Eleven of us gathered at Bath Iron Works (BIW) at 7:00 yesterday morning on Ash Wednesday to begin the annual Lenten vigils at the shipyard that only builds destroyers for the Navy.
We greeted the executives who were entering the administration building and the rank-and-file workers as they passed us by.
Our message to the workers is two-fold. First, we can't afford war any longer - it is destroying our environment. The Pentagon is the largest contributor of green house gases which causes climate crisis. The massive military budget must be used for urgent human, environmental and infrastructure needs. War is obsolete.
Our second message is conversion. We must convert the shipyard to build commuter rail systems, offshore wind turbines, tidal power systems and other such technologies that help us begin the process of lessening our carbon footprint on Mother Earth. It is a matter of survival for the future generations.
Studies have long revealed that if we made such a transition we'd create more jobs as military spending is 'capital intensive', meaning it burns up funds while creating fewer jobs than if we invested in any other kind of production that would be 'labor intensive'. See one of the recent studies here.
We will return to BIW every Saturday during Lent (until April 11) at 11:30 in front of the administration building on Washington Street in Bath.
During the Lenten season of self-examination and reflection, Christians who observe Lent typically make a commitment to fast, or to give up something. We are calling on the US to give up war, arrogance, domination and the moral superiority that is rotting the soul of our nation.
The time has come to reflect on our evil killing ways around the world, to repent, to take responsibility for our actions and to change our hearts and our ways.
Bruce
~ Photo by Peter Woodruff - the sign I am holding was also made by Peter who worked at BIW for more than 30 years. I carry it in his honor.
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