuse to be cannon fodder for the wars of the rich. As tuition and the cost of the wars rise, so do our voices. As our job prospects and the reins on US imperialism fall, so does our patience decline. We encourage all students and youth to join us. The disruption of the RNC is only one part of what we do. We recognize the need to build up as the war machine tears down.
http://www.campusantiwar.net/
http://www.nornc.org/
Politics: What happens when a large amount of committed young people act as a catalyst for change?
History: Living History on September 1, 2008: The day the Republican National Convention was shut down
Urban Planning 201: Identify infrastructure failings in St Paul and strategically assess them; hands on experience blocking roads. What happens when traffic comes to a stand still?
Engineering: Construction of semi-permanent and permanent structures Drivers Education: yielding to pedestrians in the streets
Theater 101: Guerilla theater Home Economics: Making effective household compounds to nullify pepper spray and other police weapons
Spanish: Discover the meaning of "Ya Basta" Physical Education 101: "Giving the pigs a workout". Make sure to bring your running shoes!!!
Music: Recitation of the "Teargas Song"
Cinema 101: Direct your own film on Police Brutality and People Power
Psychology: Teach the meaning of "Ochlophobia"
Many of these classes are taught through the use of group work, so come ready to learn and participate!
-----------------------------------------------
On Labor Day, the Campus Anti-war Network (CAN) will be sending a mobile blockade brigade to the streets of St. Paul, Minnesota. We are coming to demand an end to the wars waged on Iraq, Afghanistan, and our futures. We are coming to demand that student voices for peace be heard in a political system that excludes us. We are coming in solidarity with the RNC Welcoming Committee. We are coming to crash the convention. Business cannot continue as usual while our futures, and the futures of our brothers and sisters, are condemned for us.
These are their wars-- But We Will Show That We Control the Streets!
We recognize the damage to our futures the current wars are causing and we recognize that both political parties are complicit in them. We refuse to be cannon fodder for the wars of the rich. As tuition and the cost of the wars rise, so do our voices. As our job prospects and the reins on US imperialism fall, so does our patience decline. We encourage all students and youth to join us. The disruption of the RNC is only one part of what we do. We recognize the need to build up as the war machine tears down.
http://www.campusantiwar.net/
http://www.nornc.org/
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The National Assembly to End the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and occupations
By: Ian Chinich
I thought that the conference was a complete success in that we came out of it with the knowledge that there is a broad consensus that we will have local demonstrations in the fall and 2 massive national demonstrations (east and west coast) in the spring. We agreed on the basic tenets of “Troops Out Now”, massive united action, and non subjugation to the Democratic Party. There were obviously disagreements on a lot of other issues (political and structural), but we affirmed out understanding on some very key principles and strategies.
The heads of Answer, UFPJ, and Troops Out Now coalitions were there and spoke Saturday night about working together for a massive mobilization in the spring. The head organizer of the west coast longshoremen who was responsible for the may day strike was also there as was one of the head organizers of the Los Angeles immigrants march in 2006 and the 5 million person general strike of undocumented workers and others in solidarity. Iraq Vets Against the War, Vets For Peace, and Military Families Speak Out had reps there. There was a number of different socialist parties (in addition to a bunch of wackos from the sparticus youth and the internationals). Pro Palestine groups were there as were people from war resisters league, Campus Antiwar Network, Students for a Democratic Society, 3 State AFL CIO leaders, some reps from national unions in Canada, as well as many groups from across the country.
It was also good to see Son of Nun perform for the millionth time.
Over the course of the weekend, we talked to many leaders in the movement. Found that there was One interesting story was we came across a former black panther from Chicago. When asked if he knew Fred Hampton, he replied “Yeah I knew him, I am the one that recruited him….. And if he had listened to me and not picked ______ for security minister, he would not be dead right now.
I met the heads of the March on the RNC group. They are really energetic and confident. The workshop was very informative and I interesting enough sat next to leslie cagan (the head of UFPJ). According to her, they are mobilizing for both the RNC and the DNC.
