Santa Barbara, California - After some lively debate, the City Council of Santa Barbara voted 6-1 in favor of a resolution supporting 2020 A Year Without War (2020AYWW) at a recent City Council meeting.

Santa Barbara joins Lompoc and Carpinteria as California cities with proclamations supporting this growing global community that is dedicated to ending war in the year 2020. Puerto Vallarta and Santa Barbara are sister cities.

"In the spirit of 'Thinking Globally, Acting Locally,' I commend the local 2020 A Year Without War Committee and their efforts embarking on an ambitious and worthwhile endeavor and hope that many other governmental bodies both locally and around the world also step up and support this group's goals," said Mayor Helene Schneider. The proclamation states, "Santa Barbara, California is a City of Peace and has chapters of many peace-oriented global and national organizations chartered in the city."

Professor Joe White, founder of 2020AYWW, expressed appreciation to the City Council for their support. "Having a proclamation of support from Santa Barbara is most appropriate given that 2020 A Year Without War has its roots at Santa Barbara City College where we launched our social media website in 2012," he said. Prof. White is currently the chair of the Department of Philosophy at Santa Barbara City College.

2020 A Year Without War hopes to obtain proclamations from Santa Barbara's sister cities: Puerto Vallarta (Mexico), San Juan Metro Manila, Dingle (Ireland), Weihai (People's Republic of China), Toba City (Japan), Kotor (Montenegro), and Patras (Greece). The organization will continue to obtain proclamations from all governments, churches, and peace groups around the world through 2020.

2020AYWW is a nonprofit group dedicated to achieving a global ceasefire in the year 2020. A global network with currently over 10,000 members in over 125 countries, the group is endorsed by many organizations, including Santa Barbara City College Foundation, The National Veterans' Association, and Beacon of Hope for Afghan Children's Society. For more information please go to ayearwithoutwar.org.