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PLC 2020 To Highlight GZ Roots, Solidarity With Climate Activists
February 28, 2020 - March 2, 2020
The 2020 Pacific Life Community (PLC) retreat will offer nuclear resisters the opportunity to network with Washington state-based grassroots climate change activists, explore PLC’s deep roots with the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, and participate in a group action at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor affirming the Community’s desire for a nuclear weapons-free future.
The PLC 2020 gathering — to be held at the Pilgrim Firs retreat facility in Port Orchard, WA (http://pilgrim-firs.org/) Feb. 28-March 2nd —will take place on the heels of the sentencing of the Kings Bay Plowshares 7, which is expected in either late December or early January (see http://www.nukeresister.org/2019/11/02/kings-bay-plowshares-found-guilty-on-all-charges-a-summary-of-the-trial/ and https://kingsbayplowshares7.org/).
This will thus be an especially serious time of reflection and discussion by nuclear activists everywhere on the risks of nonviolent resistance and whether they will continue to dare to “go there” — that is, to take actions that bear the possibility of harsh consequences, including prison time.
A panel of those who attended the Kings Bay Plowshares 7 trial earlier this year will convene to share their witness of the court proceedings and discuss the implications for activists inherent in these developments.
In order to help chart the way forward for nuclear activism while applying the lessons of Gandhian satyagraha (Truth-force) philosophy that helped form the basis of the early Pacific Life/Ground Zero Communities (and which eventually made possible the revival of a Peace Pagoda now being constructed on the GZ grounds!) PLC 2020 will screen the “The Arms Race Within,” a film that explores the foundational beginnings of these enduring communities built by Robert and Janet Aldridge as well as James and Shelley Douglass. PLC organizers anticipate the film will spark meaningful discussion ahead of the planned Monday morning action at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.
The PLC organizing committee is also pleased to announce that Steve Dear of Eugene, Oregon — brother of well known peace activist John Dear and an accomplished peacemaker and climate activist in his own right— will be the keynote speaker at PLC 2020. Steve will discuss the struggle against nuclear weapons, militarism and climate change, as well as important linkages that can strengthen and unite these resistance movements.
To help broaden PLC solidarity networks with fellow Earth Protectors, PLC 2020 will host Abby Brockway (of the ‘Delta 5’ — see https://www.pcusa.org/news/2016/2/8/pcusa-ruling-elder-abby-brockway-continue-battle-a/) and Larry Morrell, executive director of the Sound Defense Alliance on Whidbey Island (https://sounddefensealliance.org/]; These two will form a panel to educate participants on the environmental threats posed by Growler jets and oil trains.
On the lighter side, The Irthlingz Duo of Orcas Island will be providing musical accompaniment to our PLC weekend with their uplifting, inspiring and environmentally-socially aware music. Please see their website at https://www.irthlingz.com/
We have negotiated a sliding scale as follows: $135 for PLC members with poverty-level income; for all others, $222.75 (or if you are a 62+ senior, $206.75) for three nights of accommodation and eight meals starting with dinner on the 28th.
Please also include a separate slip of paper with your name, how many in your party, dietary restrictions/preferences, special mobility issues, phone number & email address. Or email this information to emurray404@aol.com. We will address transportation issues in a future email.
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