Peace Camp in England...

By Julie Gress

On December 4, 30,000 women and children gathered at Greenham Common Peace Camp in England in protest of the deployment of nuclear weapons (Cruise Missiles) at the American Air Force Base at Greenham Common. The protesters held hands and formed a chain encircling the 9-mile periphery of the base, chanting in unison "Give Peace a Chance." The outer grounds were illuminated by the light of thousands of candles and the entire fence was decorated with Christmas cards, letters of support from around the world, and banners made by European schoolchildren. This scene clashed dramatically with that on the other side of the fence: floodlights, focused on the missile silos and base buildings, outlined the rigid figures of the uniformed guards and their attack dogs.

I visited Greenham Common Peace Camp over Christmas, not knowing really what to expect from 'either the Air Force Base or the Camp. I was nervous because, as an American feminist struggling in opposition to a multitude of American values, I was here, in another country, being confronted by the Uncle Sam I hate. I suddenly felt very conspicuous and awaited the pointed finger that would acknowledge my guilt, guilt by association. But it never happened.

As I wandered the camp, working to feel the atmosphere, I felt overwhelmed by the spirit of the women living there. They are sleeping under pieces of plastic, in tents and minibuses; their meals are cooked over an open fire and some of them have been living there since the camp's establishment almost two years ago! These women, lesbians and non-lesbians, live together as sisters fighting against militarism and nuclear fetishism. It was beautiful, yet I could not revel in their good cheer and strength. The fact that here are British people, at Greenham Common and other peace camps, protesting the deployment of U.S.made nuclear missiles at U.S. Air Force Bases, while a very tiny voice here at their point of origin speaks insistently in opposition, overwhelmed me. I cried and ran, searched for other American women with whom to rant, and finally harnessed my despair into anger.

Strong opposition is easy to purport on paper and an occasional demonstration looks good in the media, yet neither of these should be the salve to anyone's political conscience. The military could ignore 17 letters of protest to their actions, but cannot ignore the outstretched bodies of 17 women blocking the entrance to their airbase. Even 30,000 letters can be thrown away or burned, while the chanting voices of 30,000 women cannot be so easily tuned out. Direct action is always a risky venture when considering how best to influence the `thinking of the populace. It is unfortunate that most people define what they consider acceptable by the constraints laws place on them and are alienated from the cause of anyone who identifies different boundaries.. Therefore, building and stockpiling weapons for the purpose of using them to kill us is legal and acceptable, whereas cutting a chain link fence in order to occupy a missile silo in protest to this gesture is illegal and unacceptable.

Yet, I was amazed at the unbelieveable support the

camp receives from both British and European citizens. Jen, a friend at Greenham Common, told me the camp receives a huge bag of letters and cards each day. The very fact that the local post office recognizes Greenham Common Peace Camp as a legitimate address is some proof of the public awareness and acceptance of their position. Over the holidays, supporters (visible and not) sent many, many boxes of food, piles of firewood, liquor, and Jen even received a pair of red woolen long johns in one of the hundreds of Care packages. It was ironic that the nearby town of Newbury disagreed with the establishment of a Peace Camp so close to their community and felt it brought them adverse publicity. Yet these same people eagerly accepted the camp's

donation of truckloads of food to be distributed to residents of the town.

While I was there I heard talk of the action scheduled for January 1st. Women were proposing that while Army personnel were celebrating the new year, a group of women would climb over or cut through the fence surrounding the base and occupy the silos. The organizers did not know how many women would volunteer, since it meant being arrested and possibly jailed. As it turned out, 44 women were arrested on New Year's Day. It was interesting to see how openly opinions flowed, signifying the tight bond built from trust. There was some discussion on whether the government had planted someone in the camp to monitor the protesters' game plans, but they decided that even if this were so, it was not worth censoring the open line of communication between the women in the camp, although it was stressed that future plans would not be discussed with visitors or family members.

There is talk around of founding a Peace Camp at Seneca Falls, New York this summer. This is exciting news and has been a long time coming. Our British sisters are providing the impetus to such a move, as their stamina has certainly strengthened our resolve. Okay, American women, let's make our voices heard!

...and in the United States

. A women's peace encampment is being planned for the summer of 1983 at Seneca Army Depot, New York. There is evidence that this depot stores the neutron bomb and is the departure point for the Pershing II's scheduled for Europe in late 1983. Seneca Falls, New York, site of the first Women's Rights Convention in 1848, is nearby. Exploring the connection between the oppression of women and militaristic values in our society is a unifying force for the women working on the encampment. This encampment was inspired by and will be a sister encampment to Greenham Common in England. Greenham Common and other peace encampments in Europe are on the sites where the Cruise and Pershing II's are scheduled to be deployed. Now there will be protests at both a planned departure point, Seneca Army Depot, and arrival points in Europe.

The Upstate Feminist Peace Alliance, the

Fingerlakes Peace Alliance and others from upstate New York have already begun focussing on this army depot. A demonstration was held in the spring of 1982 and leafletting continues at the base. Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and other national women's groups will work with local activists so that the encampment will enhance longterm local organizing for peace.

The opening date of the women's peace encampment is July 4, 1983, a true Independence Day. On August 26, 1983, Women's Equality Day, the day women won the vote, there will be a huge celebration at the encampment. If you are interested in preencampment helping with local education and activity about conversion possibilities, the Pershing Il's and the purpose of the encampment, contact Donna Cooper, WILPF, 1213 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Upcoming Anti-Nuclear Activities

February and March are active months for antinuclear activities both locally and nationally. February 4-6 will be the third national conference of the Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign in St. Louis, MO. The conference will discuss the direction of the campaign in 1983. All interested persons are encouraged to attend. For more information and to arrange transportation, call the Greater Cleveland Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign office at 631-2210.

On Monday, February 14, the Greater Cleveland Freeze and Physicians for Social Responsibility will sponsor a free showing of Helen Caldicott's latest film, "If You Love This Planet," at the Colony Theater in Shaker Square. You can also sign a 6 foot by 6 foot valentine to Congressional sponsors of the Freeze Amendment. For information, call 631-2210.

The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company has applied for a license to operate the $4 billion nuclear power plant under construction 35 miles east of Cleveland. Several anti-nuclear groups have formed the Perry Legal Defense Fund to support local intervenors contesting the license on such issues as inadequate evacuation planning, poor quality assurance of construction and various technical

issues. To request the opportunity to testify in the Perry case, write to the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555, Attention: Docketing and Service Station. For more information about the licensing case, contact members of the Perry Legal Defense Fund at 257-4968 (Lake County), 371-9018 (Cuyahoga County), 576-5515 (Ashtabula County) or write PLDF, Box 151, Jefferson, OH 44047.

Women Speak Out for Peace & Justice has nearly reached its goal of 10,000 signatures for the STAR (Stop the Arms Race) Campaign. The campaign was launched on International Women's Day last March. The signatures will be turned over to President Reagan and to NATO in Brussels on March 8, 1983.

Finally, a National Freeze Lobby will take place in Washington, D.C. on March 7-9. Activists will meet with their local Congressional and Senate representatives and lobby for passage of the Freeze resolution. In addition, the event offers an issues training seminar and the chance to stay over and watch as the House debates the Freeze resolution. Anyone interested in making sure her voice is heard for peace in Washington can call Polly or Eleanor at the Cleveland Freeze office, 631-2210.

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