By Daily Press staff
Hundreds of activists are expected to show up at City Hall tonight to urge the City Council to take a stand against the impending war in Iraq.
Anti-war activists, students, parents, educators, religious leaders and concerned citizens plan to hold a rally and press conference on the steps of Santa Monica City Hall at 5:30 p.m. today in an effort to convince the council that it should officially oppose the war. At least 60 cities across the country already have taken a stand against the war.
Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McKeown has placed a resolution on tonight’s meeting agenda that requests the council go on record opposing the possible war with Iraq because of numerous negative local impacts. A similar resolution was presented in November but no action was taken.
Also on the council’s agenda is an item requested by McKeown and Councilman Ken Genser “that in response to the USA Patriot Act the council adopt a resolution affirming Santa Monica’s commitment to civil liberties and supporting unabrogated city protection of Constitutional rights.”
City Hall is located at 1685 Main Street, between Colorado Avenue and Pico Boulevard. The rally will take place just before the City Council meeting, which begins at about 5:45 p.m.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 11, 2003. Read the original PDF.