There was a huge debate about when to do a massive mobilization. A vote for fall local demonstrations are set to happen on December 9-14 (after a vote of something close to 94-112). The debates about mobilization questions took a large part of Saturday. Sunday had all the controversial questions (Palestine and Afghanistan being central demands in the antiwar movement.
Palestine came first. The conferences coordinating committee brought a proposal about educating about Palestine. There was another proposal to include it in central messaging. The central messaging resolution won consideration. Afterwards, there was a proposed amendment to take out the mention of “Christian and Jewish Zionist lobbies and the military industrial complex” it failed by 3 votes. The vote was then taken on the resolution and it passed.
There was then a contentious argument on modifying the name of the group as well as the central joint principles to include Afghanistan in every mention of Iraq. It passed. Lastly there was a debate over taking steps to prevent an assault on Iran. Some argued that this would take away energy from Iraq, but it was eventually agreed upon.
A continuation body was then proposed with member groups being given one vote and an administrative council being made to organize the next conference and to do administrative things during the next meeting (not related to points of principle).
The thing that probably saved the day is that the crazy groups/parties didn’t make proposals or argue for amendments. Though I am not sure their changes and ideas would pass, they still didn’t do that.
Criticism: Though CAN and SDS both had speakers, neither came in much force and were unable to largely influence the tone and debate (causing most of the non youth character of the conference in general)
We spent too long with speeches and not enough time actually debating. This became the most clear on the short amount of time we spent debating structure at the end and the fact that we had to vote in the last 5 minutes before the hotels turned people out.
The staff wasn’t strong enough in holding to the rules (allowing once instance where someone from the Internationalists made a point of order and went on a long speech….refusing to get off the mic and pretty much had to be taken out and the mic seized. Another time happened when someone else made a point of order and demanded that the conference was a bourgoise conference and that to prove him wrong we would need to establish that the structure opposed capitalism.
Criticisms aside, it was still really productive, but I guess we will need to see if groups actually do what they said at the conference.
I thought that the conference was a complete success in that we came out of it with the knowledge that there is a broad consensus that we will have local demonstrations in the fall and 2 massive national demonstrations (east and west coast) in the spring. We agreed on the basic tenets of “Troops Out Now”, massive united action, and non subjugation to the Democratic Party. There were obviously disagreements on a lot of other issues (political and structural), but we affirmed out understanding on some very key principles and strategies.
The heads of Answer, UFPJ, and Troops Out Now coalitions were there and spoke Saturday night about working together for a massive mobilization in the spring. The head organizer of the west coast longshoremen who was responsible for the may day strike was also there as was one of the head organizers of the Los Angeles immigrants march in 2006 and the 5 million person general strike of undocumented workers and others in solidarity. Iraq Vets Against the War, Vets For Peace, and Military Families Speak Out had reps there. There was a number of different socialist parties (in addition to a bunch of wackos from the sparticus youth and the internationals). Pro Palestine groups were there as were people from war resisters league, Campus Antiwar Network, Students for a Democratic Society, 3 State AFL CIO leaders, some reps from national unions in Canada, as well as many groups from across the country.
It was also good to see Son of Nun perform for the millionth time.
Over the course of the weekend, we talked to many leaders in the movement. Found that there was One interesting story was we came across a former black panther from Chicago. When asked if he knew Fred Hampton, he replied “Yeah I knew him, I am the one that recruited him….. And if he had listened to me and not picked ______ for security minister, he would not be dead right now.
I met the heads of the March on the RNC group. They are really energetic and confident. The workshop was very informative and I interesting enough sat next to leslie cagan (the head of UFPJ). According to her, they are mobilizing for both the RNC and the DNC.
There was a huge debate about when to do a massive mobilization. A vote for fall local demonstrations are set to happen on December 9-14 (after a vote of something close to 94-112). The debates about mobilization questions took a large part of Saturday. Sunday had all the controversial questions (Palestine and Afghanistan being central demands in the antiwar movement.
