Peace Action Leads Protest of New Aegis Destroyer
On June 23, at 3:25 p.m. Bath Iron Works will launch the Aegis Class
Destroyer U.S.S. Mason. Peace Action Maine will have a strong presence at
this event, protesting the launch of another deadly weapon from our home
state. We plan to have at least 50 demonstrators and songs from our own
Raging Grannies in addition to colorful signs and chants.
The Aegis Destroyer carries 56 nuclear-capable Tomahawk missiles, each with
the explosive capacity of 200 kilotons --- equivalent to 15 Hiroshima atomic
bombs. In addition, it carries a 1 KT nuclear depth charge, a 20 mm Vulcan
Phalanx gun that shoots 3,000 rounds per minute, each tipped with a depleted
uranium penetrator. The missiles were used in the Gulf War, the
pharmaceutical plant in Sudan and against Bin Laden headquarters in
Afghanistan.
The Mason honors a former Navy ship, the first warship to have an all-black
crew, though all the officers were white. We see an irony in the fact that
this vessel, named in honor of African-American naval personnel, will be
used to launch missiles and support military intervention in countries
predominantly populated by people of color around the world.
When the U.S.S. McCampbell was launched last July, Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright spoke of the strong military necessary for America to
fight terrorism and protect democracy overseas. I remembered her response to
a question regarding the 500,000 children who had died in Iraq as a result
of U.S.-led sanctions: "This is a very hard choice, but we think the price
is worth it." Our government is too often ready to sacrifice the lives of
others to enforce its foreign policies.
Standing in the audience, I was unable to contain my disgust, and yelled,
"How can we even speak of building international justice while we arm
dictators in Colombia, Indonesia, and Turkey?" Two state police officers
grabbed me from behind. As I was being pushed through the crowd, several
people yelled, "break his arms!" and "they should beat the crap out of him!"
I admire the courage of those who have gone much further to stand against
the unjust actions of our government, risking their jobs, their freedom,
even their lives. Though it sometimes seems that we are swimming against an
inexorable tide of apathy or misguided and blind support for the U.S.
government, our activism reminds the public that there are many people in
this country willing to stand against the base actions of their government.
As the American war machine stamps out the rights of people around the world
in its quest for world military, political and economic dominance, someone
has to be there to stand up and say, "This is wrong and must be stopped.
There is a better way to live in this world."
Please come stand with us. We will gather across from the Iron Works gate at
2:30 on Saturday, June 23. Call 772-0680 for more information about the
event.
Back to Peace Talk Index, Summer, 2001