* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Cohen
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Welcoming the Golden Rule Peace Ship to Baltimore
For the purpose of welcoming the Golden Rule Peace Ship (the Golden Rule) to Baltimore City; and encouraging Baltimoreans to visit the ship and learn about its history.
body
Recitals
Whereas, on May 1st, 1958, 4 nuclear weapons abolitionists sailed a 39-foot ketch, the Golden Rule, towards the Marshall Islands to protest nuclear bomb tests that were producing globally detectable radioactive fallout, an action that resulted in their arrest, captured the public’s attention, and led to the 1963 ratification of the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty by the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom.
Whereas, in 2010, in the wake of the Golden Rule’s second sinking, Veterans for Peace, wooden boat enthusiasts, and other volunteers salvaged and restored the Golden Rule.
Whereas, the Golden Rule is now undertaking a 15-month educational “Great Loop” tour, sailing down the Mississippi River and other rivers, around the Gulf of Mexico, down to Key West and Cuba, up the East Coast, and through the Great Lakes to Chicago. The Golden Rule will visit over 100 ports of call, including Baltimore.
Whereas, the Golden Rule will dock in Baltimore City between April 27th, 2023 and May 3rd, 2023.
Whereas, Marylanders in general, and Baltimoreans in particular, have repeatedly expressed their strong opposition to nuclear weapons in many ways over the years, including:
(1) the declaration of Nuclear Free Zones in Baltimore in 1992;
(2) Mayor Dixon’s commitment to work towards a ban on nuclear weapons with Mayors for Peace in 2008;
(3) the passage of Council Bill 18-0096R, Request for Federal Action - Move Back from the Brink and Toward Nuclear Disarmament in 2018; and
(4) Baltimore-based organization Prevent Nuclear War Maryland’s ongoing advocacy for verifiable global nuclear disarmament.
Whereas, the Golden Rule and crew will be welcoming the public to free tours of the historic boat at Pier 5 and making themselves available for public educational talks at various venues to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the 1958 arrests and the launch of citizen action to prevent nuclear war.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, that the City Council welcomes the Golden Rule Peace Ship to Baltimore City waters and encourages Baltimoreans to visit the vessel, to learn about its history, and to extend every courtesy to the boat and its crew.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.