Palestine came first. The conferences coordinating committee brought a proposal about educating about Palestine. There was another proposal to include it in central messaging. The central messaging resolution won consideration. Afterwards, there was a proposed amendment to take out the mention of “Christian and Jewish Zionist lobbies and the military industrial complex” it failed by 3 votes. The vote was then taken on the resolution and it passed.
There was then a contentious argument on modifying the name of the group as well as the central joint principles to include Afghanistan in every mention of Iraq. It passed. Lastly there was a debate over taking steps to prevent an assault on Iran. Some argued that this would take away energy from Iraq, but it was eventually agreed upon.
A continuation body was then proposed with member groups being given one vote and an administrative council being made to organize the next conference and to do administrative things during the next meeting (not related to points of principle).
The thing that probably saved the day is that the crazy groups/parties didn’t make proposals or argue for amendments. Though I am not sure their changes and ideas would pass, they still didn’t do that.
Criticism: Though CAN and SDS both had speakers, neither came in much force and were unable to largely influence the tone and debate (causing most of the non youth character of the conference in general)
We spent too long with speeches and not enough time actually debating. This became the most clear on the short amount of time we spent debating structure at the end and the fact that we had to vote in the last 5 minutes before the hotels turned people out.
The staff wasn’t strong enough in holding to the rules (allowing once instance where someone from the Internationalists made a point of order and went on a long speech….refusing to get off the mic and pretty much had to be taken out and the mic seized. Another time happened when someone else made a point of order and demanded that the conference was a bourgoise conference and that to prove him wrong we would need to establish that the structure opposed capitalism.
Criticisms aside, it was still really productive, but I guess we will need to see if groups actually do what they said at the conference.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Anti-war activists and Obama supporters show up at McCain rally
Earlier today, several members of RAW traveled down to Pemberton, New Jersey, where a McCain rally took place at Burlington County College. A small demonstration took place at the side of the road prior to the event, with people holding signs such as "Obama '08," "NJ Says Troops Out," "Hey MCain, you can't hide, we charge you with genocide," and a giant banner reading "We Stand Against Imperialism." There were some honks of support from passing motorists.
The rally then wrapped up, and several of us managed to make our way inside the rally with our signs. The event was billed as a "town hall," but it was in essence a McCain rally, rather than an opportunity for people of diverse views to show up and ask tough questions of the candidate. McCain answered only about six or seven questions, none of them particularly challenging. He did, however, stumble a bit on questions about energy policy and disability rights legislation. But they were all essentially softballs. A few of us raised our hands many times, planning to grill McCain about his support for the bloody imperial project in the Middle East, but were not called on. When the "town hall meeting" concluded, a lot sooner than we expected it to, we held up our signs and banner and started chanting "troops out now!," and "end the occupation!" People reacted with much hostility. One man angrily shoved RAW member Brian Williams. A pro-McCain student told us to "go fuck [ourselves]." Various people tried to grab our signs and rip them up. We stayed in the room for about twenty minutes after the rally ended, being interviewed by reporters and having some discussions with McCain supporters. One man said that he didn't like anti-war demonstrators because they propose no "realistic" solutions to the problems in the Middle East; I responded that if by "realistic" he means a continued U.S. presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, things will only get worse, and that self-determination and human rights for the people can only be advanced when the troops are withdrawn.
-Alex
photo by John O'Boyle/Star Ledger
The rally then wrapped up, and several of us managed to make our way inside the rally with our signs. The event was billed as a "town hall," but it was in essence a McCain rally, rather than an opportunity for people of diverse views to show up and ask tough questions of the candidate. McCain answered only about six or seven questions, none of them particularly challenging. He did, however, stumble a bit on questions about energy policy and disability rights legislation. But they were all essentially softballs. A few of us raised our hands many times, planning to grill McCain about his support for the bloody imperial project in the Middle East, but were not called on. When the "town hall meeting" concluded, a lot sooner than we expected it to, we held up our signs and banner and started chanting "troops out now!," and "end the occupation!" People reacted with much hostility. One man angrily shoved RAW member Brian Williams. A pro-McCain student told us to "go fuck [ourselves]." Various people tried to grab our signs and rip them up. We stayed in the room for about twenty minutes after the rally ended, being interviewed by reporters and having some discussions with McCain supporters. One man said that he didn't like anti-war demonstrators because they propose no "realistic" solutions to the problems in the Middle East; I responded that if by "realistic" he means a continued U.S. presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, things will only get worse, and that self-determination and human rights for the people can only be advanced when the troops are withdrawn.
