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Dispatches from the Front

Vandenberg Protest to Focus on Alternative Energy
by Peter Cohen
October 5, 2003

Coalition Insists that Windmills Outrank Missiles

   The Vandenberg Action Coalition in cooperation with the Global Network Against Weapons in Space is preparing to demonstrate at the Vandenberg Gate on Saturday, October 11th, at 2:00 pm. This is the first demonstration to demand the conversion of Vandenberg to a center for the improvement and use of sustainable energy technologies.

   October 4-11 is Keep Space for Peace Week: International Days of Protest to Stop the Militarization of Space. Vandenberg is not only the main test site for the Missile Defense System, it is a major center for directing weapons to their targets around the world and has the announced goal of the complete domination of space.

   Many billions of taxpayer dollars have not produced a workable system. In fact, all of the proposed systems are behind schedule and and in trouble. Yet the Bush administration has requested over $9 billion for FY'04 to start building this unproved system.

   China, Russia and other nations feel threatened by the Missile Defense System, which could start a new and wasteful arms race. At the same time, the launching of sattelites and the testing of missiles has resulted in the perchlorate pollution of Vandenberg and surrounding areas. This chemical in drinking water or on vegetables can cause birth defects and developmental problems in children. Senator Barbara Boxer has introduced legislation to require the EPA to set a safe standard for this contamination at an early date.

WHY WE DEMONSTRATE

   We reject the use of our tax dollars for this unproved and destabilizing system at a time when the world is suffering from hunger, disease, ignorance and global warming.. Global warming increases killer heat waves, melts polar ice, which causes the sea to flood lowlands, and threatens food crops with reduced yields.

   Japan is the world's leading producer of solar panels. Denmark is leading the world in wind enery production. The United States leads the world in spending for death and destruction. We Must Change our Priorities.

   We demand the conversion of a large part of Vandenberg AFB to a reasearch center for the improvement of alternative energies and the creation of a wind farm to free this area from dependence on foreign oil.

   We demonstrate to increase public awareness of how our tax money is being wasted when other problems pose a greater threat to our nation, humanity and to the world in which our children must live. WE MUST CHANGE OUR PRIORITIES

For more information:

Peter Cohen, coordinator, (805) 884-0704 Global Network Against Weapons in Space www.space4peace.org

Vandenberg Action Coalition, Bud Boothe (805) 688-2520

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