A Utah chapter of the Sierra Club has been threatened with disbandment because of its decision to speak out against the possibility of a U.S. war against Iraq. The development may bring to a head a discussion that has been going on within the club throughout the fall. In October, 13 former national board members called on the organization to pass a resolution urging the Bush administration to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict. But some current members feel the issue is outside the scope of the Sierra Club’s mission, while others say not all club members are in the anti-war camp. The national board has decided to remain neutral on the issue of war, and has issued a statement noting in part that the Sierra Club “does not authorize members, leaders, or club entities to take positions on military conflicts.” Some have interpreted that wording as a gag rule, and the threatened actions against the Utah chapter seem to reinforce that impression.
