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La Conner council approves resolution backing global effort to prevent nuclear war
Summary
La Conner Town Council voted to adopt Resolution 661 after a presentation by local and state advocates for the "Back from the Brink" campaign. Presenters urged the town to endorse U.S. policy changes including renouncing first use of nuclear weapons; the motion to approve passed by voice vote.
La Conner Town Council voted to adopt Resolution 661, endorsing a local resolution aligned with the Back from the Brink campaign and urging action to prevent nuclear war.
Advocates from a county-wide peace group and national organizers presented the measure before the council, explaining the local resolution is intended to add La Conner’s voice to larger state and national pressure for changes in U.S. nuclear policy. Harry Katz, an organizing consultant who said he works with national grassroots coalitions, told the council, “If there were just a 1% chance of a nuclear war each year, then the probability of it happening in the next 50 years would actually be about 39 percent.”
The presentation said the Back from the Brink platform calls for a set of policy changes, including renouncing a first-use policy for nuclear weapons and limiting sole presidential authority to launch a nuclear strike. Sean Arent, who identified himself as working with Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, described the campaign’s goals and listed jurisdictions that have passed similar resolutions, saying local actions have historically helped influence broader national debates.
Local resident Debbie Aldridge, who said she was part of Skagit-area disarmament work in the 1980s, urged the council to pass the resolution and highlighted the long-standing local involvement in anti‑nuclear efforts.
Council discussion was brief. A council member described experience on navy aircraft that are nuclear-capable and voiced support for the resolution. Councilmember Carlson moved to approve Resolution 661; Councilmember Wallop seconded. The chair called for the vote and said, “All those in favor?” and the motion carried by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.
The resolution asks the town to endorse the goals of the prohibition effort presented and to join other local jurisdictions in signaling public concern about nuclear risk. The presenters said they would follow up with the council to provide a copy of the final resolution text and to coordinate any local implementation steps.
Why it matters: proponents said that local resolutions help educate residents, demonstrate local elected-official support for national policy shifts, and contribute to broader advocacy aimed at reducing nuclear risk.
