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Brad Horn/Nevada Appeal Steve Gifford, of Reno, protests in front of the Governor's Mansion on Saturday. The protest, 'No New Mushroom Clouds Over Nevada, or Anywhere,' was organized to call upon Gov. Jim Gibbons and congressional delegation to do more to protect the health and safety of all people downwind of "Divine Strake."
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ENLARGE
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Above, Cynthia Dewey, center, a Reno member of the Paiute tribe, protests in front of the Governor's Mansion on Saturday. The protest, 'No New Mushroom Clouds Over Nevada, or Anywhere,' was organized to call upon Gov. Jim Gibbons and lawmakers o do more to protect the health and safety of all people downwind of "Divine Strake." Dewey has been involved with the Western Shoshone effort to stop nuclear testing for 30 years. The picture of a mushroom cloud was created by one of Laura Smith Fillmore's art students at a Smith Valley school. Right, Steve Gifford flashes a peace sign Brad Horn/Nevada Appeal
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More than two dozen activists marched at the Governor's Mansion on Saturday, hoping to send a message to Gov. Jim Gibbons and Nevada's congressional delegation.
Their message: Don't turn Nevada into a dangerous testing ground.
The No New Mushroom Clouds Over Nevada, or Anywhere! protest, organized by Healing Ourselves and Mother Earth - or HOME - was in response to the proposed test of the "Divine Strake" bomb on the Nevada test site north of Las Vegas. The 700-ton bomb is composed of ammonium ni trate and fuel oil that could be used to develop bunker-busting bombs.
While organizers said the test won't involve a nuclear payload, it could stir up radioactive material in the soil from previous tests.
"It's still an explosion that will lift these particles 5,000 to 10,000 feet into the air and re-suspend plutonium and strontium among elements in the air," said John Hadder, HOME program director.
Their message: Don't turn Nevada into a dangerous testing ground.
The No New Mushroom Clouds Over Nevada, or Anywhere! protest, organized by Healing Ourselves and Mother Earth - or HOME - was in response to the proposed test of the "Divine Strake" bomb on the Nevada test site north of Las Vegas. The 700-ton bomb is composed of ammonium ni trate and fuel oil that could be used to develop bunker-busting bombs.
While organizers said the test won't involve a nuclear payload, it could stir up radioactive material in the soil from previous tests.
"It's still an explosion that will lift these particles 5,000 to 10,000 feet into the air and re-suspend plutonium and strontium among elements in the air," said John Hadder, HOME program director.
The Department of Energy conducted an environmental assessment on the area slated for the proposed explosion in 1996, as well as an updated assessment late last year. Before leaving office, Gov. Kenny Guinn wrote a letter to the Department of Energy asking for a more complete impact study.
The concern expressed at the rally is that the stirred-up particles will be carried on the winds farther than predicted, impacting populated areas and potentially causing severe health problems.
"One-millionth of an ounce embedded in lung tissue has a 99 percent chance of causing cancer. That amount can be carried on a speck of dust," Hadder said.
"It's a numbers game to our government. They are looking for the lowest risk, but if that person is you, it's a huge concern."
Lee Dazey, event organizer and a member of the Western Shoshone Defense Project, told the crowd it was time for our representatives to be heard.
The concern expressed at the rally is that the stirred-up particles will be carried on the winds farther than predicted, impacting populated areas and potentially causing severe health problems.
"One-millionth of an ounce embedded in lung tissue has a 99 percent chance of causing cancer. That amount can be carried on a speck of dust," Hadder said.
"It's a numbers game to our government. They are looking for the lowest risk, but if that person is you, it's a huge concern."
Lee Dazey, event organizer and a member of the Western Shoshone Defense Project, told the crowd it was time for our representatives to be heard.
"We want to know why our new governor and delegation have been so quiet," Dazey said. "Enough is enough."
Peter Fletcher and his wife, Robin, brought their two children down from Reno for the march.
"We are trying to spread peace in the world and what does it say that our government is testing new weapons," Fletcher said.
The protesters gathered at the Legislative building and walked to the Governor's Mansion, where several speakers addressed the crowd. Laura Smith-Fillmore, a Smith Valley art teacher, brought pictures from her students depicting mushroom clouds.
"They are doing this to get us used to the idea that you can be in a swimming pool in Las Vegas and see the mushroom cloud behind you, and that's OK," Smith-Fillmore said.
Peter Fletcher and his wife, Robin, brought their two children down from Reno for the march.
"We are trying to spread peace in the world and what does it say that our government is testing new weapons," Fletcher said.
The protesters gathered at the Legislative building and walked to the Governor's Mansion, where several speakers addressed the crowd. Laura Smith-Fillmore, a Smith Valley art teacher, brought pictures from her students depicting mushroom clouds.
"They are doing this to get us used to the idea that you can be in a swimming pool in Las Vegas and see the mushroom cloud behind you, and that's OK," Smith-Fillmore said.
• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.
At a glance
The Nevada Test Site is a Rhode Island-size testing ground northwest of Las Vegas, where the U.S. conducted the majority of its nuclear weapons tests during the Cold War.
Initially called the Nevada Proving Grounds, the site consisted of 680 square miles, about half its present size. Additional land was added in 1958, 1961, 1964 and 1967.
Since its creation by President Truman in 1951 until testing was suspended in 1992, 928 nuclear tests were conducted on the site, 100 of which were atmospheric and the other 828 underground.
Source: The Shundahai Network, shundahai.org
On the Web
http://renopeace.org/nonewnukes.htm
http://www.h-o-m-e.org
Since its creation by President Truman in 1951 until testing was suspended in 1992, 928 nuclear tests were conducted on the site, 100 of which were atmospheric and the other 828 underground.
Source: The Shundahai Network, shundahai.org
On the Web
http://renopeace.org/nonewnukes.htm
http://www.h-o-m-e.org
