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VVAW Joins Anti-Nuclear Movement: No Nukes No Way

By VVAW

There has been a lot of action on this issue lately. Partly because we have a court case with much notoriety being waged from Madison—the Progressive magazine—but also because the big corporations are already starting to move in on people's land! Kerr-McGee, the corporation that was responsible for the death of Karen Silkwood, has begun to elbow its way in here in Wisconsin, on both private and Indian land. They also want to use the Indians as the miners, because there are long-term, adverse effects from mining uranium, and "it might as well be the Indians". Karen Silkwood was a woman, who was about to expose Kerr-McGee for its unsafe and corrupt operations when her car was run off the road; she was killed and the incriminating evidence that she was carrying disappeared. VVAW joins in the demands: "NO MORE NUKES!" MORATORIUM ON BUILDING NEW PLANTS!" "NO URANIUM MINING!"

The first demonstration that VVAW in Wisconsin participated in was at Haven, Wisconsin, where there are plans to build a new plant. We were asked to participate, but, it was the time of Vietnam Veterans Week, and we had planned the June 2 demo in Chicago. One of our members was part of the musical contribution, and so our presence was felt. When he announced he was from VVAW, the crown of 600 or so gave him a warm ovation. We are still recognized for the role we played in the anti-war movement.

On July 16, the anti-nuke forces in Madison gathered, to kick off a tent city on the lawn of the Capitol Building. The tent city was to call attention to a Moratorium bill on new building that was pending before the legislature. But, just as we learned in the anti-war movement, we can't always trust our "elected" officials to do what's right, so we must constantly go after them, as well as the rich class that controls them. So, the tent city was also to build for a demonstration in the Black Hills on July 6. We recently had a Vietnam vet, Dennis Kroll, come forward to help build VVAW chapter in Madison, so it was very positive when he was asked to speak.

The point about not relying on the system to correct itself was very loud and clear. The speeches were many, but all, without exception, laid the blame for our troubles on the system, and the rich who run it.

When it was our turn to speak Dennis tied in the veterans' role in the anti-nuclear movement clearly. As veterans, there was much exposure to nuclear weapons, which are often built for the military by the same corporations that build the power plants. We also talked about the up-coming draft bill, and how that relates to preparations for another war, and possible "strategic" use of things like the neutron bomb in "conventional" warfare! We also talked about "OPERATION SMOKEY". Here are some excerpts from the speech:

"As early as the 1950's, American GIs were used as guinea pigs for "Operation Smokey", which was the use of tens of thousands of GIs during the first nuclear bomb tests. These tests were experimental, to determine the effects of radiation on humans.

"1500 feet from Ground Zero, observers watched the shock waves roll toward them across the desert floor. Equipped with thick, dark glasses as their primary means of protection, they were supposed to be the source of all kinds of data. In some tests, a company of soldiers was put into deep trenches 1,000feet from the point of detonation. They were, plain and simple guinea pigs! If they survived the explosions, that meant that nuclear devices had a tactical use, and that troops could be sent in shortly after from nearby......."

"Well, VVAW says that, if these companies want to declare an energy war on the people of the US, let's fight back! We have the power to build a movement among the people to stop nukes, both power plants and weapons."

On July 13, 14, and 15, there was a three-day "NUKE WATCH", which began with a concert and program at the stock pavilion. Pete Seeger played music, and there were many speakers—this time focusing mainly on the case of the suppression of an article in The Progressive magazine. The article that has been suppressed has absolutely nothing in it that the American people should not have access to...it simply builds a very positive case AGAINST nuclear power, and thus threatens oil and utility company profits.

The base and focus of the work of VVAW is about and for the benefit of veterans and GIs, but we are not some special interest group that the government can buy off with a few crummy benefits. We are working for a better life for all, and we feel it is our responsibility to participate in this growing movement against the use of nuclear power and weapons. Nukes are a dangerous way for anyone to try to keep the world at bay, but especially in the hands of the system that exists now. WE WON'T FIGHT ANOTHER RICH MAN'S WAR!! NO NUKES!!