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2007 STAR WARS ACTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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March 23-24, 2007 Contact: Bruce Gagnon globalnet@mindspring.com Regina Hagen regina.hagen@jugendstil.da.shuttle.de The Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space will be holding its 15th annual space organizing conference in Darmstadt, Germany on March 23-24. The group is made up of over 140 peace groups around the world who are working to oppose the introduction of weapons and nuclear power into space. The Darmstädter Friedensforum, the International Network of Engineers and Scientists Against Proliferation (INESAP), and the Pressehütte Mutlangen will cosponsor the annual space conference. The Global Network contends that the administration of George W. Bush has taken international cooperation off its foreign policy agenda. Full conference details are available here. See also: Conference Report |
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May 3, 2007 While the U.N. is hosting a large gathering of NGOs to talk about environment and sustainable development, WILPF have organized a meeting on space issues. Edel Havin Beukes from Norway and Carol Urner from Oregon set up a talk by Bruce Gagnon and arranged for some of the delegates to the U.N. to come. See: report of meeting |
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May 5, 2007
The conference in Prague on May 5th was extremely worthwhile. Representatives from Mouvement de la Paix, the Vicenza Campaign, Campaign for
Nuclear Disarmament, the German, Czech, and Polish peace movements were among those attending. A European network of those working on the issues of military bases in Europe has been
established. At the bottom of this email are links to the declaration that was written at the Prague conference and links to the record of the conference. Elsa Rassbach, rassbachberlin@yahoo.de Links to sound recordings of the Prague conference: Prague Declaration Made by participants in the International Conference against the Militarization of Europe: PEACE DOESN’T NEED NEW MISSILES - WE SAY NO TO THE US MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM IN EUROPE Faced with new US military plans to begin official negotiations with the Czech and Polish governments on May 10th, the signatories of this paper declare: We voice our protest against the plans of the Bush administration to install a “national missile defense system” for the US on the territory of the Czech Republic and Poland. Most people in the Czech Republic and Poland, as well as in the rest of Europe, reject plans to host this system. We reject the official reasons given for the NMD project as mere pretexts. The realisation of the US plan will not lead to enhanced security. On the contrary - it will lead to new dangers and insecurities. Although it is described as ‘defensive’, in reality it will allow the United States to attack other countries without fear of retaliation. It will also put ‘host’ countries on the front line in future US wars. The governments of Poland and the Czech Republic recklessly risk unleashing a new arms race, jeopardising the present framework of international agreements on nuclear non-proliferation and conventional arms control throughout the world, but especially in Europe. What we really need is disarmament as a precondition to peace and genuine human security. Peace initiatives, democratic and emancipatory political forces, women’s and environmentalist movements, trade unions and faith activists must come together in their resistance to this attempt to play one European country off against the other. We see our protest as part of a global movement against all foreign military bases and other infrastructure used for wars of aggression. It is a contribution to building peace in Europe and the world, and to empowering local communities to act together and protect their rights and guarantee their public role. European Union and Nato states must not participate in this new military adventure of the Bush administration. Peace remains our foremost task. We demand of those responsible in the European Union, especially President Klaus and President Kaczynski, to listen to the will of the people of the European Union. We demand that they act democratically and hold binding referendums on the deployment of NMD components in their countries. We emphatically reject the attempt to legitimise the US plans through the back-door of NATO and EU decision-making. Across a wide range of nationalities and walks of life, we call on you: Together let us do everything to prevent Europe from becoming the stage for a new arms race and a new politics of confrontation. We call on all people to take part in demonstrations and to speak with and write to their elected representatives, members of government and heads of state, to tell them that they do not want a new politics of confrontation and that this will be remembered at the polls. The participants of the International Conference against the Militarization of Europe Prague, 5 May 2007 Helena Franke, Ne zakladnam, Czech Republic |
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May 19, 2007
See: report of action |
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June 28, 2007
Presentation by Dave Webb of the Global Network and reports available here. |
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July 4, 2007 |
