37 arrested at Indian Island for "Declaring Peace": Munitions storage site draws 500 to protest Iraq Occupation

topic : Indian Island | nuclear weapons

PRESS RELEASE- "The primary tools of death and destruction for the Iraq/Afghanistan occupation and war are contained at Indian Island," says Marion Ward, associate member with Veterans for Peace.

A group of 500 very diverse people gathered at HG Carroll Park, near Port Townsend, to protest the occupation of Iraq. Over 200 marched on a 3.7-mile walk to Indian Island Naval Weapons Depot, the largest on the west coast. Surrounded by 200 peaceful supporters, 37 non-violent, law-abiding folks were arrested.

"I really believe this administration intends to go into Iran. 'Diplomacy' is not diplomacy, it's just going through the motions. I believe we must say NO to Iran and get out of Iraq. We need to say we made a big mistake -- we need to protect ourselves through negotiation of needs and seeking truth," said Bernie Meyer.

Sixteen people from Olympia, ranging from 17 to 70 plus, attended the event. Molly Gibbs and Bernie Meyers chose to be arrested, based on their personal convictions. Gibbs views the action as bearing moral witnesses to illegal war.

Why? "I cannot tolerate 3500 Iraqis tortured and killed each month for the benefit of oil interests," declared Wes Hamilton, Olympia activist with Stop the War. "We are moral witnesses to genocide; our soldiers and American weapons are used to keep Iraq in the control of our 'leaders.' Interestingly, they are current or recent Board members or executives of: Lockheed Martin, Halliburton, Exxon-Mobil, Bechtel, Chevron, Kissinger & Associates."

Bombs, bullets, torpedoes and missiles are loaded at Indian Island. Weapons are shipped by crane from the water; truckloads of uranium munitions travel the I-5 corridor. The Navy was sued in federal court to release documents on explosives handling near Port Townsend. Naval officials were not present at the gates when we were arrested. The Navy refuses to release information regarding safety concerns. No public hearing has been scheduled to answer questions of Port Townsend residents.

For the past three years, Olympia Veterans for Peace Chapter 109 have supported the Port Townsend Depleted Uranium Study Team (DUST). There is nothing depleted about the heavy metal, particularly when exploded inside a tank.

Uranium, left over from nuclear weapons production in the US, is hazardous waste. It's cheap for DOD use and will penetrate armored vehicles like "slicing through butter." Upon impact, exploding into flames, the ("pyrogenic") molecules become more toxic once they enter your lungs. Cancer is commonly a result. Genocide is the result of using this weapon on the Iraqi and Afghani people  --  many have seen horrific photos of the babies born in Baghdad in recent years.

Our soldiers now report very similar birth defects to those seen in Iraqi children. We are poisoning ourselves. Our gene pool is threatened as the war drags on ad infinitum.

"After the war ends, consider what the Iraqi people face. Unknown to them, their soil, water and air are contaminated with a killer more potent than bacteria and viruses. No immunity is possible and no cleanup is possible. The radioactive isotope will emit ionizing radiation for 4.5 billion years," explains David Jenkins of Port Townsend DUST.

All this is done in our name, with our tax dollars. We have the weapon of mass destruction and we use it -- without impunity.

We heard today yet another request for funds to repair tanks and equipment in Iraq. Plus, further allegations that the President of Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Professor Juan Cole, expert on Iranian affairs, clarifies what is known about nuclear weapons in Iran. The current president is adamantly opposed to nuclear weaponry on moral and religious grounds. The number of centrifuges available to Iranian scientists will achieve nuclear power for energy use only. He commits other actions we would find objectionable; nuclear proliferation is not one of them.

"Fool me Once -- no Iran War" is a motto with Veterans for Peace 109 Chapter. " We declared peace throughout the Middle East today," said Molly Gibbs, VfP associate member. "We want people worldwide to understand that over 70% of Americans and 72% of our soldiers oppose occupation and war. We oppose use of weapons of mass destruction. We oppose the exploitation of our soldiers and lies from the corporate government."

"Veterans for Peace educates the public about the costs or war," said retired Lt. Colonel George James, 109 Chapter President. "The 2693 grave markers displayed (at the Park) illustrated the loss of life, easy to see. The loss of life due to radiation, something one cannot sense in anyway, is just one more effect of a genocidal policy through the use of radioactive munitions. We went to support the requests of the Port Townsend community that the Navy respond to their concerns about Indian Island."