Members of the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance and supporters gather across from the Y-12 National Security Complex to protest the plant’s proposed Uranium Processing Facility in April. OREPA will read a 1996 world court opinion on nuclear weapons during a Sunday vigil.
An Oak Ridge organization that opposes the nuclear weapons production work at the Y-12 National Security Complex has organized a Sunday reading of a world court opinion on the legality of the use, or threat of use, of nuclear weapons.
Open to the public, the reading will be part of a 5 p.m. weekly Sunday vigil at the main entrance to Y-12 at East Bear Creek and Scarboro roads.
It will celebrate the 17th anniversary of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, decision in 1996, the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance said in a press release. It’s the seventh year OREPA has marked the World Court anniversary with a public reading.
“It started out as a one-time reading to mark the 10th anniversary,†said OREPA coordinator Ralph Hutchison. “But as we read it, we found the document to be compelling, and we decided to repeat it the next year. And here we are, seven years later, still reading.â€
The press release said the World Court opinion was issued after hearing arguments from the United States and other nations, and it reviews the various arguments, reflects on the nature of nuclear weapons, places them in the context of the larger goals of humanity, and finally determines that “the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons would generally be contrary to common humanitarian law.
“While the court issued split rulings on several of the issues raised by the arguments, it spoke with one voice when it ruled, unanimously, that nuclear weapons states have ‘an obligation to achieve nuclear disarmament,'” the release said. “The court’s language echoes and strengthens the commitments made by the United States in 1969 when it promised, in signing the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, to pursue nuclear disarmament negotiations ‘at an early date.'”
Hutchison said the ruling has particular power today because the Nonproliferation Treaty is “in danger of unraveling with disastrous consequences.” He alleged that the work being done at Y-12 to extend the lifetimes of U.S. nuclear warheads is “in clear defiance of the court’s ruling.” He cited a claim made by former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, who testified in U.S. District Court in Knoxville that the nuclear weapons work at Y-12 is unlawful.
Clark testified during an April hearing for three anti-nuclear weapons activists who cut through fences in a high-security area at Y-12 on July 28 and splashed human blood, spray-painted slogans, and hammered on a uranium storage building.
OREPA said it has held nonviolent vigils for peace every Sunday for more than 13 years at Y-12. For more information, contact Hutchison at (865) 776-5050 or [email protected].
Jason Allison says
My question is, what’s the point? The only thing this group accomplishes is tying up law enforcement and basically costing the citizens of Oak Ridge money having to pay for the extra manpower.
mary connolly says
Perhaps the point is called Freedom of Speech or standing up for their beliefs, or the right as Americans to gather in a peaceful demonstration.
Happy fourth of July, Jason
Ck Kelsey says
Then Obama is against them .
Ck Kelsey says
Jason,Soldiers and military personnel have been treated very shabbily by the Obama regime.Especially the one’s that are returning with injuries.
Helen Standifer says
I don’t think Pres. O has improved veterans benefits enough. But since the republicans keep cutting resources for returning vets, it’s a little hard to do w/o the money. But at least Obama did not send them to invade and occupy a country that did nothing to us!!!!
Jason Allison says
I agree 100%. The VA has always treated us poorly too.
Jason Allison says
I don’t argue their rights as Americans, I argue their use of my dollars.,
mary connolly says
Jason,
I understand your point. We, as well as they, pay taxes. Unfortunately, we can’t choose how that tax dollar is spent. I wish we could.
Jason Allison says
I can’t honestly say I disagree with them, I just think their voices could be heard using different means.
Helen Standifer says
They aren’t using “your” dollars…”your” dollars are going to China to pay interest on the loans we got from them in order to invade and occupy Iraq. Always thought that war was kinda like if we invaded Mexico because of Pearl Harbor attack.
Jason Allison says
I know. it would have been SO much better to havelet the war drag on costingus our soldiers lives. But then again who needs our American soldiers anyway. We all know us soldiers ate baby killers and village rapers so we would be better off if we let us soldiers just die. If we continue to just focus on the negative side of nuclearproductivity we’ll forget what good came from it. How many xray machines were around before the 40s? Cancer research and treatment is just a fad isn’t it?
Helen Standifer says
I don’t even know what you are trying to say, Jason. And when they figure out what to do with the waste, I’ll take another look.
Jason Allison says
It’s people like you who tarnish what us soldiers do that really makes us question why we even bother. Do you even care that we
Helen Standifer says
yes, I care very deeply. I lost many friends in the Viet Nam “conflict”. My father was a decorated member of the 486th Bomber Group in WWII. I think our leaders should measure very carefully the need to get involved these civil wars all over the world. And when our soldiers do come home injured and missing parts, we should spend as much money as it takes to support these fine young men and woman.
Jason Allison says
Bong water……its bad…..shouldn’t drink it
Helen Standifer says
only if you want to. aren’t you all about individual freedom