-Alex
photo by John O'Boyle/Star Ledger
Friday, May 9, 2008
Dershowitz Welcomed by Protests at Rutgers University
A group of protesters gathered on May 8 in front of the Rutgers University auditorium where Alan Dershowitz was scheduled to speak. He was invited to Rutgers to deliver the key note for the celebration of Israel's 60th anniversary. The protesters, many of whom were involved in Rutgers Against the War/ Campus Antiwar Network, held signs such as "Jews Against the Occupation", "Settlements = Ethnic Cleansing", and "End Israeli Apartheid". Several of the attendees took literature, but many were hostile. After one Jewish protester tried to hand literature to an attendee, the attendee threatened to spit in his face. Likewise, one of the Palestinian protesters encountered racist comments; a woman referred to Palestinians as "those damn Arabs." The highlight of the night was when Dershowitz came out to speak to the protesters. He approached with the police watching and said "Its good you are bringing up the Nakbah because I am going to mention it in my speech. The Nakbah is a self inflicted wound!" Dershowitz then refused to respond to incredulous replies. When asked about his statements supporting torture he offered, "I dont support torture. I believe the government should get a warrant first." He then started to walk away. One of the protesters replied, "Should they get a permit before they bomb Palestinian villages?" Though many of the attendees were old enough to remember the establishment of the state of Israel, they could not ignore the growing size of university-based protests against the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the involvement of an increasing number of supportive American Jews.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
New Brunswick City Council Passes Anti-War Resolution
Rutgers students and community activists packed the city council meeting last night, demanding that it pass a resolution against the war in Iraq, and that use its influence to get the
charges against the Rutgers 3 (Suzan Sanal, Erik Straub, Arwa Ibrahim) dropped. The resolution was passed unanimously, and New Brunswick thus became the fourth city in New Jersey to stand against the war. None of us had expected the council to actually pass the resolution; this was an incredible victory and the perfect culmination of a year of activism against the occupation.
Link: Home New Tribune article
Text of Resolution:
WHEREAS, The City of New Brunswick unequivocally supports the men and women in uniform from New Brunswick and the whole of the United State who are stationed overseas in Iraq. These individuals are making unimaginable sacrifices for their country; and
WHEREAS, The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 was passed by the US 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, This March marked the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, The City Council of New Brunswick expresses its deep opposition to the Bush Administration's continuation of the war in Iraq after its mendacious and deceptive methods of garnering initial support ; and
WHEREAS, The City of New Brunswick mourns and honors the approximately 4,000 Americans who have given their lives; and
WHEREAS, The City of New Brunswick recognizes that the physical, psychological, and emotional injuries inflicted on over a million service people who have served in Iraq cannot at this time be adequately quantified; and
WHEREAS, The City of New Brunswick mourns the indescribable suffering inflicted on the people of Iraq, and
WHEREAS, The City of New Brunswick, like cities throughout the nation relies on support from the federal government to adequately provide for the basic needs of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, The United States Congress has appropriated over $400 billion to fund military operations and Iraqi reconstruction, while a steady decline in Federal Housing and Urban Development grants has been experienced since 2002, the year before the war began; and
WHEREAS, The City of New Brunswick recognizes the necessity of maintaining the basic constitutional rights of its citizens, especially in a time of war.
