March 20, 2003, Traverse City, Michigan
Meeting with Rep. Camp, April 7, 9:30 AM at the Oleson Center on NMC campus
Following a 150 person funeral march through downtown Traverse City (single file, not stopping at traffic signals), a group of 40 or so walked into US Rep. Dave Camp's office demanding that Camp come to Traverse City for a town meeting within one week. The group wanted a public forum in which to ask the "representative" some serious questions.
"Traverse city has passed a resolution against a unilateral invasion of Iraq, and the US is going ahead. Will you carry our opposition to this illegal, immoral, and unjust war to Washington? We want to know why you are not representing the views of your constituents," said Samantha, acting as a spokesperson.
The office was staffed by a single receptionist, who was polite, as were the citizens occupying the office. She tried to reach Camp in Washington, but at first could only get a worker from the Washington office. He said that Camp could hold a town meeting in Midland - which is three hours away from Traverse City. The citizens occupying the office were firm in rejecting the offer. They also made it clear that they intended to stay until their demand was met.
Sitting on the floor, a meeting was held in which two scribes wrote down some questions for Camp.
Here are a few:"Why are you condoning a preemptive military strike that violates the United Nations Charter, the Nuremberg Charter, the Geneva Convention and the U.S. Constitution?"
"Will weapons that contain depleted uranium be used in this conflict? If yes, will our troops be informed? What will we do to protect them and Iraqi civilians against the effects of the depleted uranium left there from the first Gulf War?"
"Why have there been severe cuts in benefits to veterans. Is this an example of the United States supporting our troops?"
"The cost of this war or invasion of Iraq is estimated at 200 billion tax dollars. Michigan is 2 billion dollars in debt. If the federal government kept those tax dollars at home, Michiganís share would be 4 billion dollars. After payment of debt, Michigan would have 2 billion dollars available to prevent further devastation of our schools, health care, and infrastructure. Is buying bombs and funding an illegal invasion more important to you than the welfare of your constituents?"
"Why was there a ìdeadlineî for diplomacy?"
"Do you know how many weapons of mass destruction the US gave or sold to the Iraqi government, and which kinds?"
"Why is Iraq expected to comply with the U.N., but the Bush administration is not?"
"Why is it necessary to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, and not necessary to disarm all the other countries that have weapons of mass destruction, including the U.S.?"
"Why are you participating in misleading the public about a nonexistant link between Saddam Hussein and 9-11?"
"George W. Bush stated, in his speech on the evening of March 19, that war crimes would be prosecuted, and that Iraqi soldiers and military leaders will not be able to use ìI was following ordersî as an excuse for illegal activity. Does this statement apply to our troops and political and military leaders as well?"About an hour later, Dave Camp called, and repeated the offer of a meeting in Midland.
"Its easier for one car to drive three hours than for 40 cars. Many of us can't afford it," said one woman. Once again the offer was rejected.
After a few minutes, Camp conceded. He agreed, over speaker phone, in a conversation caught on camera, to attend a town meeting in Traverse City on April 7 at 9:30 am, in a venue that can hold several hundred people.(location to be decided on soon) The citizens in the office accepted, even though the one week deadline was exceeded. Shouts and cheers celebrating this small victory arose in the room.