Page 22 RAIN Jan./Feb. 1984 responsibility will not be advanced by the federal government or by executive fiat. Communities must assert their rights to control their living space and then join with each other to form the foundations of a viably self- reliant bioregion. By establishing a free zone, a symbolic and practical blow is struck at the nuclear culture, and community self-control is advanced. It is this dual potential that marks the nuclear free zone as a unique and invaluable tool. Our experience in Ashland has shown that dealing with the long range goal of developing NFZs can engage the energy of local people in a powerfully focused way. Some people have expressed the fear that an NFZ campaign might siphon energy away from the immediate goal of stopping the building and deployment of nuclear weapons, but we found in Ashland that NFZ involvement can actually serve to awaken people to the need for dealing with the more abstract and overwhelming international issues. With the passage of Ashland's ordinance came the realization that we could build on our existing base. We began to engage a wider cross-section of the populace in developing a more potent and active peace community. Peace House, a center for peace and activism, emerged, and educational events have been sponsored for local citizens who wish to take part in actively creating a more just and sane society. This has led to further cooperation with church and community organizations in developing the agenda for a society with peaceful priorities. Some specifics include: working with churches in addressing world hunger; confronting current governmental posturing in Central America; discussing with the American Association of University Women the prominent role that women must take in creating a more harmonious society; and developing peace programs that can be integrated into the public schools. Perhaps most important, though, has been Ashland's developing role as a regional peace center as a result of the NFZ vote. In the past year, we have developed strong ties with a flourishing affinity group in Grants Pass. This has occurred as a result of efforts focused on converting the Litton plant, which manufactures guidance systems for cruise missiles in Grants Pass, to nonnuclear production. In June 1983, there was a 50-mile walk from Ashland to Grants Pass. This was mostly at the initiative of Ashland and Peace House. Last October we joined Grants Pass citizens in a very successful Fall Peace Festival—a three day celebration of arts, education, and action. Both the walk and the Festival culminated in demonstrations and civil disobedience at the Litton Plant. With the most recent action, we decided that we would no longer term it "civil disobedience," but rather enforcement of the Nuremberg Directives against creating weapons of mass destruction. Our first action was to make a citizens' arrest of the Litton plant manager and put Litton on trial for violation of international law. Since the legal system has not cooperated with this effort, we intend to plead not guilty to the trespassing charges filed against those who made the citizens' arrest. This litigation will keep the issue very much alive in the Grants Pass area. Klamath Falls, another nearby city, has also initiated a peace community. In the past few months a signature collecting drive has been launched in Klamath County to put a county-wide NFZ ordinance on the May 1984 Our economy is currently addicted to defense contracts. . .. When a community realizes that its long-range vitality is undermined by this addiction, the result can be a strong sense of community empowerment. primary ballot. It is extremely encouraging to see this vitality as well as the activities in Grants Pass and Ashland. While it would be inappropriate to give Ashland's free zone ordinance too much credit in these developments, it is clear that the same desire and forces that came to fruition in Ashland have inspired neighboring communities to work toward a nuclear free bioregion. □ □ Shortly before we went to press, we learned that Madison, Wisconsin, had voted to become a nuclear free zone. Madison is now the largest nuclear free zone in the United States.
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