Anniversary Event held in the Marshall Islands
On March 1, 2007, the 53rd anniversary of ‘BRAVO’, the survivors of nuclear fallout gathered under a huge tent outside the Rongelap Atoll office in Majuro to offer words of prayer, to pay tribute to dearly departed members of their families and to petition the United States not to forget its obligations to the people.
On March 1, 2007, the 53rd anniversary of ‘BRAVO’, the survivors of nuclear fallout gathered under a huge tent outside the Rongelap Atoll office in Majuro to offer words of prayer, to pay tribute to dearly departed members of their families and to petition the United States not to forget its obligations to the people.
Fifty-three years ago, the strongest U.S. hydrogen bomb codenamed ‘Bravo’ was detonated on Bikini atoll in the Marshall Islands. Nuclear fallout from ‘Bravo’ contaminated the unsuspecting inhabitants of Rongelap and Utrik atolls – downwind from Bikini. ‘Bravo’ was 1000 times more powerful than the A-bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima.
The survivors organization called ERUB*, had invited Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) as a special guest. He was unable to be with them but sent a letter of solidarity to the survivors stating that these atolls “provide us with tangible evidence as to why we must not allow the continuation of nuclear proliferation.” The Collegium leadership of the United Church of Christ also sent a letter in support of the survivors. Both of these letters were read in English and translated into the Marshallese language.
Special guests of ERUB included two representatives of the United Black Christians (UBC) of the United Church of Christ, USA, ten Japanese high school and college students and a photographer.
During the ceremony a petition on the Changed Circumstances was circulated for signing. The petition is 1) requesting the American people to educate themselves on the injustices that the Marshallese people suffered as result of the 67 atomic and nuclear tests! 2) it is requesting the U.S. Congress to reconsider passing the Changed Circumstances Petition (CCP) that the RMI** government submitted in September 2000! and 3) it is requesting the U.S. Ambassador Clyde Bishop to advise the Administration of the United States of America to change its position on the CCP! This is in response to the Bush Administration’s recommendation to Congress that there is no legal basis under the Changed Circumstance clause of the Compact of Free Association for additional payment to the RMI government. The Changed Circumstances Petition represents “JUSTICE” for the Marshallese people.
Help is needed to convince members of Congress to submit a Bill to pass the provisions of this petition. In a few days, this petition that was circulated at the March 1st anniversary will be distributed widely to gather signatures with instructions.
A ‘Report back Session’ by members who attended the event in Majuro was held in Honolulu on Saturday, March 3rd from 5:00- 8:00 pm. The Harris United Methodist Church Social Concerns Committee, ERUB II, the U.S.-Japan Committee for Racial Justice, and Hawaii – Pacific Islander and Asian American Ministries (H-PAAM) hosted the event.
The United Church of Christ (UCC) provided funding for the two representatives from the United Black Christians. The National UCC Church also sent funds to PAAM in support of its work in seeking justice for the survivors.
*ERUB stands for Enewetak, Rongelap, Utrik and Bikini – the atolls that were directly affected by the U.S. nuclear testing program.
** Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).