We Have Got To Build A Future That Is Healthy...We Have Got To Start Today

Judy Robbins being arrested April 27, 2019 in Bath, Maine. Photo credit: Jim Anderberg

These are the words that peace and justice heroine Judy Robbins planned to share at Bath Iron Works last weekend. She decided to risk arrest by moving into Washington Street with two dozen others instead, so I am sharing them here. 

We are here

because we have something to say

and it’s important 

Senator Collins and Senator King

we want you to listen

Congressman Golden and Congresswoman Pingree

we want you to listen

we have been to your offices

we have written you letters

we have called you

we have sent emails and tweets

we need you to hear us

instead of listening to General Dynamics,

we want you to hear this message: 

the forests are on fire

the prairies are flooded

the oceans are dying

the air is toxic

this is a climate emergency

this is a climate crisis

it’s no longer global warming

it’s no longer climate change

Banner by Artists' Rapid Response Team (AART!) of the Union of Maine Visual Artists

it’s a climate crisis, a world emergency

and the earth needs your attention

Listen.

we have got to stop launching warships to kill people

we have got to build a future that is healthy

we can change this trajectory

and we have got to start today

love as if everyone is your sister or brother

take care of this world as if it is your beloved home

Judy Robbins April 27, 2019

Image: Anthony Freda

Now, compare Judy's wise words with this snarky unsigned op-ed in the Times Record ridiculing her conscientious action. It's pretty clear that the local newspaper in Bath is carrying water for General Dynamics, owner of BIW.

Consider contacting the editor of the TR here (he's already heard from me with a link to collected resources on Pentagon-fueled climate change):

John Swinconeck, Executive Editor

jswinconeck@timesrecord.com 207-504-8209
Local, State, Opinion

Protesters Arrested Demanding BIW Convert To Building For Climate Solutions, Not Carbon Belching War Ships #LBJ25

Most of us who were arrested at Bath Iron Works war ship "christening" 4/28/19, after our release from the Bath Police Department. 

Jim Anderberg, who supported the protest as a photographer, posted this comment: 

The last Zumwalt class destroyer was launched at Bath Iron Works today. 25 people were arrested in a protest. A $7.5 billion boondoggle. 

Think what that money could be used for to alleviate our use of fossil fuels and address the global warming crisis.

The #LBJ25 are mostly Mainers: Natasha Mayers, Whitefield; Ginny Schneider, South Portland; Jim Freeman, Verona Island; Connie Jenkins, East Blue Hill; Meredith Bruskin, Swanville; Suzanne Hedrick, Nobleboro;  Dixie Searway, Parsonsfield; Ridgely Fuller, Belfast; Dud Hendrick, Deer Isle; Dan Ellis, Brunswick;  Carolyn Coe, Orland; The Reverend Mair Honan, Freeport; Ethan Hughes, Belfast (who returned home from Bath by bicycle!); Russell Wray, Hancock; Judy Robbins, Sedgwick;  Robert Shetterly, Brooksville; Jason Rawn, Lincolnville; Mike Donnelly, Brunswick; Mary Garvey-Donnelly, Brunswick; Mark Roman, Solon; and Lisa Savage, Solon.

We were grateful to be joined by several Veterans for Peace who traveled to Maine for the protest: Ellen Barfield, Baltimore, Maryland; Don Cunning, Old Bridge, NJ; Julius Orkin, Bergenfield, NJ; and Roy Pingel, Queens, NY.

Other supporters of the protest: Peter Baldwin of Waldo County Peace & Justice who brought his drum; VFP members Ellen Davidson and Tarak Kauff, who designed and produced the banners pictured above; VFP's John Morris and Ian Collins, logistical and jail support; song leader Rosie Paul of Peaceworks; BIW stalwarts Maureen and George Oestensen of Smilin' Trees Disarmament Farm and Akemi Wray of Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats (COAST); photographers Peter Robbins, Roger Leisner, Regis Tremblay, and Richard Kane (who was on hand filming for a documentary on portraitist Rob Shetterly of Americans Who Tell The Truth) and a sound technician with Kane whose name I didn't catch before I was arrested.

It would be impossible for me to name all of the 75 or so folks who turned out yesterday, but I love you all!

Suzanne Hedrick, the eldest of those arrested, was featured in this great video by Peaceworks.


(If you're unable to view the embedded video, you can see it here on YouTube.)

I departed suddenly from my role as MC at the rally where speakers noted the urgency of the need for conversion as the Pentagon and General Dynamics/Bath Iron Works barrel full speed ahead toward the cliff of climate catastrophe. I look forward to videos sharing both the first half of the rally and the second half, which I missed after moving into Washington Street to help halt traffic.



A partial list of the news coverage:

"Twenty-five protesters arrested near Bath Iron Works" Darcie Moore, Times Record & Portland Press Herald

"BIW Christening" Kennebec Journal & Waterville Morning Sentinel

Dud Hendrick, VFP, engaged in civil resistance (Photo credit: David Sharp, Associated Press)

"LBJ's Daughters Christen BIW Destroyer Ship Bearing Their Father's Name" Caitlin Troutman, carrying water for the military industrial complex at Democrat leaning news service Maine Public.

The LBJ 25 were charged with obstructing a public way and ordered to appear in court on June 18 at 1pm in West Bath. 

If you're in the area, we hope to see you there!