Green Pages

I have been invited to become a member of the Green Pages Editorial Board. This came after I was asked to write a feature for the summer issue of the Green Pages, which I did – read the unedited version here.

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The U.S. plan to detonate a 700 ton explosion of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil at the Nevada Test Site on June 2, 2006 in a test called “Divine Strake,” outraged disarmament activists worldwide. The location of this test was scheduled to be on Western Shoshone land, and would be in direct violation of a recent decision by the United Nations Committee on the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). In its decision, made public March 10, 2006, the CERD Committee urged the United States to “freeze”, “desist” and “stop” actions being taken, or threatened to be taken, against the Western Shoshone Peoples of the Western Shoshone Nation.

The Desert Greens Green Party of Utah joined the Stop the Divine Strake
Coalition as an organizing member of an International Day of Action planned
and held on May 28th at the Nevada Test Site. The Green Party of the United
States, the GPUS EcoAction Committee and the GPUS Peace Action Committee allsigned on to the coalition in support of stopping the Divine Strake test.

Word reached participants at the test site Saturday morning, May 27th, of the strategic announcement that the test had been “indefinitely” postponed and that protestors were “celebrating”. While it could be considered a “victory” that the test had been postponed, it was not exactly a “celebration”. Organizers and participants at the action agreed that
the pressure must not stop until funding is cut and tests are CANCELLED. Participants who had gathered at the test site moved forward with the planned program and action in an effort to voice opposition to the illegal occupation of the U.S. government on Western Shoshone Land, (in violation of the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley) and to the environmental impact that
resumed testing would have on citizens of the United States, not to mention
the connotations of resuming nuclear testing in efforts to continue aggressive war around the world.

A program just outside the test site gate on May 28th was led by Western Shoshone Leaders prior to a march where demonstrators rallied and engaged in direct action by crossing the line at the entrance to the test site. In an
unprecedented move, several indigenous activists also crossed the line. Two Desert Greens Green Party of Utah members, Deanna Taylor and Eileen McCabe-Olsen, joined about 40 other line crossers and as they crossed they informed armed personnel that they had permission to be on Western Shoshone land and that they did not condone the U.S. occupation of it. Taylor
and McCabe-Olsen had both obtained permits from the Western Shoshone
granting them permission to be on the land. Both were charged with trespassing
on Federal Land and a notice to appear in court or pay a $300 fine. The likelihood of this charge being enforced is low because of the legal ramifications over the issue of the Western Shoshone ownership of the land.

“There comes a time when each of us must stand up and be counted; to take risks to demonstrate our commitment against aggression, ” state Eileen McCabe-Olsen, member of the Sage Greens Local of the Desert Greens. “I was proud to cross the line in solidarity with the Western Shoshone, and have explained my actions to my 12-year old daughter. Unexpectedly, I have had co-workers and friends express their support. It is by this kind of direct action that we demonstrate to others what is possible when we think beyond our own comfort and safety.”

The fight is far from over. Desert Greens Green Party of Utah members plan to coalesce with the Western Shoshone and anti-nuclear activists in pursuing nuclear disarmament and for the return of the land to its right owners.

A complete account of the event with photos can be viewed at:
http://deesings.livejournal.com/294239.html
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I agreed to become an editor after the November elections and my candidacy for office is complete.

This is exciting to me. I love to write and this will help me further develop editorial skills. Additionally, it will be rewarding to work with editors from around the country on this national publication.