San Francisco resolution calls on Congress
to secure immediate withdrawal
of U.S. troops from Iraq

A resolution calling on the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq was heard today in a special meeting of the Budget and Finance Committee. The resolution was authored by Supervisor Chris Daly (left) and co-sponsored by Supervisors Bevan Dufty (right),
Tom Ammiano and Ross Mirkarimi.
Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

By Luke Thomas

March 12, 2007

A resolution calling on Congress to exercise its constitutional authority to revoke the United States' commitment of military forces in Iraq, and to set in motion the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops, was heard in a special meeting of the City of San Francisco Budget and Finance Committee today.

Authored by Supervisor Chris Daly and co-sponsored by Supervisors Tom Ammiano, Bevan Dufty and Ross Mirkarimi, the largely symbolic resolution calls on Congress to "discontinue funding for ongoing military operations" and requests Congress to hold the Bush administration to account for its "total failure in Iraq."

"While this resolution is just that, it is a statement that the Board of Supervisors would make. Clearly there's a stake that we here in local government - and local governments across the country - have in this issue," Daly said.

"My intent with this resolution is to signal the feelings of the City and County of San Francisco."

Committee member Supervisor Bevan Dufty said of the resolution: "I think that the war is horribly bad for our city, our country and for the world, and I appreciate you [Daly] bringing forward this resolution to again put us on record."

Sixty three per cent of San Francisco voters approved Proposition N in November 2004, a non-binding ballot measure calling on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

And in what can only be seen as a national indictment of President Bush and his dismal failure in handling the war in Iraq, U.S. voters handed congressional power to Democrats in November with the hope of bringing a rapid end to the war in Iraq.

To date, 407 billion dollars has been wasted on the war in Iraq, 3100 U.S. service personnel have been killed, 23,000 U.S. service personnel seriously wounded and/or maimed for life, and as many as 655,000 Iraqi's have been killed.

Despite overwhelming support for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, Speaker Nancy Pelosi continues to support appropriations for the war while touting "no blank check" for Iraq.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (file photo)

"It's double-talk. Basically she's got her finger to the wind and it's the wind coming from the forces of war and continued occupation of Iraq," Ralph Nader said of Pelosi on February 15.

Ralph Nader

And acccording to news reports Pelosi and other members of congressional leadership today decided to strip from a major military spending bill a requirement for Bush to gain approval from Congress before moving against Iran.

During public comment today Code Pink activist Vicki Leidner said: "We had a vote in November when the citizens of United States said we want a change, we don't want the war.

"And we have our federal officials absolutely ignoring the call of the people of the United States, and I am very glad to see that in San Francisco our elected representatives do hear what the people are saying."

Code Pink activist Vicki Leidner

"I would personally rather see any one of you be my congressional representative than Nancy Pelosi," Leidner added.

Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi said of the war in Iraq: "It is clear to us that this is a misidirected, misguided and, frankly, an illegal war."

The resolution will be considered by the full Board of Supervisors at tomorrow's regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting.

Update March 14: Supervisors voted 7-1 in support of the resolution with Supervisor Ed Jew dissenting.

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