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August 6-9, 2007 The DM and Omaha CW Communities invite you to join us for our annual 3 1/2 day "shake and bake" vigil at the gates of Offutt Air Force Base, in Bellevue, NE. home of
the Strategic Nuclear (StratCom) and the US Military Space Commands. Contemplate with us the work and mission of these god-awful Offutt Commands, the challenges they pose to all life on our planet and the demonic claim it holds on the
soul and spirit of our nation. The vigil will begin at 8 a.m. each day and last until 8 p.m. (12 hrs) to Thursday Aug 9th. On Aug 9th the vigil concludes with a prayer circle and possible line
crossing at 11 a.m. Jerry Ebner, Omaha CW, See also: vigil report. |
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August 30 - September 8, 2007
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September 1, 2007
On Saturday 1st September CND will host a conference in London to co-ordinate Europe-wide opposition to the US National Missile Defence programme. This conference follows on from the 150-strong Prague Conference in May which saw delegates from 14 organisations spanning 9 European countries come together to formulate strategies and joint campaigns to oppose US plans for National Missile Defence, or so-called ‘Son of Star Wars’, bases in Europe. With speakers and delegates expected from the US, France, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, the September conference will discuss why we should oppose the latest aggressive project by the US and how we can work together in building opposition. Click
here for flyer or phone 020 77002393 to order copies. More details:
www.cnduk.org |
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September 8, 2007 Faslane is the UK’s nuclear submarine base, and central to the government’s plans to build a new generation of nuclear weapons. It currently hosts 4 submarines carrying 58 Trident missiles and up to 200 warheads – each 8 times more powerful than the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. Women from the Greenham Common peace camp started off the first three days of Faslane 365, a year long peaceful blockade of the naval base involving groups and organisations from Scotland, England, Wales and beyond. Since then different groups have been going along to show their protest and take action over a two day period. A particular session on Saturday September 8 has been set aside to focus on space issues as part of this year long protest – a Keep Space for Peace Block. You are invited and encouraged to take part and hear Bruce Gagnon from the Global Network. Bring food to share, warm clothes, waterproofs, musical or other instruments... sleeping bags and tents and camp by the base or stay at a campsite, youth hostel or bed and breakfast nearby. More Information Contact: Brian Larkin brian@faslane365.org For updates and general information on Faslane 365, or to download leaflets and a resource pack:
http://www.faslane365.org See: Report |
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September 11-12, 2007 Conference language is German and English Usage of outer space for an ever broadening range of activities is rapidly increasing and will gain even more im-portance in the future. It is apparent now that almost every area of public life will profit from, or be affected by, this development. Global technological development is creating rapidly increasing possibilities for the use of space. Besides the positive aspects for the well-being of mankind in general, one should also consider the dangers this may pose - in particular those which threaten security. These include not only possible military threats from space. The growing dependency on space-based systems - in areas like communication, navigation, or earth observation, for example - can also, in the event of blocking or hampering of these systems, lead to increasingly grave disruption to the economy and public life. The expenditure required to use outer space and to avoid the dangers which arise from the use of outer space is massive. It requires an interministerial approach as well as European and international cooperation. The conference deals with the political, security political, legal, economic and social aspects of the use of outer space, from a national as well as an international point of view. It highlights furthermore the current state of the use of outer space, foreseeable developments and risks and takes a look on technological trends and available technical solutions. Speakers include:
Studiengesellschaft der DWT mbH The conferences of the Studiengesellschaft der DWT mbH provide a neutral platform for the dialogue between the German Armed Forces, industry, government institutions, associations, research and politics. The conferences offer the opportunity to exchange information by means of lectures and the presentation of applications, products and services, through exhibitions and a unique opportunity to make new contacts. Generous break times between the lectures and presentations will allow for informal discussions and one-to-one consultations as well as for visiting the accompanying exhibition. Limited exhibition space is currently still available. For information please contact our office. We look forward to receiving your registration. Other registrations from your department are also welcome. Please register no later than 7th September 2007. Should you have any questions regarding the organization of the event or the event itself, please do not hesitate to contact the staff at our office. Click here for official program Tickets available
