Berkeley panel ponders anti-Marines stand

[unhappycamper]

Council vote sparked controversy
Protesters clash Tuesday outside City Hall


Berkeley panel ponders anti-Marines stand
By Michelle Locke - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Feb 12, 2008 22:04:39 EST

BERKELEY, California — Officials in this liberal city may soften their anti-recruitment stance toward the Marines in the face of widespread criticism.

The Berkeley City Council drew a deluge of disapproval across the United States in January when it voted to advise the Marines that their downtown recruitment office was not welcome and that they would be considered “uninvited and unwelcome intruders” if they chose to stay.

On Tuesday, the council was scheduled to consider a second resolution put forward by two council members that would rescind the letter and draw a line between opposing the war in Iraq and “our respect and support for those serving in the armed forces.”

The recruiting office opened in Berkeley in late 2006. It operated quietly until four months ago when the anti-war group Code Pink began holding regular protests.

Dozens of protesters demonstrated outside City Hall hours ahead of the debate.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_berkeleymarines_080211/