WHEREAS, eight decades after their invention, nuclear weapons still threaten to escalate conflicts around the world and end life on our planet as we know it;

WHEREAS, the ongoing existence of nuclear weapons concentrates their apocalyptic power in the hands of a very small group of world leaders, subverting the principle of democratic governance;

WHEREAS, nuclear weapons manufacturing and basing are an economic burden on the United States, as investment in healthcare, education, renewable energy, and other urgent needs is proven to create more jobs;

WHEREAS, the environmental effects of nuclear weapons manufacturing, testing, basing, and storage continue to negatively impact the health of communities across the world;

WHEREAS, because of their destructive force and economic impact, WHEREAS, because of their destructive force and economic impact, nuclear weapons are of direct relevance to the fate of every area in the United States;

WHEREAS, Daniel Ellsberg’s work as a lecturer, scholar, writer and activist on the dangers of the nuclear era, wrongful U.S. interventions and the urgent need for principled whistleblowing remains an inspiration to new generations living with the imminent threat of nuclear weapons;

WHEREAS, Ellsberg emphasized that intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are the single greatest nuclear weapons threat to our world today;

WHEREAS, U.S. ICBMs are kept ready to launch at all times and cannot be recalled once they are launched, presenting a serious threat of use in response to a false alarm, a threat shown to be realistic by several well-documented historical “near misses”;

WHEREAS, the effort to modernize the U.S. ICBM force was recently revealed to be 37% over budget, nearly $100 billion more than the original projected cost of $264 billion;

WHEREAS, local and state governments are supposed to represent constituents to higher levels of government, as allowed under Clause 3, Rule XII of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, also known as the Jefferson Manual because of the local Charlottesville resident who created it;

WHEREAS, ​​in 1967 a court in California ruled in favor of citizens’ right to place a referendum on the ballot opposing a war, ruling that “one of the purposes of local government is to represent its citizens before the Congress, the Legislature, and administrative agencies in matters over which the local government has no power”;

AND WHEREAS, this approach has contributed to ending U.S. slavery, South African apartheid, and a nuclear arms race, as well as legalizing marriage for all, protecting immigrants, and halting wars;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that [the City Council or other relevant governing body] formally commemorates the life and achievements of Daniel Ellsberg by declaring June 10-16 Daniel Ellsberg Week and encourages community members to commemorate Ellsberg’s life and work through actions in support of reducing nuclear risk;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the [governing body] expresses its opposition to efforts to replace the ICBM force through “modernization” programs;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the [governing body] affirms the need to eliminate the U.S. ICBM program and direct the investment of relevant funds to communities directly impacted by nuclear weapons manufacturing, basing, and testing as well as to programs addressing urgent healthcare, housing, education, and other basic needs;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the [governing body] will send this resolution to its Congressional delegation and the White House to urge them to act in accordance with the statements affirmed here.