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October 4-13, 2007
Is this the world we want? Satellites, giant radomes, radar installations watching for military targets everywhere? Cruise missiles, weapons in space, global strike capability from U.S. bases around the globe? In Britain US National Missile Defence bases (NMD) operate without any Parliamentary accountability, disregarding the security of the British public. Fylingdales (a NMD radar station) and Menwith Hill (the biggest electronic spy station outside of the US), both in Yorkshire are crucial for the US Administration’s plans for ‘Full Spectrum Dominance’. NMD puts Europe in the front line and makes the entire world unwilling participants in a new Cold War. NO to new NMD bases in Poland and the Czech Republic and to space militarization everywhere. |
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Annual Peace Conference to Focus
on StratCom and Space Domination
From: Tim Rinne (Nebraskans for Peace) U.S. Strategic Command’s mission of militarizing and dominating the heavens will be the focus of the 2007 Annual Peace Conference Saturday, October 6 in Omaha. In a back-to-back, ‘double-feature’ presentation, Bruce Gagnon, coordinator of the “Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space,” and Emeritus Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit will jointly deliver the conference keynote address entitled, “StratCom’s Role in the Militarization of Space: An Update and Christian Response.” Continuing a decade-long tradition of cooperation, this year’s event will again be co-sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Omaha School of Social Work and Nebraskans for Peace. The special focus on StratCom, however, has also garnered the 2007 Annual Peace Conference some notable out-of-state support. As part of the “Keep Space for Peace Week” commemoration hosted by the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, the October 6 gathering has been officially endorsed by United for Peace and Justice and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, as well as the Iowa Peace Network and the Omaha and Des Moines Catholic Worker Communities. The day-long program will be held at First United Methodist Church, 70th and Cass Streets in Omaha, from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Advance registration, which includes lunch, is $25 and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for Social Workers and Licensed Mental Health Practitioners. Registration materials will be available early this month, or can accessed either by contacting the NFP State Office or at the NFP website. Between Bruce Gagnon and Bishop Gumbleton, a more qualified pair of presenters could not be found to address both the political and ethical implications of the new role StratCom has assumed in the wake of 9/11. A Vietnam-era veteran, Bruce Gagnon has spent more than 20 years organizing against the U.S. government’s effort to militarize and nuclearize space. Thanks to Gagnon’s particular interest in the transformation that has occurred at Strategic Command, the Global Network has chosen to hold its next annual conference in Omaha in April 2008 to spotlight the enhanced military threat StratCom now poses internationally. Bishop Gumbleton, of course, is one of the best-known disarmament advocates in the world, who throughout his storied career has consistently warned of the dangers of nuclear weapons. In recognition of his lifelong commitment to the disarmament cause (including an arrest for civil disobedience at StratCom), Nebraskans for Peace honored him as a “Peacemaker of the Year” at the 1999 Annual Peace Conference when he was the featured speaker. At that time, however - two years before the 9/11 terrorist attacks - StratCom served solely as the headquarters for America’s nuclear deterrent and its, theoretically, ‘defensive’ mission. Today, as the nerve center for offensively waging the Bush/Cheney Administration’s “War on Terror” (with both conventional and nuclear weapons) and its stated goal of absolute space dominance, StratCom is an even greater danger to international law and world peace. As the theme of the 2008 Global Network conference bluntly asserts, StratCom today is “the most dangerous place on the face of the earth.” In addition to the morning keynote address, the conference agenda will again feature an array of “Peacemaking Workshops” treating a variety of Peace & Justice concerns. There will be presentations on ending the Iraq occupation, the aerospace arms trade, renewable energy, immigration, Palestinian statehood, domestic violence, Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender civil rights, school anti-bullying efforts, Whiteclay, the death penalty and Nebraska political prisoner Ed Poindexter’s bid of exoneration. Mark you calendars today for a full day of Peace & Justice activism on Saturday, October 6 in Omaha. This year’s program promises to be every bit as informative and satisfying as previous years. Both Nebraskans for Peace and the UNO School of Social Work hope to see you there. Contact:
WalteRinne@neb.rr.com |
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National Demonstration
Against Missile Defense Radar
The people in Poland and the Czech Republic are increasingly agitated as the
Bush administration presses forward with plans to deploy "missile defense"
systems in their countries. |
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