Citizen Asks Town Council To Oppose War With Iraq

With the prospect of a possible war against Iraq increasing, the Chapel Hill Town Council will be asked to consider a petition Monday speaking out against any U.S. military action.

If the council passes a resolution condemning military action, it will not lead to any specific action, but will serve a symbolic purpose, members said.

Other municipalities across the country have passed similar resolutions, including Carrboro.

The citizen introducing the petition, Robbin Helweg-Larsen, said he thinks the council will support his motion.

"I'm amazed that Chapel Hill hasn't passed a resolution like this yet," Helweg-Larsen said.

He said he plans to present the petition out of concern for the image of the United States in other countries. Helweg-Larsen has traveled internationally multiple times and holds four passports -- British, Canadian, Jamaican and Australian.

A war with Iraq would not be popular internationally, he said.

"A lot of people see U.S. foreign policy as erratic and hostile," Helweg-Larsen said. "This is exemplified by military action in Iraq."

He said he is worried about the consequences of a war with Iraq in the Middle East and internationally.

"I'm someone who has more allegiance to the world than any one country," he said.

Council member Ed Harrison said the petition comes as no surprise in a progressive community like Chapel Hill and said he supports the idea.

"I feel the same way the petitioner does," he said.

Council member Dorothy Verkerk also agrees with Helweg-Larsen's sentiments. "I'm certainly going to vote for it, and I'm going to encourage the council to vote for it," she said.

Verkerk said the Chapel Hill community would support the council passing such a resolution, although she would not speculate on what action the council will take at its meeting.

Carrboro Board of Aldermen member Jacquelyn Gist said gestures like the one Carrboro passed and the one being presented to the council can have a real effect, though they are only symbolic.

"If a whole lot of municipalities speak out about this, we'll see results," she said.

Gist said it is important for representatives to help their constituents voice their opinions on issues like war.

The City Editor can be reached at citydesk@unc.edu.