OAK PARK COALITION FOR
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Oak Park Village Resolution Against Pre-Emptive War

Whereas the Constitution of the United States expressly states: "all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States shall be the supreme Law of the Land" (Article VI); and

Whereas the Charter of the United Nations, which is itself a Treaty signed and ratified by the United States expressly states:

All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.

All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations (Article 2).

Whereas both the constitutional guarantees and the democratic traditions of the United States affirm the right of petition by the people to our government;

Now, therefore be it resolved that the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Oak Park, IL, representing the will of the People of Oak Park, do hereby petition and convey to the President of the United States:

• That, we recognize the duty of the President of the United States and Congress to protect our country from foreign military actions. However, we oppose this initiation of preemptive war as an instrument of public policy for the United States, since it is inconsistent with our values as a people who honor peace; and

• That efforts at peaceful resolution of this conflict have not yet been exhausted, and unless there is a compelling and immediate threat, the initiation of war is unwarranted; and

• That war, with its obvious potential for loss of life on both sides leaves a legacy of sorrow and animosity throughout the world, and that we concur with the leaders of many faith traditions in the United States who have declared this war to be unjust; and

• That we petition the President and the Congress of the United States to pursue a policy aimed at reducing conflict, finding common ground, and respecting the human rights, political rights, and legal rights of peoples around the world; and

• That this resolution also recognizes and honors the bravery and sacrifice of our troops in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be conveyed to the Honorable Danny Davis, the Honorable Peter Fitzgerald, and the Honorable Richard Durbin as our representatives in the Congress of the United States.

This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption and approval as provided by law. This resolution shall also permit the affixing of signatures of individual citizens of the Village of Oak Park in the conveyance of same.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 10th day of February, 2003

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