Destroyer 'christening' protest July 29 at BIW

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more info: Lisa Savage

Phone: 207-399-7623

Email: lsavage3@gmail.com

Twitter: @naturalguard

 

Activists force BIW to conduct stealth celebration of nuclear-capable war ship July 29

Protesters will gather at General Dynamics’ Bath Iron Works shipyard on Saturday July 29 at 9:30am to protest the christening of the Harvey C. Barnum Jr. DDG-124, an Aegis Guided Missile Destroyer capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Organizers have reason to believe that President Joe Biden may be present for the christening ceremony. Maine's congressional delegation generally attends, and the President has announced a visit to Maine on the previous day, Friday, July 28.

In the past, christenings were events open to the public with extensive advance publicity, however, the steady presence of protesters outside such events has forced BIW to limit publicity and to exclude the general public from ceremonies. In 2018 nine protesters who stood at the gates with signs were acquitted of criminal trespass charges after Justice Dan Billings of Sagadahoc County Superior Court ruled that their rights to political speech were protected under the 1st Amendment.

On Saturday protesters will gather across from the Post Office on Washington Street in Bath holding signs calling for an end to building weapons and an urgent need for conversion of the facility from military production. It is unknown if there are plans to risk arrest.

 

Organizer George Ostensen of Smilin’ Trees Disarmament Farm issued the following statement: 

“General Dynamics continues to build these warships that launch a variety of weapons [such as] Nuclear capable [Tomahawk cruise missiles]. At a cost of billions of dollars, these warships are a theft from the poor and from our children's future. We must find a way to bring about the conversion of Bath Iron Works to peaceful purposes so BIW can build something that promotes life. [For example commuter rail systems, tidal power systems and offshore wind turbines.]

Our permanent war economy is not only a crime against humanity but it is also terribly addictive. It is killing us spiritually and ecologically. We must move towards disarmament both nuclear and conventional. Disarmament is the way to put our resources to benefit society instead of endless war. 

Our security comes from our ability to love our sisters and brothers around the world and to share the Earth's resources fairly.”

Ostensen is available for comment and may be reached at (207) 763-4062.