Activists
from the Fremantle Anti-Nuclear Group (FANG)
and People for Nuclear
Disarmament (PND) have been kept busy with an unexplained rash
of nuclear submarine visits. First we were treated with the arrival
of the FNS Perle, a French nuclear-powered
attack submarine. Owing to some nifty detective work, we had a fair
bit of warning and time to plan a series of demonstrations.
Our investigations had also uncovered the updated Emergency Management
Plan, which in the event of a minor nuclear accident would involve
police officers suffering high radiation doses while delivering potassium
iodide tablets to residents and potentially co-ordinating the evacuation
of tens of thousands of people. No plans exist for a moderate or severe
accident.
So on March 5, a menacing yellow paper-mache submarine was guillotined
by a suspiciously masculine Marie Antoinette within sight of the Stirling
naval base. The nightly news beamed the off-beat protest to several
hundred thousand people, and the next day our phones rang hot with
media asking us what our next move would be.
On the day Perle was due to dock for a crew change, we were out in
force. To the bemusement of local residents and the delight of the
media, two small boats loaded with crew and bedecked with Judy Blyth's
beautiful flags sped across Cockburn Sound to conduct a citizens inspection
of the submarine base. The Captain of the Perle had chosen to stay
at sea rather than face the wrath of eight hippies in tin dinghies,
and Cockburn Sound was declared nuclear free for another day.
The Peace Fleet was reborn!
On March 23, activists again sailed into restricted waters, this time
into the path of the Perle, with water police in pursuit. The police
offered to deliver our letter requesting Perle be returned to France
and dismantled, and arrests were avoided. The action again achieved
good media coverage.
This had built enough momentum for a well-attended Sod-Off
Subs rally in Fremantle. A range of speakers were invited including
Dr Carmen Lawrence, Greens (WA) MLC Giz Watson and reps from Greenpeace,
FANG and the Fremantle City Council.
Before we could catch a breath, it was discovered that a US battlegroup
including the nuclear submarine USS
Columbia was heading for our shores. The naval group was en-route
to the Persian Gulf to help enforce the criminal blockade of Iraq.
FANG/PND called a snap action which again made headlines. We had planned
to blockade the sub as it tried to enter Cockburn Sound but found
that it had already docked. Our two small boats went out anyway and
managed to penetrate naval waters and to come within a few metres
of the sub, which was docked at Garden Island. We caught everyone
by surprise and our arrival was met with hysterical demands from a
low ranking US sailor that we go away.
We spent about 10 minutes in the area before being chased out by an
Australian navy vessel. The officer aboard the Australian vessel offered
to deliver our letter of protest, which we expect will have a decisive
impact on US foreign policy.
If not, we will be needing the Peace Fleet again: ring us on 9335
9383 or email freofreelance@hotmail.com
to join in next time we go to sea.
