Those involved in Chain Reaction 2016 will have no trouble agreeing that its campaigning time has passed in the twinkling of an eye, most certainly shaking up an incredible number of cities with creative nonviolent events and actions to protest nuclear weapons activities and to celebrate nuclear disarmament initiatives.
Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action was a distinguished co-sponsor of Chain Reaction organising a variety of activities in the nearby area of Bangor, Washington, home of the largest concentration of deployed nuclear weapons in the United States. Celebrations started with their very own Annual Peace Fleet demonstration being joined by the historic peace boat the Golden Rule, known for its omnipresence on Northwest Pacific sailing routs, spreading the Veterans for Peace stand against war and nuclear weapons.
The Hiroshima and Nagasaki weekend stood for a height in Chain Reaction 2016 events, and Ground Zero certainly embraced these commemorations. On Sunday, August 7, a Eucharist took place at the Main Gate of the Bangor Trident base reminding us of the sanctity of human lives in face of the threat that nuclear weapons pose us. Participants later went to Kitsap Mall to distribute educational leaflets to raise awareness of the Bangor Trident base. A banner designed and sponsored by the organisation was also going around town via Seattle Metro Transit buses where it could be read “20 MILES WEST OF SEATTLE IS THE LARGEST CONCENTRATION OF DEPLOYED NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN THE U.S.”.
Bus with the promoted message from Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action
An early morning vigil also took place on the following day again in the Main Gate of Bangor, when later four activists of the organisation entered the roadway carrying banners and peacefully blocking traffic into the base. Two of those activists, who were cited by the Washington State Patrol, later had their charges dismissed by a judge “in the interest of justice.”
For the anniversary of the Nagasaki atomic bombing, on August 9, a water-based nonviolent protest and witness for peace was staged in the Hood Canal at the Bangor Base – namely “Boats by Bangor”. The Golden Rule led the flotilla. This non-violent demonstration, in collaboration with Veterans for Peace and the annual Pacific Northwest Interfaith Peace Walk, was crucial to highlight the presence of Trident submarines loaded with Trident D-5 missiles and nuclear warheads in the Bangor Trident base.
The fact that Ground Zero staged such event in the Hood Canal is extremely significant for the area is held under strong control by the US Navy secured by federally established security zones enforced by their personnel. Nevertheless, the flotilla from Ground Zero was treated in a professional manner by the security stronghold.
“Chain Reaction 2016 gave Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action a unique opportunity to act in solidarity with so many others around the world in common cause. All of that positive energy was such a boost to our spirits, and has provided the impetus to magnify our efforts in the year ahead.”, says Leonard Eiger, Media and Outreach Coordinator of Ground Zero, when asked what it meant for his organization to be taking part on Chain Reaction 2016.
Media on the August events of the Ground Zero August events can also be found in the resources found bellow:
- Ground Zero Boats by Bangor 2016
- Ground Zero Hiroshima/Nagasaki Weekend of Remembrance & Action
- Singer/songwriter Mike Stern singing the Ballad of the Golden Rule as the Golden Rule sails by the Bangor Base on August 9
- Glen Milner speaking about the Bangor nukes in a video interview by Mike McCormick while sailing by Bangor on the S/V Silent
Chain Reaction 2016 has ended on October 2, International Day for Nonviolence (Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday).
By Caroline Leroy, Program Director, Basel Peace Office
Desk Officer for Latin America, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and DisarmamentSupreme x Air Jordan 11 Custom Gym Red-White For Sale