Activists want AWOL soldiers to come to Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Portland peace activists want a policy in place that would make Portland a sanctuary for soldiers absent without leave.

Military police and federal agents could still come to the city to find deserters. But under the activists' proposal, police officers would ignore federal arrest warrants when they come across AWOL soldiers during traffic stops.

Kelly Campbell of the American Friends Service Committee says her group has collected 3,000 signatures for the proposal. But they have not found a council member to champion their cause.

Commissioner Randy Leonard says that while he opposes the Iraq war it would be illegal to declare the city a free zone and call for "anarchy in the ranks."

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