BELLINGHAM -
A heated community meeting was held Monday night at the Bellingham Municipal Building. At issue: whether the City should become a sanctuary for AWOL soldiers.
Bellingham City Council Chambers was jam-packed and at times raucous as supporters and opponents clashed over the plan that would allow AWOL soldiers to seek refuge in Bellingham.
Students from Western Washington University and local military veterans who started G.I. Sanctuary City Movement asked the city for the meeting. Gulf War Veteran Matt Bambara says war objectors need a safe place to go.
"The wars are illegal nobody should have to die for a mistake," said Bambara.
The group's proposal would prohibit law enforcement from arresting military members who are absent without leave. Those against the plan like Vietnam Veteran Tim Carpenter say this ordinance disrespects our armed forces.
"Deserters deserve a good spanking from their mothers. The point is they're acting juvenile, they decided they don't want to do their duty to America or their country," said Carpenter.
If the City Council eventually approves the measure Bellingham would join Berkley, California and Ithaca, New York as the nation's only sanctuary cities. Vietnam Veteran Bob Burr is all for it.
"I think the City should rally around those who show the courage to resist, I don't think its cowardice," said Burr.
Some Veterans on the other side of the aisle like Bill Converse believe a Bellingham Sanctuary would mean the City is stepping on federal guidelines for service.
"It's really against the law for the City Council, they're not upholding their oath of office," said Converse.
But those in favor of sanctuary for AWOL soldiers say they need a place to heal without worrying about being arrested. Matt Bambara says he needs refuge because he refuses to return to war.
"Be concerned about the consequences. I think that's why it's important that Bellingham become a sanctuary city," said Bambara.
Monday's forum was only a preliminary meeting. The Bellingham City Council wasn't there and did not take any action. Both sides of the sanctuary city argument say more debate is needed before the City Council should act.
Bellingham City Council Chambers was jam-packed and at times raucous as supporters and opponents clashed over the plan that would allow AWOL soldiers to seek refuge in Bellingham.
Students from Western Washington University and local military veterans who started G.I. Sanctuary City Movement asked the city for the meeting. Gulf War Veteran Matt Bambara says war objectors need a safe place to go.
"The wars are illegal nobody should have to die for a mistake," said Bambara.
The group's proposal would prohibit law enforcement from arresting military members who are absent without leave. Those against the plan like Vietnam Veteran Tim Carpenter say this ordinance disrespects our armed forces.
"Deserters deserve a good spanking from their mothers. The point is they're acting juvenile, they decided they don't want to do their duty to America or their country," said Carpenter.
If the City Council eventually approves the measure Bellingham would join Berkley, California and Ithaca, New York as the nation's only sanctuary cities. Vietnam Veteran Bob Burr is all for it.
"I think the City should rally around those who show the courage to resist, I don't think its cowardice," said Burr.
Some Veterans on the other side of the aisle like Bill Converse believe a Bellingham Sanctuary would mean the City is stepping on federal guidelines for service.
"It's really against the law for the City Council, they're not upholding their oath of office," said Converse.
But those in favor of sanctuary for AWOL soldiers say they need a place to heal without worrying about being arrested. Matt Bambara says he needs refuge because he refuses to return to war.
"Be concerned about the consequences. I think that's why it's important that Bellingham become a sanctuary city," said Bambara.
Monday's forum was only a preliminary meeting. The Bellingham City Council wasn't there and did not take any action. Both sides of the sanctuary city argument say more debate is needed before the City Council should act.
