1) US Bomb Communications Sites in Iraq

.c The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. warplanes bombed two air defense communications sites in southern Iraq on Friday, continuing a regular pattern of attacks in response to Iraqi efforts to shoot down planes patrolling a ``no-fly'' zone.

U.S. Central Command said in a statement out of its Tampa, Fla., headquarters that the targets were struck in self-defense after Iraqi air defense forces fired anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles at U.S. planes.

The communications sites were between Al Kut, about 100 miles southeast of Baghdad, and An Nasiriyah, about 170 miles southeast of the capital.

01/17/03 18:06 EST

2) 10,000 Sailors, Marines Leave for Gulf

.c The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP) - A seven-ship armada set sail Friday from Naval Station San Diego for possible duty in a war in Iraq. The ships left their home base carrying 10,000 sailors from San Diego and Marines from nearby Camp Pendleton.

Family members of some of the 10,000 sailors and Marines crowded the piers for the departure. A Navy spokesman said the tears were flowing and a mood of sadness was mixed with some excitement.

``Just like in any deployment, I think there's a lot of apprehension because nobody really knows what's coming,'' Navy Chief Robert Winkler said.

Debra Akins, the mother of a 19-year-old Marine, said it was amazing and frightening to see so many soldiers heading off at once.

``It's sad. It's really sad, but they're going to come back and we're going to be here waiting for them when they do,'' she said.

Some 60,000 U.S. troops are already in the Gulf region and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has signed orders for an additional 67,000 to go over the next few weeks. The size of the U.S. force arrayed against Iraq could reach 250,000.

01/17/03 18:18 EST

3) Chicago Passes Anti-War Resolution

46-1 Vote Follows Extensive and Personal
Debate (Chicago, Jan. 16, 2003)

After one of the most mesmerizing, impassioned
and personal debates ever to occur in Chicago's
City Council Chamber, Chicago has become the largest
and most prominent city in the nation to formally
oppose a unilateral pre-emptive strike on Iraq.

One by one, black and white, Latino and Jewish, men and
women, the Aldermen stood to draw attention to their
own particular concerns with the current path of the
Bush Administration. Many pointed out that the real
dangers this nation faces today are the rising rates of
unemployment and economic stagnation. Others were
concerned about the double standard the administration
is showing with respect to North Korea. And some drew
attention to the prospect of young sons and daughters
coming home in body bags from an ill-conceived war.

The Committee of Human Relations of the Chicago City
Council sent the "Resolution Opposing Pre-emptive U.S.
Military Strikes on Iraq" to the full council today
after a vote yesterday.

"It is our sons and daughters who will be recruited--
perhaps even conscripted--to fight in this war," said
Ald. Joseph Moore (49th), chief sponsor of the
resolution. Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) was concerned
that the "cost of the war will dry up federal funding
for domestic programs for a war that has yet to be
justified."

Judith Kossy of Chicagoans Against the War on Iraq said
she and her organization were deeply moved by the
leadership of Ald. Joe Moore, Ald. Helen Shiller, Ald.
Ricardo Munoz, Ald. Leslie Hairston and by the action
taken today the City Council. "Two out of three people
in the nation oppose a unilateral war. It's important
for local leaders to articulate their constituent's
feelings to President Bush and to the world," Kossy
said.

The full resolution follows: RESOLUTION OPPOSING A PRE-
EMPTIVE U.S. MILITARY ATTACK ON IRAQ

WHEREAS, the issues between Iraq and the world
community have not proven to be irresoluble by
traditional diplomatic efforts; and

WHEREAS, while Saddam Hussein is a tyrant who should be
removed from power, both for the good of the Iraqi
people and for the security of Iraq's neighboring
countries, it is not at all clear that a unilateral
U.S. military action would result in the installation
of a free and democratic Iraqi government; and

WHEREAS, U.S. military actions would risk the deaths of
thousands of Iraqi civilians without guaranteeing the
safety and security of U.S. citizens; and

WHEREAS, a pre-emptive and unilateral U.S. military
attack would violate international law and our
commitments under the U.N. Charter and further isolate
the U.S. from the rest of the world; and

WHEREAS, the Congressional Budget Office estimates a
military action against Iraq will cost our nation
between $9 and $13 billion a month, likely resulting in
further cuts in federally funded projects and programs
that benefit our city and its residents; and

