National Guard Campaign

CodePINK AJR36 Action TOMORROW!

From Bay Area CodePINK:

We are putting out the call for those who are willing and able to come to Sacramento this Thursday, August 31st, 9:00a.m.

We will engage in direct action to hold our legislators accountable for their actions over this past year on AJR36. Join us as we send a strong message to those coming back in the next legislative session (January ’07) that we are making sure there are political consequences to running out of the hearing room, as Chavez did, rather than vote; and to the other two Democrats, Oropeza and Canciamilla, who didn’t even bother to show up to vote on August 16th.

Meet on the west steps of the Capitol Building in Sacramento 9:00a.m. For mor information, email Sam at mzsam@bayareacodepink.org or call 510-524-2776. For Peace train info, email Janet at weiljs@yahoo.com

AJR 36 Fails Committee Vote -
Next Move TBD

The following comes from Janet Weil of Bay Area CodePINK:

AJR 36 [Bring Our CA National Guard Home Resolution] came up for a vote in the Veterans Committee in the State Assembly today [Wednesday, 8/16]. Code Pink was there in full strength, along with our powerful speakers and supporters from various other groups, including retired military and candidates for state office. We turned out at least 50 people to show our support for a yes vote on AJR 36.

When chair Joe Nation called the vote, it was a tie: 3 for, 3 against.

For:

• Nation
• Soldana
• Evans

Against:

• De Vore
• Huff
• Runner

Absent:

• Canciamilla
• Chavez
• Oropeza

The resolution needed 5 YES votes to go to the floor of the Assembly for a vote. Chairperson Nation extended the time after the vote for about 15 minutes, giving the missing committee members time to report in and vote, but they never showed. Note: Chavez showed up briefly, then left well before the vote was called. The resolution was defeated. The chair then said the resolution could be reconsidered (no details at this time as to what that would entail.)

Analysis and more details on this later. Thanks to all who called, faxed, made arrangements and came in support in Sacramento today.