Way back in 1958, a group of Quaker anti-nuclear weapons activists sailed the Golden Rule towards the Marshall Islands to protest atmospheric nuclear testing, which both the U.S. and the Soviet Union were then engaged in. Radiation was turning up in cows' and human milk. They never made it: they were boarded by the U.S. Coast Guard in Hawaii and arrested. But their bold effort helped ignite worldwide outrage against nuclear weapons that resulted in the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963.
And the example set by the Goden Rule and her crew was the inspiration for subsequent environmental and peace voyagers and crafts that followed, from the Phoenix of Hiroshima to Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd.
Now, after many years languishing in Humboldt Bay, and twice sinking, the ship has been resurrected and put back into service by Veterans for Peace. And it's coming to Portland for "Fleet Week," bringing a message of peace in contrast to the glorification of war and war ships, when the Navy brings their weapons of destruction to Portland's waterfront.
Our guest for the hour is Helen Jaccard, Chair of the Environmental Cost of War and Militarism Working Group of Veterans for Peace and Golden Rule crew member, will be in town for several events, including a panel discussion next Wednesday, June 8 at the First Unitarian Church,.She is also the VFP Golden Rule Project Manager.
For full schedule of their tour and events:
http://www.vfpgoldenruleproject.org/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VFP-Golden-Rule-Project-221122271247448/
National Geographic article: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/06/150619-golden-rule-ketch-restoration-nuclear-weapons/
- KBOO