Summer 2023
IN THIS E-BULLETIN
HIROSHIMA/NAGASAKI REMEMBRANCE BLOCKADES AT NUCLEAR SUB BASES IN THE U.S. AND SCOTLAND
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVISTS RESIST U.S. NUCLEAR WEAPONS DEPLOYED AT BASES IN GERMANY AND THE NETHERLANDS
S. KOREAN ACTIVISTS ARRESTED DURING TWO FUKUSHIMA RADIOACTIVE DUMPING PROTESTS
PROTESTER ARRESTED AT N. AMERICA’S LARGEST WEAPONS CONVENTION
MEMORIAL DAY ARRESTS AT KANSAS CITY NUCLEAR WEAPONS PARTS PLANT
CODEPINK ACTIVISTS DISRUPT BUDGET HEARING
BUY YOUR NUCLEAR RESISTER T-SHIRT TODAY!
PLEASE SUPPORT IMPRISONED ANTI-NUCLEAR AND ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS – THE NUCLEAR RESISTER NEEDS YOU!
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Hiroshima/Nagasaki remembrance blockades at nuclear sub bases in the U.S. and Scotland
TEN ARRESTED AT BANGOR TRIDENT BASE
Ten nuclear weapons abolition activists were removed from the roadway at 7 a.m. on August 7 after blocking the entrance to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Washington state, site of the world’s largest concentration of deployed nuclear weapons. The blockaders, holding banners reading, “Abolish Nuclear Weapons” and “The Use…and Possession of Nuclear Weapons is Immoral – Pope Francis,” were apprehended by the Washington State Patrol, issued citations pursuant to RCW 46.61.250, Pedestrians on roadways, and released. The civil disobedience followed a demonstration at the entrance to the Trident submarine base by Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, which involved approximately 50 nuclear weapons abolitionists ranging in age from 16 to elders in their 80’s, and featured a flash dance in the roadway to the song, ”War: What is it Good For?”
Read more here.
LOCK-ON BLOCKS ENTRY TO FASLANE TRIDENT BASE
There were three arrests at Faslane Trident base in Scotland on August 9, Nagasaki Day, after activists locked themselves together and blocked entry into the base during the regular Wednesday vigil. One of their signs read, “Never Again”. One of the lock-on tubes took the police several hours to cut through. The nuclear disarmament activists were then arrested, charged with breach of the peace and taken to the Clydebank police station.
Read more here.
International activists resist U.S. nuclear weapons deployed at bases in Germany and the Netherlands
BLOCKING THE GATE OF BUCHEL AIR BASE
On August 14, 11 activists from the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and the U.S. blocked the gate of Büchel air base in Germany, where about 20 U.S. nuclear bombs are stockpiled. U.S. veteran Dennis Duvall wrote in pink paint on the driveway “Tatort” (crime scene) and “Atombomben” (atom bombs) to indicate that nuclear weapons are a crime under the German Constitution and International Law. The group also pasted broadsheets printed with Articles 1 and 2 of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons on the access road. Police gave the activists a one-day ban and bar letter, put them in police vans and released them in Müllenbach.
Read more here.
ACTIVISTS OCCUPY RUNWAY AND DIG UNDER FENCE AT VOLKEL AIR BASE
In the Netherlands, on the morning of August 8, ten peace and climate activists (six from the U.S., three from the Netherlands and a German doctor) entered Volkel Air Base, where about 15 U.S. nuclear bombs are stockpiled. They knelt on the runway, prayed for peace and glued down copies of Article 1 and 2 of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons on the runway (NATO’s “nuclear sharing” practice is in contradiction of the 1970 Treaty). They were taken into custody and later released with a small fine, which no one paid. The nonviolent resistance action took place as part of a week-long international peace and climate action camp at the base.