WHEREAS, a U.S.-led war in Iraq would compromise our
current action in Afghanistan, and require years of
nation-building activities in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, the Bush administration has failed to
articulate a clear strategic objective or outcome of a
military attack against Iraq, and such an attack fails
to enjoy the support of many of our important allies;
and

WHEREAS, we give our unconditional support to U.S.
military personnel serving at home and abroad in their
tireless battle against global terrorism, and should
our military forces be sent to Iraq, we give our
unyielding support to our young men and women serving
in our nation's military, even if we oppose the policy
that sent them there;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the members of
the City Council of the City of Chicago, oppose a pre-
emptive U.S. military attack on Iraq unless it is
demonstrated that Iraq poses a real and imminent threat
to the security and safety of the United States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support a return of
U.N. weapons inspectors to Iraq, enhanced by sufficient
police support to guarantee unfettered access to all
targeted sites; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the U.S. to work
through the U.N. Security Council and reaffirm our
nation's commitment to the rule of law in all
international relationships; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution
be forwarded to the Illinois congressional delegation
and the President of the United States.

4) Chicago City Council Rejects War on Iraq

By DEANNA BELLANDI
.c The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - Calling Saddam Hussein a tyrant and saying he needs to be removed from power, the city of Chicago nonetheless balked at a war with Iraq.

The City Council voted 46-1 Thursday in favor of a resolution opposing a pre-emptive military attack unless Iraq is shown to be a real threat to the United States.

In so doing, Chicago became the largest U.S. city to speak out against a possible war.

The nonbinding resolution, however, gives unconditional support to U.S. military personnel.

``Everybody's against war,'' Mayor Richard Daley said after the resolution passed. ``No one is for war.''

The resolution talks about the potential financial impact of a war, which it says would cost billions of dollars and likely mean cuts in federally funded programs that benefit Chicago and its residents.

``The war will be financed by deficit-spending and drastic cuts in domestic spending. In either case, our neighborhoods, our great city will suffer the consequences of a sagging economy and even more cuts in federally funded projects and programs,'' said Alderman Joe Moore, who introduced the resolution with the support of other aldermen.

``Just about every initiative that improves the quality of life in this city and in our neighborhoods is supported at least in part by federal dollars,'' he said.

Chicago isn't alone in it's anti-war sentiment.

Anti-war statements have been passed in other U.S. cities, including Evanston, Ill., Baltimore, Seattle, Ithaca, N.Y., Berkeley, Calif., and Kalamazoo, Mich. No such resolutions have been passed in New York or Los Angeles, the two U.S. cities larger than Chicago.

A copy of Chicago's resolution is to be forwarded to President Bush and the Illinois congressional delegation.

Voting against the resolution was Alderman James Balcer, a veteran who represents an area on Chicago's South Side.

``I have struggled long and hard with this issue, and I have said before my concern is that this man poses a threat to the United States,'' Balcer said.

The resolution calls Saddam ``a tyrant who should be removed from power'' for the good of the people of Iraq and neighboring countries.

But, the resolution continues, ``it is not at all clear that a unilateral U.S. military action would result in the installation of a free and democratic Iraqi government.''

01/17/03 05:14 EST

5) AntiWar Protest: 6 Arrested A Tucson Federal Building
Arizona Independent Media Center
Original article is at http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2003/01/6300.php

AntiWar Protest: 6 Arrested A Tucson Federal Building
by Jeff o Thursday January 16, 2003 at 02:42 PM

6 people were arreseted today for criminal trespass at the Federal Building in Downtown Tucson today as part of an No War in Iraq protest
6 people were arrested from blocking the entrance to the Federal Building in downtown Tucson today. This was part of the National Iraq Pledge of Resistance. Groups all over the country are committing nonviolent acts of resistance to show our friends, our family and our government that we will not support a racist war for oil.

The six people walked up to the front door of the federal building and sat down and blocked the front entrance of the building for about a half hour. There were representatives of the media there (Channel 4, Pan Left, Telemundo, etc?). We made our point with a big banner. The police knew had heard rumors that we were planning something and we told them that we wanted to make a statement and then be arrested.

There was a good crowd out to support us, cheering us on and showing the people driving by signs and banners opposing the war. The whole event went really well.

We were all cited with criminal trespass and will appear in court on the 28th of January. I am scheduled for early in the morning.

It was awesome to see so many people out to oppose the war for an impromptu action. Sunny day, media, lots of water and lots of friends. What more could you ask for?

See you in court!

Peacepledge.org