Berkeley City Council Passes Resolution Banning Space-Based Weapons (Arlington, Virginia Next?)

City of Berkeley ^ | 9/14/02 | Berkeley

[chambley1]

On September 10, 2002, the Berkeley City Council passed Resolution 61744, making Berkeley, California the first city in the world to pass a Resolution calling for a ban on all space-based weapons in support of the Space Preservation Act, introduced by the Honorable Congressman Dennis Kucinich(D-OH), and soon to be re-introduced in 2003, and the companion Space Preservation Treaty. Berkeley is the first city in the world to declare the outer space above their city to be a space-based weapons-free zone.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Date: 9-10-02 PASSED

RESOLUTION NUMBER 61744

To: Honorable Mayor and

Members of the City Council

From: Councilmember Dona Spring

Subject: ENDORSING THE SPACE PRESERVATION ACT AND COMPANION SPACE PRESERVATION TREATY TO PERMANENTLY BAN THE WEAPONIZATION OF SPACE

RECOMMENDATION: That the Council pass the attached resolution supporting the Space Preservation Act and the companion Space Preservation Treaty, and request that the City Manager send letters to our federal representatives urging their support of the Space Preservation Act.

BACKGROUND: On January 23rd 2002, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) introduced the Space Preservation Act, companion to the Space Preservation Treaty, to the US House of Representatives. In the words of Congressman Kucinich, “We can take this technology for destruction, for war, and, through this proposal, create a technology for peace. We can create a world where war no longer becomes inevitable. We first have to look to a practical measure, such a measure to stop the weaponization of space. There are so many opportunities for the evolution of our species. There is the possibility of space travel, for commerce, for exploration. That is part of the human spirit. It always has been. And so we have the chance today, launching this effort for peace, through saying, ‘There shall be no weapons in space.’ But not only that, but to use the legislation as a matrix for a treaty to preserve space which we will ask leaders from all over the world to sign.”

Please see attached.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: NONE

CONTACT PERSON: Councilmember Dona Spring 510 981-7140

RESOLUTION NO. 61744

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE SPACE PRESERVATION ACT AND THE SPACE PRESERVATION TREATY TO PERMANENTLY BAN THE WEAPONIZATION OF SPACE

WHEREAS, the Space Preservation Act and the companion Space Preservation Treaty will establish a permanent ban on all space-based weapons, on the use of weapons to destroy or damage objects in space that are in orbit; and the permanent termination of research and development, testing, manufacturing, production and deployment of all space-based weapons; and

WHEREAS, the termination of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty on June 13, 2002 will permit research, development, testing, manufacturing, production and deployment of space-based weapons, thereby instigating a dangerous, costly, and destabilizing arms race in space, endangering all residents of Berkeley, the United States of America and all of humankind, and invading outer space, humanity’s weapons-free common heritage, with space-based weapons; and

WHEREAS, The Space Preservation Act, companion to the Space Preservation Treaty, introduced by U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), requires the U.S. President to work toward “negotiating, adopting and implementing an international treaty banning space-based weapons and the use of weapons to destroy or damage objects in space that are in orbit;” and

WHEREAS, the Space Preservation Treaty will establish an outer space peacekeeping agency to monitor outer space and enforce the permanent ban of space-based weapons; and

WHEREAS, The Space Preservation Act and the Space Preservation Treaty facilitate future public and private investment in clean and safe technology, products and services, and in sustainable, non-weapons, expanded civil, commercial and military, world cooperative space ventures, and the consequent stimulation of the national and world economy. The Act and the Treaty do not prohibit activities including space exploration, space research and development, testing, manufacturing or deployment that is not related to space-based weapons or systems, or civil, commercial, or defense activities (including communications, navigation, surveillance, reconnaissance, early warning, or remote sensing) that are not related to space-based weapons or systems;” and

WHEREAS, the Space Preservation Act and the Space Preservation Treaty preserve the peaceful, cooperative uses of space for all residents of Berkeley and for all humankind; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

4) THAT IT IS THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BERKELEY THAT THE U.S. SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ENACT AND THE U.S. PRESIDENT SIGN AND ENFORCE THE SPACE PRESERVATION ACT; and