The following day, the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, 16 people were arrested when they started to dig a tunnel under the fence of Volkel Air Base. The Dutch, German, Italian and American activists meant to occupy the runway and call to abolish nuclear weapons and CO2 emissions by the armed forces. Police detained the activists one by one as they each picked up a pink shovel and began to dig. After questioning at the local police station, the military police released most of the group but took the four Americans to Venlo for further investigation. They were later also released, and the three Americans who were arrested at the base two days in a row had their passports stamped and are banned from entering the European Union for one year.
S. Korean activists arrested during two Fukushima radioactive dumping protests
UNION MEMBERS CLIMB ON TOP OF STATUE
Four unionists were arrested on the afternoon of August 12 in Seoul, South Korea while protesting Japan’s dumping of radioactive contaminated water into the ocean. Two of the members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) climbed with flags and banners on top of the statue of King Sejong the Great on Gwanghwamun Square. One of the banners read, “No to Japanese nuclear contaminated water – protect our sea”. The four protesters were arrested for violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act.
Read more here.
STUDENTS ATTEMPT TO ENTER JAPANESE EMBASSY
On August 24, South Korean police arrested 16 college students who entered a building housing the Japanese embassy in Seoul during a protest against Japan’s release of water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The protest, organized by a student group, took place on the day that Japan began releasing treated radioactive water from the catastrophically damaged power plant into the Pacific Ocean. They were released after 48 hours in jail.
Read more here and here.
Protester arrested at N. America’s largest weapons convention
On May 31, over a hundred people disrupted the opening of CANSEC, North America’s largest military weapons convention in Ottawa, where 10,000 attendees were expected to gather. Activists carrying 50 foot banners saying “Stop Profiting from War,” “Arms Dealers Not Welcome” and holding dozens of “War Crimes Start Here” signs blocked vehicle and pedestrian entrances as people attempted to register for and enter the convention centre. In police efforts to remove the protesters, they grabbed banners, and handcuffed and arrested one protester, who was later released without charges.
Read more here.
Memorial Day arrests at Kansas City nuclear weapons parts plant
On May 29, more than 60 activists gathered to march, mourn, rally and picnic at the Kansas City National Security Campus (NSC), where parts for nuclear weapons are made. At the end of the 13th annual Memorial Day event, 14 people crossed the purple line separating the NSC property from public property. Eleven retreated when warned of arrests, and three remained. Ann Suellentrop, Kimmy Igla and Rylan Scott Keeling were arrested, taken to a police station, processed, and soon released.
Read more here.
CODEPINK activists disrupt budget hearing
On the afternoon of May 16, CODEPINK activists disrupted a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C. featuring the Secretaries of Defense, Commerce, and State. The hearing, called “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 24 Budget Request: Investing in U.S. Security, Competitiveness, and the Path Ahead for the U.S.-China Relationship,” prioritized war preparations over de-escalation and cooperation. Wearing a shirt and holding a sign that both read “$$$ FOR THE POOR NOT WAR,” CODEPINK organizer Olivia DiNucci stood up and said, “We don’t need more money for the military industrial complex. We need money for the poor and the planet!” Security immediately told her to sit down and issued her a warning. When she went to leave she was arrested for peacefully and quietly holding up her sign as she walked out the door.
Read more here.
Buy your Nuclear Resister t-shirt today!
The Gloo Factory – South Tucson’s progressive, union strong print shop – has printed buttons, stickers, signs, banners, flyers and more for the Nuclear Resister over the years… and now, they’ve made a brand new edition of the Nuclear Resister t-shirt! The t-shirts are 100% natural color, heavy-weight cotton and made in the U.S. You can buy yours now! Available in medium, large and extra large for only $20 plus $10 shipping in the U.S. Please inquire about the cost of shipping to other countries by emailing nukeresister@igc.org.
Purchase a t-shirt here.
Please support imprisoned anti-nuclear and anti-war activists – The Nuclear Resister needs YOU!
The Nuclear Resister is a bare bones operation that depends on grassroots support to chronicle anti-nuclear and anti-war resistance, and support the women and men in prison for their acts of conscience. We need your help to continue this work – please read more here!! Or go directly here to make a secure online donation and find information about how to send a check. Each and every donation, large or small, will be gratefully received – thank you!