|
During this month, we have shared first-hand accounts of a dramatic protest action that occurred in New London, CT in 1960 to disrupt the launch of one of the first nuclear-armed submarines in the world. We have also shared accounts of the arrested activists following the action and open letters written in response to the arrests. This week, we have a final open letter to present, written by one of the participants of the submarine launch disruption, Bill Henry, while in jail for that action. Bill Henry was 27 years old at the time; his six fellow direct actionists were all in their late teens. The other direct actionists inspired Bill Henry by their potent combination of youthful fearlessness, even naivete, and disciplined nonviolent action — a potency that was similarly and simultaneously being used to desegregate public life in the US civil rights movement. In the past couple of years, many people have realized that their society is more racist, violent, unequal, dangerous, ignorant, and wrong than they thought. But many have also been inspired by the incredible courage of a new generation of young activists and organizers confronting many of the greatest social problems of our time. As we wrap up the year 2021 and look towards the future, let us take to heart some of Bill Henry’s insights into youth, action, and nonviolence. See the first part of this story here: http://www.voluntownpeacetrust.org/a-peace-of-history-blog/challenging-a-nuclear-submarine-in-new-london-1960 See the second part of this story here: http://www.voluntownpeacetrust.org/a-peace-of-history-blog/consequences-of-challenging-a-nuclear-submarine-1960 See the third part of this story here: http://www.voluntownpeacetrust.org/a-peace-of-history-blog/multiple-tactics-to-expose-the-nuclear-threat-1960 See the fourth part of this story here: http://www.voluntownpeacetrust.org/a-peace-of-history-blog/only-three-honorable-choices-1960 (Click the image below to download the PDF version of the original newsletter clipping)  -- Take Action The CT Committee on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons organizes a few pro-disarmament demonstrations throughout the year. To participate in these demonstrations against nuclear arms and in support of the UN’s Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, please get in touch with us on Facebook or email us at [email protected] — Support Us If you like our weekly posts, please consider supporting this project with a one-time or recurring donation. Contributions of all sizes are appreciated. Click this link to learn more about what we do and how you can donate: https://www.mightycause.com/organization/Voluntown-Peace-Trust — Source Henry, Bill. “A Call to Youth Everywhere.” Polaris Action Bulletin. 29 December 1960 (Bulletin #17), page 4. In the following two letters, members of the Committee for Nonviolent Action (CNVA) explain the motivations for their actions and give a glimpse into their greater worldview. A month before these letters were published openly in the Polaris Action Bulletin, nine CNVA members were arrested during an action to disrupt the launch of the Ethan Allen nuclear-armed Polaris submarine in New London-Groton, Connecticut. The first letter challenges the prosecuting attorney to indict other (older and more “respectable”) CNVA members, invoking both the letter of the law as well as the spirit of general fairness. This remarkable act of solidarity helped to reframe the narrative of the case from a story of young hooliganism to a story of principled nonviolent activists with radical but logical opinions about the Cold War. Indeed, while the prosecutors did answer the challenge by indicting four more CNVA organizers along with the original nine, most of the charges would ultimately be dropped. In the second letter, even more CNVA members with strong reputations up the ante even higher with the challenge to either 1) indict all pacifists who have taken part in civil disobedience related to Polaris submarines (whether legally or not); 2) to drop the charges altogether; or 3) to resign their positions. Called “a Christmas letter,” this second letter appealed to Christian values that were more common at the time: challenge to unjust authority, love for thy neighbor, willingness to self-sacrifice for the greater good, and conviction to establish peace on Earth. While the second letter did not seem to have as much of an impact as the first, it was a decent play as it kept the prosecutors on their toes, not knowing what to expect from these nonviolent radicals. Despite the CNVA members being charged in court, it was the State that was on the defensive. See the first part of this story here: http://www.voluntownpeacetrust.org/a-peace-of-history-blog/challenging-a-nuclear-submarine-in-new-london-1960 See the second part of this story here: http://www.voluntownpeacetrust.org/a-peace-of-history-blog/consequences-of-challenging-a-nuclear-submarine-1960 See the third part of this story here: http://www.voluntownpeacetrust.org/a-peace-of-history-blog/multiple-tactics-to-expose-the-nuclear-threat-1960 (Click the image below to download the PDF version of the original newsletter clipping)  -- Take Action The CT Committee on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons organizes a few pro-disarmament demonstrations throughout the year. To participate in these demonstrations against nuclear arms and in support of the UN’s Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, please get in touch with us on Facebook or email us at [email protected] — Support Us If you like our weekly posts, please consider supporting this project with a one-time or recurring donation. Contributions of all sizes are appreciated. Click this link to learn more about what we do and how you can donate: https://www.mightycause.com/organization/Voluntown-Peace-Trust — Source Meister, Kenneth, Marjorie Swann, Robert Swann. “Text of a letter delivered to the U.S. Attorney in New Haven, Conn., Nov. 28:” Polaris Action Bulletin. 29 December 1960 (Bulletin #17), page 2. Dellinger, David, Madeline Gins, Arthur Harvey, Margaret W. Haworth, Kenneth Meister, A.J. Muste, F. Porter Sargent, J. Kathryn Sargent, Marjorie Swann. “Text of a Christmas letter sent to U.S. Attorneys McDonald and Hultgren, Jr.:” Polaris Action Bulletin. 