Group of progressives plan rally calling for impeachment
CITY HALL A coalition of progressive political activists will hold a rally here, urging elected officials to join nearly 90 other cities in calling for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
Leaders of Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Democratic Club and Westside Greens plan to hold the impeachment rally on the steps of City Hall in efforts to catch politicos as they arrive for the evening’s City Council meeting, representatives from the coalition said.
“When our local lawmakers take the oath of office, they pledge to uphold the Constitution,” said Julie Lopez Dad, president of the Democratic Club. “Consequently, we, the people, expect our lawmakers to join us in our efforts to preserve our constitutional rights.
The coalition claims both Bush and Cheney misled the public to wage war on Iraq; issued signing statements to override federal legislation on torture and other issues; approved massive illegal wiretaps in violation of the Fourth Amendment; and suspended habeas corpus and Sixth Amendment due process rights in the indefinite imprisonment and torture of detainees.
Recent polls conducted by Newsweek and Ipsos show 39 percent of Americans favor the impeachment of Bush and Cheney, while 55 percent are opposed. Peace activist Jerry Rubin made an attempt earlier this year to have the issue discussed by the council, however, it was never placed on the agenda. Mayor Richard Bloom, who is charged with setting meeting agendas, said the impeachment of the president did not fall under the council’s purview.
The council has passed resolutions opposing the war in Iraq and the Patriot Act.
“Unless we demand accountability by calling for impeachment, there will be no limits to executive power.”
“We want our City Council to speak out for Santa Monicans and demand accountability through investigations into impeachment.” — said Ellis Perlman, a Santa Monica resident
“There can no longer be any question that this war and the malfeasance of the president are local issues,”
Those supporting the grass-roots effort said impeachment should be discussed in light of a recent report issued by the city’s finance department that referenced figures from the Web site www.costofwar.com, which showed that the Iraq war has cost Santa Monica taxpayers at least $145 million.
Councilman Kevin McKeown, who requested the report, pointed out in an interview with the Daily Press that the war has undoubtedly cost Santa Monica even more resources in terms of emergency National Guard troops being diverted to Iraq, lost productivity from local soldiers sent to war and money that could instead be invested in public education, social services and affordable housing.
Activists want Santa Monica and other cities to encourage the California legislature to pass its own impeachment resolution, which can then be submitted to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration by the full House of Representatives. In recent interviews, House Judiciary Chair John Conyers (D-MI) said he supports the nationwide impeachment movement.
While many Council members expressed their personal opposition to the war and President Bush’s policies both here and abroad, they agreed Council should stay focused on priorities closer to home, such as passing a balanced budget or charting the course of future development.
“I think as a council we shouldn’t get into it,” said Mayor Pro Tem Herb Katz, who works with the mayor and city manager in developing council agendas. “Personally, I think they should impeach him. He’s the worst president we’ve ever had. I think the man is absolutely dangerous.”
Council member Pam O’Connor said many issues that go before Congress affect Santa Monica, however, that does not mean the council should be speaking out on every single one of them, not when there are more pressing issues facing Santa Monicans. O’Connor said it would be better if residents contacted their elected officials at the federal level whose duties are to investigate the executive branch.
“It’s ironic that the Greens are involved in this,” O’Connor said. “If they wouldn’t have ran a candidate in (the 2000 election), Bush probably wouldn’t be there... If there are concerns about the war in Iraq, I think there are better ways to pressure getting out of Iraq and getting a good president elected (than pushing for impeachment).”
The impeachment rally is slated for 5 p.m. at City Hall (1685 Main St.)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 19, 2007. Read the original PDF.