Subject: VFP109: Action at the Ports
From: Wes Hamilton
Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2007 11:36:12 -0800


I know this is not the proper forum for this type of message.  I apologize in 
advance for offending anyone's sensibilities, but I need to get the word out.  
There is need at the Port of Olympia for a strong veterans presence.  Especially 
today and tomorrow, being Veterans Day.  We need your help.
 
I suspect most of you have seen or heard about the actions being taken at the 
port.  The goal of the action is to send a message that the ports belong to the 
people and we don't want our port used to sustain illegal US military operations 
around the world.  By working to keep the military equipment recently off-loaded 
at the port, we are stopping the revolving-door cycle of support for the war and 
occupation that Olympia has become a part of.  This is material returning from 
Iraq; we are not denying troops in harms way access to equipment or supplies.  
However, we are denying the Army's effort to re-fit and repair this lethal equipment 
to be re-cycled back in to the killing theater.  We are also deeply concerned about 
the presence of Depleted Uranium, and the possible exposure of that seriously toxic 
material to the soldiers, port workers, and citizens of our own community as the 
equipment is staged and transported along our streets.
 
Whether or not you agree with the tactics used by some of those involved in this 
action, I want to assure you it is a non-violent action.  There has been absolutely 
no violence against the police.  That point was even noted by Commander Bjorstad on 
the TV news.  And, the brief instance where a small group of people blocked a street 
with trash cans and other items was soundly condemned by the larger group during a 
meeting that followed the days events.  The actions taken by the police, using 
pepper-spray, pepper bullets, and clubbing have not been provoked by anything other 
than people legally expressing their rights to dissent.  Although the police did use 
some restraint initially, it was apparently only due to the lack of personnel to do 
anything else.  Now, instead of the issue being public safety and the protection of 
individual rights, it appears their focus is on the protection of the lethal/toxic 
property we are trying to quarantine.  I urge you to decide which you think represents 
a position most consistent with your principles.
 
I am proud of these young people.  They are my heroes.  I saw them sit down in front 
of a huge semi-truck loaded with a damaged Stryker.  I saw the driver attempting to 
use his truck like a bulldozer to force them out of the way, and the courageous stand 
they took to hold their ground.  It reminded me of the defiance of soulless inhumanity 
I saw Rachel Corrie stand for.  I saw them stand in place taking the full brunt of 
pepper-spray in the face and remain tall in the onslaught of chemical weapons, despite 
their obvious suffering.  I saw things in them I wish I had the courage to demonstrate.  
They are doing for us all the things we say we stand for.  We can learn from them, and 
they can learn from us.  We need to stand together.
 
I urge everyone to go down to the port to support this action, be an active part of this 
action, or simply bear witness.  What we do here in this small community has the power 
to resonate around the world. 
 
In peace,
 
Wes Hamilton