by Mack Johnson
Juila Ward Howe’s original 1870 proclamation, exhorting the world to oppose the evils of war, still has meaning today. For war has continued, and today the threats of militarism, nuclear war, and environmental collapse are intertwined.
Fortunately, so are the solutions. That is one of the messages of NuclearBan.us. Co-founders Timmon Wallis and Vicki Elson, will make a Zoom presentation on how diverting military spending to green jobs is possible. This keynote address is part of this year’s Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action’s Mother’s Day weekend event.
Plowshares activist and nuclear resister Father Steve Kelly, S.J., - a Jesuit priest who last year completed a 30-month prison term in Georgia for the ‘Plowshares 7’ nuclear resistance action at the Kings Bay, Georgia Trident missile naval base - may be able to speak via Zoom. The day’s events include a march to the Bangor main gate, vigil, and possible nonviolent direct action against nuclear weapons.
I have to say personally that I was struck in a previous talk by Vicki and Tim how “practical” it seems from their perspective to pay for a clean-energy economy. I feel grateful that we have speakers for Mother’s Day whose perspectives combine such clear moral vision and solid scientific and policy information.
We look forward to another combined in-person and virtual gathering. We are optimistic that many attendees will be double-vaccinated against COVID-19 (Of course! We’re mostly old!!) and able to come in person. To protect everyone’s health, we will require that guidelines for masks/face coverings, distancing and washing be followed, and that attendees bring their own food. Use of the house will be limited
Here is a general schedule, subject to change based on “weather and whether”:
9:00 House open, attendees gather via Zoom; social hour and informal check-in
9:30 Update on recent GZ activities OR a visit by Steve Kelly
10:00 Zoom presentation by nuclearban.us speakers Tim Wallis and Vicki Elson, with questions, discussion, the current situation, etc
11:00-1:00 Lunch, discernment, action planning, possibly Fr. Steve
1:30 Gathering circle for march to gate
2:00 Vigil, witness, possible action
3:00 return to GZ grounds, debrief, clean up. The help of any visitors in cleaning, picking up furniture and supplies, scrubbing bathrooms and general tidying is needed and appreciated!
More information at: Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action (gzcenter.org)