Troop withdrawal referendum gains steam 
By Jeff Peterson 
Green Party of Wisconsin 

A discussion about the war in Iraq, beginning at the Wisconsin Green Party's spring gathering, has blossomed into an effort to put a troop withdrawal referendum on next spring's ballot in cities and counties around the state. The effort has now grown beyond the Green Party and has been embraced by citizens all over the state concerned about the war and passionate about democracy. At a recent event in Madison, three state representatives were among those signing the "Bring Our Troops Home" coalition's petition for a troop withdrawal referendum. At least 29 communities are working on getting the referendum on their April ballots. In 10 of these communities, the required signatures have already been obtained. Inspired by the success of similar resolutions in Utah and at town hall meetings across the state of Vermont last March, the Wisconsin effort will attempt to give voice to this growing anti-war sentiment. 

While a statewide referendum might have been preferable, it was unlikely that Wisconsin's Republican-controlled legislature would allow the citizenry to express their opposition to the Iraq war by means of a vote. Organizers of the project decided the best approach would be to put the question on as many local ballots as possible. 

But first the question had to be framed. After much discussion, the following sample wording was agreed upon: "Should the United States begin an immediate withdrawal of its troops from Iraq, beginning with the National Guard and Reserves?" Local groups may choose to alter this wording as they see fit. 

The referendum is already attracting much media attention, including from Wisconsin Public Radio, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Madison's Capitol Times. Links can be found at www.wisconsingreenparty.org/iraqreferendum/. A listserve has been established to facilitate communication among local referendum organizers. Anyone can access the archives by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/troopwithdrawal.  


For more information, please contact Jeff Peterson at 715-472-2728 or peterson@lakeland.ws. 

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