BE IT HERE BY
RESOLVED, That the City Council of New Brunswick will continue to support the troops currently serving in Iraq and their families; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City Council of New Brunswick will do all it can to help care for those who have been wounded or injured in the line of duty, and support those who are grieving at the loss of a loved one, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City Council of New Brunswick communicates its desire to the members of Congress to end the war in Iraq and draw down the combat troops stationed in that country, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City Council of New Brunswick urges the Federal government to pursue solutions to our country's domestic issues with the same zeal it pursued the invasion of Iraq; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the city Council of New Brunswick will do what it can to support any city residents working to end the War, and be it further
RESOLVED, That Freedom of Speech and freedom of assembly will be staunchly upheld in all cases of peaceful protest in opposition to the War; and be it further
RESOLVED, That at each meeting of the Council, after the Pledge of Allegiance, time is taken to suitably honor those Americans and Iraqis who have lost their lives in the conflict and
communicate information about the continuing fiscal and humanitarian costs to the City of New
Brunswick.
Erik Straub of Tent State/SDS addressing the council (Photo by Tiffany Cheng)
RAW member Suzan Sanal reacting to false claims by the city's lawyer about the events leading up to the March 27th Walkout (Photo by Tiffany Cheng)
charges against the Rutgers 3 (Suzan Sanal, Erik Straub, Arwa Ibrahim) dropped. The resolution was passed unanimously, and New Brunswick thus became the fourth city in New Jersey to stand against the war. None of us had expected the council to actually pass the resolution; this was an incredible victory and the perfect culmination of a year of activism against the occupation.
Link: Home New Tribune article
Text of Resolution:
WHEREAS, The City of New Brunswick unequivocally supports the men and women in uniform from New Brunswick and the whole of the United State who are stationed overseas in Iraq. These individuals are making unimaginable sacrifices for their country; and
WHEREAS, The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 was passed by the US 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, This March marked the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, The City Council of New Brunswick expresses its deep opposition to the Bush Administration's continuation of the war in Iraq after its mendacious and deceptive methods of garnering initial support ; and
WHEREAS, The City of New Brunswick mourns and honors the approximately 4,000 Americans who have given their lives; and
WHEREAS, The City of New Brunswick recognizes that the physical, psychological, and emotional injuries inflicted on over a million service people who have served in Iraq cannot at this time be adequately quantified; and
WHEREAS, The City of New Brunswick mourns the indescribable suffering inflicted on the people of Iraq, and
WHEREAS, The City of New Brunswick, like cities throughout the nation relies on support from the federal government to adequately provide for the basic needs of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, The United States Congress has appropriated over $400 billion to fund military operations and Iraqi reconstruction, while a steady decline in Federal Housing and Urban Development grants has been experienced since 2002, the year before the war began; and
WHEREAS, The City of New Brunswick recognizes the necessity of maintaining the basic constitutional rights of its citizens, especially in a time of war.
BE IT HERE BY
RESOLVED, That the City Council of New Brunswick will continue to support the troops currently serving in Iraq and their families; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City Council of New Brunswick will do all it can to help care for those who have been wounded or injured in the line of duty, and support those who are grieving at the loss of a loved one, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City Council of New Brunswick communicates its desire to the members of Congress to end the war in Iraq and draw down the combat troops stationed in that country, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City Council of New Brunswick urges the Federal government to pursue solutions to our country's domestic issues with the same zeal it pursued the invasion of Iraq; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the city Council of New Brunswick will do what it can to support any city residents working to end the War, and be it further
RESOLVED, That Freedom of Speech and freedom of assembly will be staunchly upheld in all cases of peaceful protest in opposition to the War; and be it further
RESOLVED, That at each meeting of the Council, after the Pledge of Allegiance, time is taken to suitably honor those Americans and Iraqis who have lost their lives in the conflict and
communicate information about the continuing fiscal and humanitarian costs to the City of New
Brunswick.
Erik Straub of Tent State/SDS addressing the council (Photo by Tiffany Cheng)
RAW member Suzan Sanal reacting to false claims by the city's lawyer about the events leading up to the March 27th Walkout (Photo by Tiffany Cheng)
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