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NEWS & LETTERS, December 2002
Environmental justice peace demonstration
Memphis, Tenn.--Over 35 people participated in a
demonstration last month in front of the Memphis Defense Depot. Activists from
several states gathered in a peace rally to link the hazards of weapons of mass
destruction used in foreign wars to environmental health concerns of the
community of South Memphis. Special attention was given to the relationship
between a possible U.S. attack on Iraq and the domestic terrorism by the U.S.
government fostered on American communities near federal military facilities. Many people think that the effects of a war only start when
the bomb is dropped. But the toll of weapons of mass destruction has been adding
up for over 50 years along the nuclear chain within the U.S. Earlier this year
at a "Bands against Bombs" rally, the theme of a speech I gave was
"Follow That Bomb." Shortly after, Voices in the Wilderness formed
partnerships with communities affected by pollution generated by military
facilities to start a peace tour that actually followed that bomb. They visited
sites throughout the U.S. to follow up on the health effects of the mining
operations, laboratory facilities, storage and distribution, and testing at
federal facilities and federally contracted corporations. Many people drove by our demonstration, most showing
approval and some disgust. One driver slowed down to carefully read the signs of
the protesters. As he came to the end of the line of people he shook his head,
shouted obscenities, and put up his middle finger. Shortly after, another car
passed. This time a passenger about eight years old read the signs, and threw up
his fist in the sign of Black liberation with his mother smiling approval. At the end of the demonstration, people gathered to hear
speakers from Defense Depot Memphis, Tenn.--Concerned Citizens Committee, Youth
Terminating Pollution, and the Mirror of Truth Tour, whose words connected all
communities. I spoke about the nuclear fallout that starts long before the bomb
is dropped. There were leaking nuclear warhead missiles stored at the Defense
Depot. In the process of cleanup, one of those missiles was misplaced, but the
Department of Defense and Department of Energy signed off that all the weapons
were accounted for. I spoke of how the contaminated air in South Memphis rolls
on. The contaminated water table is seeping into the Memphis Sands Aquifer, the
source of our drinking water. There are not any invisible walls to separate
socio-economic classes, races, ethnicity, or gender when pollution enters the
atmosphere. It simply does not discriminate. Being a vegetarian won't keep you
safe because the food chain, the soil and water are connected. Think about my community. Take a deep breath. Just think
that could be the breath of death. That is the type of terror that this
community has been living with for over 50 years. War does not start where the
bomb drops. It starts somewhere close to where you are. --Marquita |
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