Ground Zero

Dear Friends,

As we move into a new year it is natural (and important) to reflect on the previous year. At Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action we had a full year in resistance to Trident and working to abolish nuclear weapons. It was a year of joys and sorrows.

We held our three major annual actions at Bangor, continued to support Disarm Now Plowshares, put out a quarterly newsletter (CLICK HERE to read the January 2012 issue) to keep everyone informed and engaged, had Dennis Kucinich visit Ground Zero Center and give a landmark speech, worked to stop the Navy’s plans for a Second Explosives Handling Wharf at Bangor, and more.

We lost our dear Jackie Hudson to cancer, and honored her well. At her memorial the approximately 150 participants tied at least that many origami cranes to the Bangor fence and held a vigil at the Bangor main gate in. The song, Jackie’s Waltz, lifted our spirits, and Jackie’s gentle (yet firm) admonition to “take just one step out of our comfort zones” follows us into the New Year.

As we begin this New Year there is a roll for each of us in this work for a better world for future generations. At each of our actions – on MLK weekend, Mother’s Day weekend, and Hiroshima/Nagasaki weekend – there are many ways to participate, from vigilers to Peacekeepers to arrest riskers. Throughout the year we can spread the message of nonviolence and nuclear abolition throughout our communities outside of GZ. And in this New Year we will continue to push back against the Bangor Second Explosives Handling Wharf, while we begin a campaign to stop the Navy’s plans for a new generation of ballistic missile submarines that would operate through the year 2082 (according to the Navy’s plans).

We are leaping out of the starting blocks with trials and our annual MLK events in January. Read further to get the details.

Thanks to all of you for your support and engagement in 2011. May we continue in the coming year to work together in the spirit of nonviolence toward a world at peace with justice and free of nuclear weapons.

Peace and Good Wishes,

Leonard