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LaVerkin’s “United Nations-Free Zone”
In 1986, Berkeley, California established itself as a “Nuclear Free Zone” (Ord. 5784-NS
#2, 1986), and provided the seminal example of a U.S. city ordinance directed at international
issues.
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The more recent Patriot Act, passed by Congress in the aftermath of 9/11 to enhance
the federal government’s capacity to fight terrorism, has encountered vigorous resistance from
both liberal and conservative critics of its encroachment on civil rights and civil liberties.
According to Amnesty International, 257 U.S. cities have declared themselves opposed to the
Patriot Act by February, 2004.
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Tiny, rural LaVerkin, Utah adapted this same strategy in 2001 to
dramatize its opposition to the United Nations.
The coup had been deliberately planned for the July 4
th
, 2001 meeting of the LaVerkin
city council. Of the 50 or more sympathizers packing the meeting, several spoke in favor of a
proposal to create a LaVerkin “U.N.-Free Zone.” Backers included Mayor Dan Howard (who
had no vote) and city council member Al Snow, Sr., widely regarded as its prime backer and
tireless advocate.
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Following a 3-2 vote, LaVerkin City Ordinance 2001-09 imposed a Class-C
misdemeanor penalty upon failure to meet any of the following provisions:
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•
Requiring anyone conducting pro-U.N. activities to register with the city, pay a fee (to
cover the cost of the enforcement of 2001-09), and post a sign reading “United
Nations Work Conducted Here”
•
Prohibiting display of the U.N. flag or logo on city property
•
Prohibiting any U.N. taxation upon LaVerkin citizens
•
Prohibiting the U.N. from placing U.N. troops within LaVerkin
•
Prohibiting the city from contracting with pro-U.N. entities (persons, businesses, or
nonprofits)
•
Prohibiting the city from extraditing anyone to a U.N.-affiliated international court.
Convention