Berkeley, CA says "NO"
The city council of Berkeley, California, has adopted a resolution opposing the use of military force against Iran.
During a short break in the council meeting, Berkeley’s mayor, Tom Bates, left to attend a gathering of Iranian-Americans, who comprise a large community in California.
Thousands of Iranians were celebrating the Persian tradition of "Chaharshanbeh Souri” at the Persian Cultural Center.
Mayor Bates spoke to the crowd, expressing his opposition to war with Iran. "The city was very much against the invasion of Iraq before the U.S. attack," he said.
City council member Max Anderson also spoke, and condemned the Bush regime for its aggression.
Other cities appear to be following suit. Next Wednesday, the city council of Portland, Oregon will consider a resolution in support of friendship between Iran and the United States.
"You have to win the hearts and minds of people," said Bekeley mayor Bates. "Occupying countries just does not work in the long term."
Niloofar Mohtasham-Nouri is founder and board member of the Persian Center, a major cultural organization in California. "It is of utmost significance to have politicians and people of the U.S. show solidarity with Iranian-Americans,” she said, “and join in the celebrations, and show a united and universal front for peace -- which can only be achieved through education and understanding."
The Berkeley city council praised California Congresswoman Barbara Lee for sponsoring House Resolution 770, which seeks to cut off funds for Bush's coming attack on Iran. ( Unfortunately H.R. 770 also applauded the U.N. General Assembly for denouncing Holocaust denial. –AZ )
The Berkeley city council also drafted a letter to Nancy Pelosi, requesting that Congress restrict funding for any attack against Iran.
Berkeley is well known in the United States for its free speech movement in the 1960s and early 1970s, when the issues of racial justice and the Vietnam War absorbed the nation.
During the last few months, many anti-war meetings have been held in Berkeley.
Source:
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=36972
