Berkeley

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UPDATE 02/13/08: BERKELEY BACKS DOWN

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Yes, Berkeley, California. I never thought I’d be blogging about this city, but since they did something so ridiculous, I could not resist.

A couple of weeks ago, the City of Berkeley, California, passed this:

From: Peace and Justice Commission

Recommendation:

1. Direct the City Attorney to investigate and report back to Council within 60 days on City options for enforcing Chapter 13.28 of the Berkeley Municipal Code, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, with respect to military recruiting offices in Berkeley;

2. Direct the City Manager to send letters to the Marine Corps Recruiting Station at 64 Shattuck Avenue and to General James T. Conway, Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, advising them that the Marine recruiting office is not welcome in our city, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders;

3. Encourage all people to avoid cooperation with the Marine Corps recruiting station, and applaud residents and organizations such as Code Pink, that may volunteer to impede, passively or actively, by nonviolent means, the work of any military recruiting office located in the City of Berkeley.


After hearing from all over the country, the City will be considering this tonight:

From: Councilmembers Olds and Capitelli

Recommendation:

1) That the City Council, through adoption of this item, publicly differentiate between the City’s documented opposition to the unjust and illegal war in Iraq and our respect and support for those serving in the armed forces.

2) Rescind point 2 of Item 12, of the January 29, 2008 Berkeley City Council Agenda, “Marine Recruiting Office in Berkeley,” regarding communications with the Marine Recruiting Station in Berkeley.

Pro military groups, like Move America Forward (MAF), have been protesting the City Council’s actions and bringing this to America’s attention – AND attention the City of Berkeley has received!

Thanks to MAF for their work in Berkeley and across the country in supporting and being a strong voice for our troops!