Last month, the historic Golden Rule anti-nuclear sailboat* lead a “Peace Flotilla” in San Diego Bay, alongside the Navy’s Sea and Air Parade, the culmination of Fleet Week. The goal was to "provide an alternative message of peace,” says Gerry Condon of Veterans For Peace. “It is becoming more and more clear that military might is not the answer to the world’s problems – in fact, it makes them worse. Just look at the dangerous standoff right now between the U.S. and North Korea – this could lead to a catastrophic nuclear war with hundreds of thousands of casualties. Real diplomacy is urgently needed right now, instead of threats and shows of force.”
The event was a huge success and reached out to many passer-bys and civilians who came to watch. The action also garnered much media coverage, including some powerful video.
Golden Rule's disruption also moved a sailor stationed on one of the naval boats. Veterans For Peace received an anonymous note from one of them!
"VFP,
I've read your recent posts and articles about VFP's demonstration at the San Diego Fleet Week. I got a front row seat as I was one of the officers onboard one of the Navy vessels that participated in the Sea and Air Parade. In fact, your orange-sailed ship crossed our bow at one point during the parade. We slowed our speed prior to approaching Broadway Pier to allow you to sail through. I'd like to tell you all "thank you!" Thank you for what you all do and I highly respect VFP and the peace movement!
As a naval officer, I can tell you that it is increasingly difficult to continue training to do what I and many Sailors who work with me originally joined to do – train to defend our nation and support our Constitution - when our military is consistently stretched thin globally and used in an increasingly offensive manner to police the world.
I am very proud of the Sailors with whom I serve and I hear their concerns every single day. Many of them are as disappointed as I am that our military weapons and our tactics training are seldom used for the actual defense of the homeland, but instead used to provoke further never-ending conflict in far off regions of the world, bringing more unnecessary suffering to our fellow brothers and sisters.
Just as the cancer doctor works tirelessly to make their own job obsolete and as the humanitarian aid worker wishes that their job were no longer necessary, every servicemember and veteran should work toward the goal of military de-escalation and peace. I full-heartedly believe that the best way to support the troops is to support the peace movement!
My time in the Navy is coming to a quick-approaching end as my time commitment is soon to expire. I hope to join the movement full-time as soon as I hang up my uniform for the last time. Keep up the great work and thank you all for your service!"