'Referendum seeks to bar nukes from N.Y
1985 1985-08Read it in the scan (PDF at ETOL), page 9 →
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A campaign to put a referendum on the November ballot is underway in New York City. The initiative is aimed at blocking the Navy's plans to bring nuclear weapons into New York's harbor.
The following interview with Tom De Luca, coordinator of the Ad Hoc Committee for a Navyport Referendum and a leader of the the New York Mobilization for Survival, was conducted on July 23 by Alan Benjamin.
Socialist Action: Could you briefly describe the objectives of the campaign?
Tom De Luca: The campaign seeks to put a referendum on the ballot that would bar the New York City Board of Estimates from appropriating either money or land to support any military facility that would carry nuclear weapons.
It is binding in that it will prevent the city from usi ng city money and land volunt: arily. It would not be binding on the Navy.
The Navy's plan is to station a seven-ship Surface Action Group 'at Stapleton, Staten Island. The group would be led by the battleship lowa, which carries Tomahawk cruise missiles.
S.A.: What have you accomplished so far?
De Luca: We have collected 60,670 signatures. To put the referendum on the ballot we need the signatures of 30,000 registered voters. Right now the city clerk's office is checking the signatures one by one against the voter roles.
The referendum now goes to the city council, which may either pass it or agree to put it on the ballot. We don't expect it to do either. So we're collecting another 15,000 signatures, which will automatically place it on the ballot in November.
It is interesting that council members who said for so long they had the support of New Yorkers for this base are afraid to put it on the ballot.
S.A.: Assuming you the ballot, what then?
De Luca: In September we will run a citywide campaign through grassroots networks, political organizations, community organizations, religious institutions, and trade unions. A precinct-by-precinct operation up until election day will be our strength. paign tie into the issue of Central America?
De Luca: Since the Reagan administration took office, it has been able to increase military spending without limit. Serious political constraints are needed.
The administration hopes that stationing its nuclear inissiles will desensitize New Yorkers to the nuclear arms race and to the whole issue of using military means to solve political problems.
to bring New York City on board the Reagan juggernaut.
In addition, the battleship lowa has led several fleets down off Central America. This is part of the Reagan administration's program to intimidate the government of Nicaragua.
If the Iowa is berthed here permanently, it is very possible that an invasion of Nicaragua could be launched from New York. New York could become a launching port for military intervention in Central America.
New Yorkers by refusing to accept that role for the lowa or for their port would also be stating their views on military intervention in Central America.
S.A.: How can our readers get involved?
De Luca: To win in November we are going to need the support of hundreds—thousands-of volunteers. Anyone interested in helping, particularly in petitioning in August, should contact the Mobilization For Survival at (212) 6731808.
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• OUR REVOLUTIONARY CONTINUITY of the SWP presents a totally different
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A victory in November will be a defeat to Reagan's attempt