ABQ City Council Passes Resolution to End Iraq Occupation

Good news: On Monday, September 27, 2007, the Albuquerque City Council passed a resolution sponsored by Councilor Ike Benton "calling on the United States Congress to rescind the Iraq resolution and pass a resolution calling for the phased redeployment of American troops from Iraq to commence immediately." The measure passed by a margin of 5-2 with Councilors Debbie O'Malley, Ken Sanchez, Ike Benton, Michael Cadigan and Martin Heinrich voting in favor of the resolution. Councilors Sally Mayer and Craig Loy voted against it. Councilors Brad Winter and Don Harris were absent for the vote.

The resolution was very similar to one passed earlier this month by the UNM Graduate and Professional Student Association. At that time, both State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino and Councilor Ike Benton spoke on behalf of the GPSA resolution drafted by the group's president, Joseph J. García. According to García, one of the main purposes of the resolution was to call attention to local student and community needs that are not being fully met due to the allocation of needed funds to the US military engagement in Iraq.

By the way, I read yesterday that the occupation is now costing us approximately $12 billion a month. Imagine what that money could do if it were used for constructive purposes here in the U.S instead of funding Bush's madness.