Resolutions

Resolution Number ANAL07.16

Restricting Corporate Charters For Private Military Contractors

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of California, under the Declaration of Rights, Article 1, Section 5 reads: “The military is subordinate to civil power. A standing army may not be maintained in peacetime;” and

WHEREAS, private military contractors (a.k.a. mercenaries or private armies) operating in California that are not under civil control or not under military chain-of-command can be looked upon as a standing “private” army maintained in peacetime; and

WHEREAS, private military contractors using military weapons were deployed in New Orleans following hurricane Katrina to keep peace and order and were actively disarming law-abiding citizens of their lawfully owned weapons, and were outside of civil control;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Democratic Party supports the urgent need for legislation stating that no private military contractor, mercenary corporation acting as a paramilitary or private military entity, or any subsidiary of same, be granted a corporate charter to operate in the State of California unless fully and completely under civil control and within the civil or military chain-of-command, subject to civil control and that there be a prohibition against any and all private corporate armies being formed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Posse Comitatus Act be enforced within the State of California and that it be amended so that no private military contractor may be employed against the civilian population in times of civil unrest.

Submitted by Thomas Stevan, DSCC Member and Candidate for Assembly, 15th AD

Adopted by: East Bay Young Democrats Club, November 12, 2007;
Shasta County Democratic Central Committee, November 12, 2007;
Diablo Valley Democratic Club, November 14, 2007

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Adopted by the Executive Board
Of the California Democratic Party
At Its Executive Board Meeting
Sheraton Hotel, Anaheim
November 18, 2007