2) THAT IT IS THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL THAT THE U.S. PRESIDENT, INDIVIDUALLY OR AT AN EMERGENCY TREATY CONFERENCE, SIGN THE SPACE PRESERVATION TREATY, AND THAT THE U.S. SENATE RATIFY IT TO PERMANENTLY BAN ALL SPACE-BASED WEAPONS TO PRESERVE THE COOPERATIVE, PEACEFUL USES OF SPACE FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF BERKELEY AND FOR ALL HUMANKIND; and

3) The Council of the City of Berkeley hereby declares that the space 60 kilometers and above the City of Berkeley is a space-based weapons free zone; and

4) This Resolution of the Council of the City of Berkeley is hereby recommended to be adopted by all Municipalities in the United States of America and worldwide.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Chancellor Palpatine loves the idea of undefended planets.

[Spacetrucker]

When I saw the name "Berkely" in the title of this thread, I knew it, however true it may be, would be good for a laugh! ONLY FROM THE LEFT COAST!!:")

[Tai_Chung]

If 60 kilometers and above the City of Berkeley is within Berkeley's jurisdiction, would they be required to provide basic city services to the Space Station?

[Illbay]

It's good to know that future space colonists will have nothing to fear from the People's Republic of Berkeley.

Oh, and Berkeley: Potholes fixed yet?

[tcostell]

Gee, I wonder what visionary city will be the next to join Berkeley in this important statement about our planet... < /medication>

[Poohbah]

That sewage connection would be hell to maintain...

[AppyPappy]

What are they gonna do? Declare war on us?

[leprechaun9]

How does this city of lunacy propose to enforce it? Do they have their own ray guns to shoot down any violators?

We don't need to only worry about foreign terrorists, we have some in government in California (but not limited to there)!

[PLK]

Iowa City, the so-called "Athens" of the Midwest, and hotbed of liberal goofiness, passed an ordinance years ago declaring the city to be a "nuclear-free zone." I feel so safe as I drive into the city limits and past the sign that reassures me everyday "Iowa City is a nuclear free zone."; no suitcase nukes there, nosireee..... Hey, I know, let's tell President Bush to make the COUNTRY nuclear free. Then we will never have to worry about nukes and nutty dictators and crazy terrorists, etc. Great idea. Go Berkeley.

[Bikers4Bush]

The funniest part is that they actually think that they have the right to do such a thing.

[Valin]

Well I sleep better at night just knowing that I don't have to worry about Iowa City lobbing a nuke at Mn.
Now if we could just do something about those cheesehead in Eau Claire. They've been rattleing their sabers lately.

[fporretto]

Only in Berkeley, America's City of Space Cadets. I suppose they've gotten tired of naming "sister cities," their conceit of a few years ago. Did they ever get around to naming Kabul, Tehran or Riyadh as sister cities?

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit The Palace Of Reason: http://palaceofreason.com

[Texbob]

Berkeley remains nutty as a fruit cake, literally, they are fruits and nutty. They have as much effect on space weapons as the Clinton's have on the current president. NONE!

[chambley1]

Arlington County, Virginia

[tom paine 2]

Comet Hale-Bopp missed a pickup.

[Poohbah]

You know where they found the last Heaven's Gate member?

Under the sink, behind the Comet :o)

[MrB]

I think we should all write our representatives in Congress and ask that a resolution be passed that says that the City of B(erz)erkely is no longer under the protection of the US government.

1) If attacked, Berkeley can defend itself.
2) Berkeley shall receive no money from any fund that has monies collected from taxpayers of any other jurisdiction.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Gee, I wonder what visionary city will be the next to join Berkeley in this important statement about our planet...

I swear to god, Ithaca does this I think I will give out the home phone numbers of the City Council members here on FR and tell everyone to call the council members at 3 am and say "I'm not sure but I think I saw something in the sky that could be a spaced based weapon...could you look into it for me?"

Ithaca is the City of Evil.

[rmvh]

There has always been strange and eratic brain functioning among residents, students, faculty, and city administrators at Berkley....the City and th U of C.

Sanity has consistently been absent as can be confirmed by viewing the strange creatures lolling and strolling about the canpus, in the faulty lounge, or those presiding at City hall.

Any sensible person knows that this problem can be eliminated and rationality returned when these "humans" are properly attired in tin-wear to protect against space born radiation negatively impacting their sanity.