Resolution outlines negative impacts the war will have
By Daily Press staff
More than 100 people showed up on the steps of City Hall Tuesday, urging the Santa Monica City Council to pass a resolution opposing the impending war in Iraq.
A resolution drafted by Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McKeown, which spells out seven reasons why the United States shouldn’t instigate a military attack against Iraq, was expected to be voted on by the City Council during its Tuesday meeting. That vote had not taken place by presstime.
The anti-war rally’s speakers included Ron Kovic, a Vietnam veteran and author of “Born on the Fourth of July,” who told the group that the City Council has a responsibility to take a stand against the war and it is very much a local issue.
The resolution states that the government has estimated that a war could cost from $60 to $200 billion, which doesn’t include a post-war occupation. That would result in less federal funding for education, health care, transportation, job training, housing and environmental concerns in a time of increasing need for Santa Monica residents, the resolution states.
It is also written that at an estimated $100 billion, a war will cost the state of California at least $10.1 billion in individual income taxes and the City of Santa Monica $36.1 million during a time when the state already suffers from at least a $25 billion deficit.
More than 70 cities and counties in the United States have taken a stand against a preemptive military action against Iraq, the resolution states.
The resolution also says that a war is expected by the CIA to provoke terrorist attacks within the United States, putting Santa Monica lives at risk and generating emergency responses by local hospitals and other emergency personnel that will tax local resources. It goes on to say that a war would likely result in a loss of visitor and tourist dollars, which is important to Santa Monica’s city revenues. A war would also result in the death of military causalities, including United States and possibly Santa Monica service men and women, the resolution states.
The resolution calls for the United States to work through the United Nations to renew its arms inspections, assure Iraqi compliance and oppose unprovoked unilateral first-strike military action.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 12, 2003. Read the original PDF.