In June 2006, the U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution first suggested by Mayor Akiba, calling for an end to the mutual targeting of US, Russian, and Chinese cities for nuclear destruction. This theme was picked up by the Mayors for Peace Good Faith Delegation on the tenth anniversary of the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on the legality of the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons (See Engagement with UN System).  Challenges to the nuclear-armed states to renounce such targeting of cities were met mainly with silence or statements that targeting was top secret – end of discussion. The British Government added that ambiguity in the targeting policy “enhanced the deterrent value” of the nuclear forces, implying this was acceptable even if it meant continuing to threaten cities.

Of course, the destruction of cities by conventional bombardment is not acceptable either, so the theme of Cities Are Not Targets was expanding to include any use of explosive force in populated areas.  (This, of course, includes terrorist attacks in populated areas.)  Instances of such attacks have been condemned by the Executive Conference of Mayors for Peace; most recently the rocket attacks on southern Israeli towns and the grossly disproportionate and indiscriminate response by Israel forces on Gaza.  Even the preparations for the use of weapons of mass destruction are condemned by the project, as well as threats of use.

There is a Cities Are Not Targets! Petition that everyone is invited to sign.
The Second World Congress of United Cities and Local Governments adopted the ‘Cities Are Not Targets!’ stance in its Jeju Declaration, November 2008.