Applying the tools of democracy at the Port of Olympia: Port Militarization Update

author : Port Militarization Resistance topic : Port Militarization Resistance | Port of Olympia

Olympia Port Militarization Resistance (PMR), a local grassroots organization, has launched a campaign to end the community's participation in the illegal and immoral occupation of Iraq. PMR seeks to prevent the US military from using the Port of Olympia to ship equipment to Iraq as part of President Bush's escalation of the conflict.

Since the US invasion in 2003, the US Army has shipped equipment bound for Iraq through the Port of Olympia. The shipments to Iraq mark the first time in over fifteen years that the Port of Olympia has accepted military cargo.

According to Olympia City Councilman TJ Johnson, "a majority of Americans and local residents oppose the continued occupation of Iraq, and an even stronger majority oppose Bush's escalation. Using the Port of Olympia to ship equipment to Iraq goes against the will of the majority in the US and within our own community. Therefore, we have a democratic responsibility to resist."

PMR will use a continuum of actions to prevent military equipment from being shipped through the Port of Olympia. The continuum includes public education, targeted communication with key elected officials, non-violent civil disobedience, and a Festival of Life to celebrate the community's opposition to war and violence.

"We know that a strong majority of local residents oppose the war. Our campaign challenges people to think about how they want to focus their opposition. The continuum of actions provides a wide variety of ways for people to participate," said Sandy Mayes, a registered nurse who has worked in the Olympia community for 24 years.

According to the National Priorities Project, Thurston County's share of the cost for the invasion and occupation of Iraq exceeds $300 million. Dr. Muhammad Ayub, a member of the Green Party of South Puget Sound, notes that the money spent in Iraq would be better off invested at home to maintain infrastructure, improve education and health care services, and address critical problems like global warming. According to Ayub, "we have an economic obligation to resist the use of our port to support the occupation of Iraq."

Wes Hamilton, a Vietnam veteran and member of Veterans for Peace believes that "the best way to support the troops is to prevent them from being placed into the midst of a civil war where they have a high risk of killing or being killed. We have a moral and humanitarian obligation to resist the use of our port."

A critical aspect of the PMR campaign is an explicit commitment to non-violence. PMR has adopted a statement that affirms non-violent social change as a means for people to discover their own power, create democratic structures, and realize justice. The statement includes a pledge to refrain from physical assaults, verbal harassment and malicious sabotage. It also includes a commitment that all of its events and meetings are transparent, inclusive and democratic.

"Through this campaign, we have a unique opportunity to show our community and our country that non-violent social change is possible, and that each of us has a role to play in ending the nightmare in Iraq," said Johnson.

Thurston County will not finance Port security

During the last week of Feb, the campaign stepped up its efforts. Members of PMR met with Thurston County Sheriff Dan Kimball on Friday, Feb 23. The goal of the meeting was to open a line of communication between PMR and the sheriff's office in anticipation that the sheriff's office would provide security for military shipments targeted for blockage by PMR. During the meeting, Kimball revealed that the County will not provide security unless Port officials guarantee reimbursement of all costs, and assume all liability for potential civil litigation that may arise from the protests.

"It was a very positive meeting," said Hamilton. "We support the County's position that the costs for these shipments should not be borne by County taxpayers."

Members of PMR also spoke at the Thurston County Commissioners' meeting on Feb 26, and at the Port Commission and Olympia City Council meetings on Feb 27. The lobbying is part of PMR's continuum of actions currently focused on public education and communication with key elected officials.

In his comments to the County Commissioners, Johnson thanked them for taking action consistent with the views of a majority of their constituents. Later Johnson added that "A strong majority of Thurston County residents oppose the ongoing occupation, and even more oppose Bush's escalation. The decision by the sheriff and the commissioners to end their support for the occupation is consistent with their obligations as democratically-elected representatives."

Civil disobedience workshops

While PMR is working aggressively to prevent military shipments bound for Iraq, it is also preparing for the potential that equipment will nevetheless be shipped through the Port of Olympia. The group plans to use non-violent civil disobedience to physically block such shipments.

PMR has organized several workshops to train community members interested in participating in civil disobedience. The first workshop is Sunday, March 4 from 10 am to 6 pm at The Evergreen State College Seminar 2, Room e3105. The second workshop is Thursday Mar 8 and Friday March 9 from 5:30 -- 8:30 pm. On Mar 8, the workshop will be at the United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way se. The March 9 workshop will be at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2200 East End St nw.

Molly Gibbs, a local mother who has organized the workshops, encourages anyone planning to participate in civil disobedience to attend. According to Gibbs, "The workshops will provide skills to help all participants support each other in the spirit of non-violence agreed to by PMR."

Caitlin Esworthy, an Olympia resident and student at The Evergreen State College, plans to attend the workshops. "Non-violent civil disobedience is an important part of the continuum of actions to prevent the military's use of the port," said Esworthy. She added that "the workshops will help people learn techniques and strategies for applying some of the strongest tools of democracy -- tools that have been historically used to win and secure our freedoms, such as civil rights, women's rights, and workers' rights."

PMR believes that its campaign will provide a powerful model for other communities seeking to end their participation in the occupation of Iraq. "Our efforts in Olympia can serve as an important beacon of hope and inspiration for other communities frustrated by the ongoing violence in Iraq," said Mayes.

The PMR campaign is endorsed by Veterans for Peace #109 (Rachel Corrie Chapter), Olympia Chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War, Green Party of South Puget Sound, Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace, Students for a Democratic Society, Olympia Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Committee.