29 December 1960 (Bulletin #17), page 2. During this month, we have shared newsletter clippings from December 1960 about a daring attempt to disrupt the launch of one of the world’s first nuclear-armed submarines, the Ethan Allen. We’ve shared firsthand accounts, including by those who made the attempt by swimming in the bracing November river water, as well as some of the consequences for those most directly involved in the action. This dramatic action was witnessed by many members of the public and the press, and the story and photographs made headlines around the world. The action was great for exposure, but not so much for educating about the ethical and existential dangers of the nuclear arms race. For that other objective, ten participants leafletted at the gate into the Electric Boat (EB) dry dock. Notably, most people there to see the sub launch that day ignored the activists as they entered, but many more became curious about the activists on their way out — only after witnessing the dramatic disruptions of the nine arrested. In this case, it was not that “actions speak louder than words,” but that such actions without words may be easily misunderstood, while words without actions are often passed over altogether. It is through the cooperation of bold direct actionists, friendly leafletters, and the organizers who coordinated all of these moving parts that this story made such a big splash back then, and why we can tell this story now. See the first part of this story here: http://www.voluntownpeacetrust.org/a-peace-of-history-blog/challenging-a-nuclear-submarine-in-new-london-1960 See the second part of this story here: http://www.voluntownpeacetrust.org/a-peace-of-history-blog/consequences-of-challenging-a-nuclear-submarine-1960 (Click the image below to download the PDF version of the original newsletter clipping)  --
Take Action The CT Committee on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons organizes a few pro-disarmament demonstrations throughout the year. To participate in these demonstrations against nuclear arms and in support of the UN’s Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, please get in touch with us on Facebook or email us at [email protected] — Support Us If you like our weekly posts, please consider supporting this project with a one-time or recurring donation. Contributions of all sizes are appreciated. Click this link to learn more about what we do and how you can donate: https://www.mightycause.com/organization/Voluntown-Peace-Trust — Source Christiansen, Mary. “Welcome Committee at EB Gate.” Polaris Action Bulletin. 3 December 1960 (Bulletin #16), page 3. “Millions See and Hear of Demonstration.” Polaris Action Bulletin. 3 December 1960 (Bulletin #16), page 3. Last week, we presented the story of two young men who swam in the bracing November waters of the Thames River to obstruct the launch of a nuclear-armed submarine, the Ethan Allen. These were some of the first nuclear-armed submarines in the world: the Polaris-class submarines which became a central part of the United States Cold War nuclear strategy. During that nonviolent action, other members of the Committee for Nonviolent Action (CNVA) attempted their own obstructions of the submarine launch, but were also apprehended by the authorities. All told, nine CNVA members (eight men and one woman) were arrested and thrown in jail — and then they started talking to the other inmates. Within days, both correctional officers and other inmates came to recognize the massive threat that the civil disobedience / nonviolent action strategy of the CNVA members presented towards the entire incarceration system in which they had been put. Again, despite failing to actually stop the launch of the Ethan Allen, the story of their time in jail gives another example of the power of a small but extremely disciplined and dedicated group. (See the first part of this story here: http://www.voluntownpeacetrust.org/a-peace-of-history-blog/challenging-a-nuclear-submarine-in-new-london-1960) (Click the image below to download the PDF version of the original newsletter clipping)  -- Take Action The CT Committee on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons organizes a few pro-disarmament demonstrations throughout the year. To participate in these demonstrations against nuclear arms and in support of the UN’s Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, please get in touch with us on Facebook or email us at [email protected] — Support Us If you like our weekly posts, please consider supporting this project with a one-time or recurring donation. Contributions of all sizes are appreciated. Click this link to learn more about what we do and how you can donate: https://www.mightycause.com/organization/Voluntown-Peace-Trust — Source Richman, Victor. “Boat Action and Consequences.” Polaris Action Bulletin. 3 December 1960 (Bulletin #16), page 2. In the summer of 1960, the Committee for Nonviolent Action (CNVA) came to New London to oppose the launches of the Polaris-class submarines, the first nuclear-armed submarines in the world, and to educate the local public about the dangers of those new weapons of mass destruction. But after the summer had come to a close, some CNVA members stayed in the area to continue their direct opposition to the submarines. One attempt to disrupt the launch of a Polaris sub, the Ethan Allen, occurred on November 22 of that year. Despite failing in its primary goal, the truly heroic efforts of the participants apparently left a powerful impression on some of the civilian and military witnesses. Moreover, as we shall see in next week’s follow-up story, the nonviolent direct action strategy proved to serve the CNVA members well, even when they were sent to prison. (Click the image below to download the PDF version of the original newsletter clipping)  --
Take Action The CT Committee on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons organizes a few pro-disarmament demonstrations throughout the year. To participate in these demonstrations against nuclear arms and in support of the UN’s Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, please get in touch with us on Facebook or email us at [email protected] — Support Us If you like our weekly posts, please consider supporting this project with a one-time or recurring donation. Contributions of all sizes are appreciated. Click this link to learn more about what we do and how you can donate: https://www.mightycause.com/organization/Voluntown-Peace-Trust — Source Henry, Bill. “Nine Arrested in New London.” Polaris Action Bulletin. 3 December 1960 (Bulletin #16), pages 1-2. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
March 2023
Categories |
RSS Feed