The Madison Area Peace Coalition (MAPC) commends the City Council for taking this courageous and principled stand. "The resolution is a step forward or the peace movement," said Rae Vogeler of the MAPC. "It shows that increasing numbers of Americans don't support the U.S. Administration's call for war on Iraq. Tragically, U.S. sanctions and bombing have already killed over one million innocent Iraqi civilians in the last decade. We need to redouble our efforts to stop this war before it starts and to end all other aggressions against the Iraqi people. An invasion of Iraq will only fuel resentment toward the U.S. and destabilize the Middle East, making the world less safe."

"We thank supporters on the Common Council for speaking up for the interests of our community, against those few people who are trying to force us into a war against Iraq," said MAPC member Barbara Smith. She continued, "Aside from ghastly human toll and subversion of international law, an Iraq war would have serious local consequences. Our neighbors in the reserves are already being taken from families and jobs in our community, and sent overseas to prepare for combat. This costly war will mean substantially lower budget resources to our city from federal sources, for vital services such as health care. We hope this new resolution will catalyze action among the many who now oppose the war, but have not yet spoken out."

Madison joins with cities such as Washington, DC; Syracuse, NY; Santa Barbara, CA; and Santa Fe, NM in opposing war on Iraq. Other cities are considering such a resolution, including Baltimore, MD; St.Petersburg, FL; and Ann Arbor, MI.

The Madison Area Peace Coalition is an all-volunteer group of local individuals and organizations that has worked over the past year in support of peace, civil liberties, and racial and ethnic understanding.

CONTACT: Barbara Smith (608) 242-9232 or Rae Vogeler (608) 835-7501