[CPEO-MEF] DU Week of Actions

[duorganizer@miltoxproj.org]

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:
January 10, 2001

For More Information:
Tara Thornton, National Organizer
Military Toxics Project
(207) 783-5091

Citizens Around the World Rally in Protest Against the Use of Depleted 
Uranium (DU) Weapons

During the week of January 15-19, activists and organizations from 
communities in the United States will participate in a variety of events 
aimed at protesting the production, testing, use and disposal of DU 
weaponry.  This International Week of Actions was organized and facilitated 
by the Maine-based national environmental organization, the Military Toxics 
Project.  (A list of some of the events and contacts are attached.)

Since 1991, the Military Toxics Project (MTP) has been researching and 
releasing information about the dangers of depleted uranium.  That same 
year, in a March   Los Alamos National Laboratory Memorandum, Lt. Col. M.V. 
Ziehnm stated, "There has been and continues to be a concern regarding the 
impact of DU on the environment.  Therefore, if no one makes a case for the 
effectiveness of DU on the battlefield, DU rounds may become politically 
unacceptable and thus, be deleted from the arsenal?I believe we should keep 
this sensitive issue at mind when after action reports are written."
--more--
The U.S. Department of Defense estimates approximately 315 tons of DU was 
fired in the Gulf War in 1991.  Such firing resulted in the release of 
large amounts of uranium dust, which contaminated tanks, vehicles and land. 
 Depleted uranium dust can be transported by wind or water, and can enter 
the body via wound contamination, injection (such as fragments), 
inhalation, or ingestion.

Among the short and long term effects of inhaled or ingested DU particles 
are kidney and liver problems, immune system dysfunction, reproductive 
problems, birth defects, and cancer.

Tara Thornton, national DU organizer for the Military Toxics Project 
maintains, "DU is not just a problem overseas and for U.S. and allied 
troops.  DU is a huge problem here at home.  Indigenous communities at the 
beginning of the life cycle of DU (mining) to workers at production 
facilities to communities that host facilities involved in testing all feel 
the effects of DU."

MTP has maintained for almost a decade that DU an environmental health 
threat whose costs of human health and cleanup are incalculable.

The Military Toxics Project's web site at www.miltoxproj.org 
<http://www.miltoxproj.org> has been an important source of information on 
the issue of DU.  In addition, MTP has provided information over the past 
few years to the United Nations; government officials in the U.S., Puerto 
Rico, Japan, Italy; the World Health Organization; the International Red 
Cross; groups in more than two dozen countries, and at the International 
Hague Appeal for Peace Conference held in 1999.  In 1998, the Military 
Toxics Project initiated a pilot health study, which indicated that seven 
years after the Gulf War, veterans tested positive for levels of DU in 
urine.  Three years ago, MTP set up and continues to facilitate an Internet 
DU listserv in which 192 representatives from 26 countries participate in 
discussions and information sharing to support MTP's international call for 
a BAN on the use of depleted uranium weapons.

MTP is a national, grassroots environmental justice organization formed in 
1989 to hold the military accountable for adverse impacts to the 
environment, health, and cultures.

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International Week of Actions to Ban DU
Jan 15th-Jan 21, 2001


Some Activities around the United States include:


New Haven, CT		Don't Waste Connecticut			Mitzi Bowman 											(203) 
389-2067
Martin Luther King Day activities, National Guard Action and working on 
passage of a Ban DU resolution to go before  Board of Alders


Colorado Springs, CO		Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission	Tom Benevento 
				42 hour Candle Light Vigil, Jan 16-18, 2001	(719) 635-4364				
		
San Luis Obispo, CA		Panel discussion Jan. 17, 2001			Sheila Baker
										(805) 756-4754					
Tucson, AZ			Ban Depleted Uranium				Jack Cohen-Joppa
				Candle light vigil, Jan. 18, 2001			(520) 323-8697

Concord, MA	Grassroots Action for Peace			Judy Scotnicki Demonstration, 
Jan. 15, 2001			(978) 369-7146


Nevada Test Site, NV		Alliance for Atomic Veterans			Anthony Guarisco 
				Teach-in and Rally, Jan 26th-28th, 2001		(520) 768-6623


Shalimar, FL			Patriots for Peace				Christina Larson
Letter writing campaign				(850) 651-0392

		
Elizabeth, NJ			NJ Hiroshima Day Remembrance Committee,	Sylvia Zisman 
					Meeting at St. John's Church,Jan. 16, 2001	(973) 376-5629

Washington, DC	End the Sanction Committee			Bruce Cooley 	
		Teach In and Rally, Jan. 18, 2001	(202) 777-2643 ext. 5086


Merrimac, Wisconsin		Citizens for Safe Water around Badger		Laura Olah
					Penning for Peace, January 15, 2001		(608) 643-3124
					
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