Question: Who Can Tell Me About "Cities for Progress"?

[Stephanie]

Does anyone know who they are affiliated with? Isn't UFPJ also doing a peace resolution campaign? I know some cities are doing this but I don't know if they are all adopting the same resolution or what. I don't think NYC has done this. Did SF do it? Sorry so many questions! I think New York should do this.

http://www.citiesforprogress.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=41

About Cites for Progress PDF Print E-mail
Cities for Progress is a project of the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C.

We are a growing network of locally-elected officials and community-based activists working together for social change. We are a network that incorporates local, national and global approches to issues that affect us in our own communities. Following in the footsteps of Cities for Peace local resolutions prior to the Iraq war in which almost 200 cities and towns expressed their concerns about local costs of such a war, Cities for Progress is taking on other issues including Universal Healthcare and opposing Wal-Mart expansion.

Our vision is one of creating national change at the local level. Through resolution campaigns such as the Cities for Peace campaign, the Bill of Rights campaign, Living Wage campaigns and others, we feel the strength and power of locally-elected officials and citizens changing communities and indeed national consciousness as we work together, forcing our collective voices to be heard in the national media and on Capitol Hill.

Please pass the information about Cities for Progress on to any locally-elected officials and community activists and citizens whom you think would be an asset to this network. We are looking forward to working with you in creative and surprising ways to change things in your communities, in this country and with ripple effects internationally.

http://www.citiesforprogress.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96

http://citiesforprogress.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=111

Chicago, IL PDF Print E-mail

On September 14, 2005, Chicago approved a resolution calling for an "immediate and orderly withdrawal"

from Iraq by a vote of 29-9.

Resolution

RESOLUTION URGING CESSATION OF COMBAT OPERATIONS

IN IRAQ AND THE RETURN OF U.S. TROOPS

WHEREAS, The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 was passed by the

U.S. 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, The United States initiated combat operations in Iraq on March 19, 2003; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands of members of the United States Armed Forces have served with honor and

distinction in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, More than 1,700 members of the United States Armed Forces have been killed and more than

12,000 members of the Armed Forces have been wounded in substantially accomplishing the stated purpose

of the United States of giving the people of Iraq a reasonable opportunity to decide their own future;

and

WHEREAS, The United States military occupation of Iraq has placed significant strains on the capacity

of the United States Armed Forces, both active duty and reserve and the National Guard.

WHEREAS, The armed forces of Iraq number more than 76,000 troops as of June 8, 2005, and are growing

in number and capability daily; and

WHEREAS, The forces of the Iraqi Interior Ministry number more than 92,000 personnel as of June 8,

2005, and are growing in number and capability daily; and

WHEREAS, More than $200 billion has been appropriated by Congress to fund military operations and

reconstruction in Iraq, and Chicago residents’ share now exceeds $2.1 billion; and

WHEREAS, The funds spent by Chicago taxpayers on the war and occupation in Iraq could have provided

Head Start for one year for 238,056 children; or medical insurance for one year for 1,076,242

children; or 31,147 public school teachers for one year; or 16,183 additional housing units, according

to the National Priorities Project; and

WHEREAS, The war and continued occupation have resulted in the devastation of Iraq’s physical and

social infrastructure and led to widespread and continuous resistance to U.S. occupation that

threatens the lives of Iraqi civilians and the men and women who compose the ranks of U.S. and other

occupying forces; and

WHEREAS, The presence of United States forces in Iraq and the alleged torture of prisoners at Abu

Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and other facilities have inflamed anti-American passions in the Muslim

world and increased the terrorist threat to United States citizens, both at home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, Polls show that less than half of the American people support the war; and

WHEREAS, Illinois Congresspersons Rush, Lipinski, Emanuel, Davis, Schakowsky, Jackson, Gutierrez, and

Costello joined more than 100 other Congresspersons in voting for a House resolution on an Iraq exit

strategy; and

WHEREAS, On January 2003, the Chicago City Council passed a resolution 47-1 opposing the war in Iraq

prior to its commencing in March 2003; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, That the City Council of the City of Chicago, on behalf of the citizens of Chicago,

urges the United States government to immediately commence an orderly and rapid withdrawal of United

States military personnel from Iraq; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Council of Chicago, recognizing that the stability of Iraq is

crucial to the security of the citizens of Chicago and to all Americans, urges the United States

government to provide the people of Iraq with all necessary non-military material aid as shall be

necessary for the security of Iraq’s citizens and for the rebuilding of Iraq; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the financial resources used to prosecute the war be redirected to

address the urgent needs of America’s great urban centers and the most vulnerable portions of our

population, including health, education, and homeland security; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution shall be sent to George W. Bush,

President of the United States, and the members of the Illinois Congressional delegation.

[Stephanie]

1. good morning