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Peace Activists Say No to Space Weapons
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by Jay Kvale, W A M M
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While the attention of the world has been focused on wars in the Middle East, dangerous new developments in U.S. militarism are being implemented by the U.S. Strategic Command (StratCom), located at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. Since the 9-11 attacks, StratCom has become command central in the “War on Terror” and U.S. plans for military domination of the world—all part of a Global Strike strategy called Full Spectrum Dominance—control of land, sea, air, cyberspace, and space.
About 150 peace activists from around the world came to Creighton University on April 11-13 to protest these developments and educate the public about the dangers of space weapons and U.S. military empire-building (the U.S. now has about 800 bases in more than 100 countries). The conference was hosted by the Nebraskans for Peace affiliate of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space.
In addition to space weapons and military empire, other topics of the conference included missile defense, the Iraq occupation, potential attack on Iran, protesting military operations and war profiteers, and converting military industries to peaceful pursuits.
Some of the main presenters at the conference included:
• Bruce Gagnon (Global Network coordinator): A tireless campaigner against the militarization of space, Gagnon tours the country organizing demonstrations and protests. He stated: “Only by shining a light on StratCom can world opinion build against U.S. plans for space-directed endless war that only benefits the corporations that now run our government.” For more information on Global Network, see www.space4peace.org.
• David Swanson: An energetic political activist from the Washington, D.C., area, Swanson tours the country organizing antiwar protests and building support for the impeachment of Cheney. He gave workshops on organizing effective protests. His daily reports can be seen at AfterDowningStreet.org.
• Regina Hagen (Germany): Coordinator of the International Network of Engineers & Scientists Against Proliferation, she does extensive writing and speaking on nuclear disarmament and space issues.
• Andrea Licata (Italy): When the U.S. offered millions to ring the city of Vicenza with new bases, he led a massive demonstration of 200,000 people that blocked the deal. He is also working on converting the U.S. air base at Aviano to peaceful purposes.
• Pal Binguel (Philippines): A victim of torture under the Marcos regime and survivor of assassination and abduction attempts, he spoke with passionate fervor about the importance of people in Third World countries working together to oppose both dictatorships and foreign military domination.
• Stacy Fritz (Alaska): Coordinator of No Nukes North, she has led opposition to the long-range plans of the U.S. military to use missile defense as the first step towards complete weaponization and domination of space.
• Jacqueline Cabasso (California): A nuclear weapons disarmament expert, she described how the traditional triad of defense – Trident subs, missiles, and bombers – has been augmented by new networks of satellites, intelligence-gathering operations, and kill vehicles launched from space. With this new offensive capability, the White House now has the option to authorize an attack anywhere in the world within an hour, bypassing Congress and the people.
• Jeanne Pahls (New Mexico): She is coordinator of Stop the War Machine and leads a campaign to dismantle the 2,000 nuclear weapons stored at Kirtland AFB.
• Dave Webb and Lindis Percy (England): They have been leaders in UK disarmament issues and opponents of U.S.-dominated missile defense radar installations at Menwith Hill and Fylingdales.
• Young Dae-Ko (Korea): He successfully closed a bombing range and returned the land to the Korean people. He leads SPARK (Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea), which works on disarmament issues and the long-awaited goal of reunifying Korea and removing U.S. military forces from the Korean peninsula.
• Bishop Thomas Gumbleton (Michigan): He stated that Americans need to learn the recent history of our country and realize we are not the morally righteous hegemon that we often believe ourselves to be. He described his visits to Iraq and the devastating effects of infrastructure bombing, cruel sanctions, and military assault on millions of victims in the 17 years of U.S.- Iraq war.
• Andrew Wimmer: A St. Louis-area peace activist, he is coordinating groups to oppose a potential U.S. attack on Iran. He stated such an attack is not likely, but his groups are preparing to disrupt Boeing and McDonnell Douglas if the worst-case scenario becomes imminent. An appeal is being made to Pope Benedict and other prominent people to go to Esfahan, site of Iran’s largest nuclear reactor, and form a “peace shield” in defense of the people of Iran. For more information, see www.iranpeaceshield.org.
The participants from other countries expressed a liking for Americans but strong opposition to the military unilateralism, empire building, and new offensive space weapons being developed by our government. Many expressed hope that new political leadership in the U.S. may be able to halt the emphasis on waging war. American participants expressed the hope that increasing numbers of people suffering economic stress (loss of jobs, homes, health insurance etc.) will demand that lawmakers stop funding useless nuclear weapons, nuclear subs, missile defense, and space weapons.
A special award should go to Mary Beth Sullivan of Maine, who traveled all the way to Colorado in early April for a Space for Peace conference, then struggled through a savage snowstorm to make it to Omaha, where she delivered a stirring message on converting military industries to peaceful activities that can build a more humane world for everyone. |
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© 2008 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete June 2008 Index - click here
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