Bix reports on the youth led action at Trident Sub Base Bangor, WA

[Joe Power-Drutis]

In conversations with Ciaron O’Reilly, Pat Gaffney and Bruce Kent in
London; Gerry Hughes, S.J. in Oxford; Brian Larken, Jane Talents, Rev.
Allan McDonald, and Cardinal Keith O’Brian in Scotland, it was
strongly agreed that our different countries must support each other
and be in solidarity with those carrying out actions and events to
abolish nuclear weapons and the Trident delivery system.

On April 14th young people from the Tacoma area came together to carry
out a planned resistance event at the gates of the Trident Sub Base at
Bangor, Washington at the same time that a large blockade action at
the gates of the Trident Sub Base in Faslane, Scotland was taking
place.

Prior to the event at Bangor there was a planned video/Skype hook-up
at Jeans House of Prayer at the Tacoma Catholic Worker; supporters of
the blockade in Faslane connected with the youth of our community who
were on their way to the resistance event at Bangor, and a sense of
solidarity evolved. At 11:45 AM (PST) the youth of Tacoma (expressing
reasons why they oppose nuclear weapons) were in touch with a room
full of Scottish resisters who cheered and waved signs. Some of the
youth present were Will Bently, Elias Rodkey, Rosie James, Claire
Bently, Amanda Brown, and Kaitlin Martin. They identified themselves
and expressed why they were there. Sam Colella led us in singing
“Yellow Submarine” but with a modified version – changing yellow to
Trident.

We concluded our Skype connection and solidarity wishes with singing
together “We Shall Overcome”. After this we car pooled to Ground Zero
Center for Nonviolent Action, where we gathered in preparation for our
walk to the Bangor gate. We were welcomed by Connie Mears then Will
Bently called us into a circle and thanked all for coming. Brenda
Gallo and Eli Rodkey expressed why they had come. There were words of
support for what the youth were doing from Mary Gallagher, Ruth Gallo,
and Niko Colella. After this all assembled recited the pledge of non-
violence. The group was fortunate to have Mira Leslie and Mary
Glystein as peace-keepers who gave instructions on how the group would
safely proceed to the main gate of the Bangor Base; following this
Peter Roderick led the procession with drumming.

On arriving near the entrance to the Bangor Base, we assembled in the
usual place of demonstration which is bordered by a white line
restricting entrance onto the state highway and a blue line
restricting entrance onto federal property. No sooner had we assembled
than a group of 5 marines with a guard dog assembled on the other side
of the blue line. Will Bently welcomed everyone then he, Gabe and
Quinn spoke of why they were there. We were led in song by Kaitlin
Martin and George Rodkey.

Then all of the assembled greeted the marine guards with waves and
words which said we were brothers and sisters and not enemies; mindful
that we wanted the best for them while we work for a nuclear weapon
free world. This was followed by a communal blessing of the guards led
by Gerri Jones. Our gathering was ended by a reading from Martin
Luther King by Amanda Brown. This reading stated that non-violent
action first affects the participant and does not immediately have an
effect on violence inherent in nuclear weapons.

We were a vulnerable, rag-tag, insignificant group gathered in a
“cloud of unknowing” of the deep, devastating forces of violence that
protects nuclear weapons. Though most had a general idea of why we
were there, for many the reason of our gathering was a bit fuzzy and,
for some, confusing.

We were like long-legged, spindly spiders trying to avoid a puddle. We
were the stuff out of which an amused and joyful God writes on our
fleshy hearts about the Kingdom (Kindom) coming.