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HomeMy WebLinkAbout136-R-19 Calling for a Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons11 ✓27/2019 136-R-19 A RESOLUTION Calling for a Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons WHEREAS, nine nations together have over 14,000 nuclear weapons in their arsenals, most far more destructive than the two that killed hundreds of thousands in Japan in 1945; and WHEREAS, the use of even a tiny fraction of these weapons could have catastrophic human and environmental consequences that could affect everyone on the planet; and WHEREAS, as the effects of climate change place increased stress on communities around the world and intensify the likelihood of conflict, the danger of nuclear war will grow; and WHEREAS, there is an alternative to this march to nuclear war: In July 2017, 122 nations called for the elimination of all nuclear weapons by approving the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. There are currently 79 signatories to the treaty, and 33 nations have ratified it. The treaty will enter into force once 50 nations have ratified or acceded to it. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COUNTY OF COOK, STATE OF ILLINOIS: SECTION 1: that the City Council of Evanston, Illinois, calls upon the U.S. government to embrace the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and make global nuclear disarmament the centerpiece of our national security policy. SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Evanston, Illinois, calls upon 136-R-19 the U.S. government to spearhead a global effort to prevent nuclear war by: -renouncing the option of using nuclear weapons first; -ending the sole, unchecked authority of any president to launch a nuclear attack; -taking U.S. nuclear weapons off hair-trigger alert; -cancelling the plan to replace its entire arsenal with enhanced weapons; and -actively pursuing a verifiable agreement among nuclear -armed states to eliminate their nuclear arsenals. SECTION 3: The Evanston City Council will send copies of this resolution with a record of its adoption to Evanston's members of the U.S. Congressional Delegation. SECTION 4: Resolution 136-R-19 shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval in the manner provided by law. Attest: C� Devon Reid, City Clerk Adopted: January 13 , 2020 -2- Stephen H. Hagerty, Mayor Approved as to form: Kelley A. Gandurski, Corporation Counsel