Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action
16159 Clear Creek Road NW Poulsbo, WA 98370
Website: www.gzcenter.org, E-mail: info@gzcenter.org

Mother's Day Action to Abolish Nuclear Weapons -- Trident Submarine Base Bangor

MAY 11, 2006 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lynne Greenwald (360) 377-2465
         Anne Hall (206) 545-3562
         Days of the event, on Sunday and Monday (360) 286-9036

Mother's Day in the United States was first suggested in 1872
by Julia Ward Howe as a day dedicated to peace.  Howe saw the
effects on both sides of the Civil War and realized destruction
from warfare goes beyond the killing of soldiers in battle.

What: Members and supporters of the Ground Zero Center for
Nonviolent Action of Poulsbo, WA will be at the gates of the
Trident nuclear submarine base at Bangor to call for a new
commitment to a peaceful world for all children, where Trident D-
5 missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles will no longer be
required.
                        
When:    Sunday, May 14, 2006, noon, at Ground Zero.
         Vigil at Bangor submarine gate, 1:15 to 2 pm.
         Nonviolence training 3 pm to 9 pm at Kitsap
         Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

         Monday, May 15, 2006, 5 am, circle at Ground Zero.
         6 am, Nonviolent direct action at Bangor main gate.

Where:   Kitsap Unitarian Universalist Fellowship,
         4418 Perry Ave.,Bremerton.

         Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action,
         16159 Clear Creek Road N.W., Poulsbo.
         Nonviolent direct action at Main Gate of Submarine
         Base Bangor, Monday at 5 am.

At this action members of the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action will be mindful of recent threats of military strikes by the U.S. government against the citizens of Iran. The April 17 issue of the New Yorker magazine reported the U.S. government is planning a massive bombing campaign against Iran, including the use of bunker-buster nuclear bombs to destroy a key Iranian suspected nuclear weapons facility.

The Trident submarine base at Bangor is located 20 miles west of Seattle. It is the last active nuclear weapons depot on the West Coast and is the place of deployment for approximately 1,760 nuclear warheads. The base has been recently rebuilt for the deployment of the larger and more accurate Trident D-5 missile system. Each of the 24 D-5 missiles on a Trident submarine is capable of carrying eight of the larger 455 kiloton W-88 warheads (about 30 times the explosive force as the Hiroshima bomb.)

The Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action was founded in 1977. The center is on 3.8 acres and is next to the Trident submarine base at Bangor, Washington. The Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action offers the opportunity to explore the roots of violence and injustice in our world and to experience the transforming power of love through nonviolent direct action. We resist all nuclear weapons, especially the Trident submarine system.

Fact Sheet

In 2005, the Navy transferred two Trident D-5 missile submarines from the submarine base at Kings Bay, Georgia to Bangor, Washington, bringing the total number of nuclear-armed missile submarines at Bangor to nine compared to five on the East Coast. The larger Pacific force, the largest nuclear submarine force in the Pacific since 1979, reflects increased nuclear targeting of Chinese, North Korean and other Middle East and Asian targets.

Four older Trident submarines from the Bangor fleet are being refitted for the deployment of Tomahawk cruise missiles. Each of the older submarines will be able to launch 154 cruise missiles within a six minute period.

In July, 2005 Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy announced a $9.2 million contract to develop a new submarine-launched intermediate-range ballistic missile (SLIRBM). The SLIRBM will be capable of delivering a 1,000 lb. payload 1,200 miles within 15 minutes of launch. A Tomahawk missile takes about 4 hours to cover the same distance.

War throughout history has solved nothing and has ensured that more wars will follow.

Please come to Ground Zero on Mother's Day, for the sake of our children, our soldiers and our nation.

Directions to Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action:

Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action
16159 Clear Creek Road NW Poulsbo, WA 98370
(360) 779-4672 Ground Zero Center (day of the event only)

• From Bremerton Ferry: Ferry unloads onto Washington Ave. (right curve at end of ferry exit). Remain on Washington--get into the left lane as you approach the Manette Bridge turn--stay on Washington--shortly after passing the Manette Bridge, Washington Ave. curves left and becomes 11th St. Remain on 11th to the end, which is Kitsap Way. Right (only way you can turn) on Kitsap Way to Highway 3 entrance north (to the right). Highway 3 to Kitsap Mall exit or Silverdale--at end of exit ramp turn left--this is Clear Creek Rd. Clear Creek Rd. to Ground Zero (16159 Clear Creek Rd. NW).

• From Bainbridge Ferry: Highway 305 to Poulsbo (at 5th Stop light--Bond Rd.). Left on Bond Rd--past Medical Buildings to end--a stop light. Right at light--straight through and up the hill (Finn Hill Rd) over the overpass of Highway 3 to first road to left (Rude Rd). Left on Rude Rd (it only goes to the left) to the end, which is Clear Creek Rd. Left on Clear Creek Rd. to Ground Zero (16159 Clear Creek Rd NW).

• From Kingston Ferry: West on Highway 104 and go straight onto Bond Rd. to Poulsbo; go straight through intersection at Highway 305 to Poulsbo--past Medical Buildings to end--a stop light. Right at light--straight through and up the hill (Finn Hill Rd) over the overpass of Highway 3 to first road to left (Rude Rd). Left on Rude Rd (it only goes to the left) to the end, which is Clear Creek Rd. Left on Clear Creek Rd. to Ground Zero (16159 Clear Creek Rd NW).

Directions to the Main Gate at Naval Submarine Base Bangor:

• From Bremerton Ferry: As above only stay on Highway 3 to the Keyport/Bangor exit (just beyond the Kitsap Mall and Trigger exits). Stay left to Subase Bangor Main Gate and ID office (right goes to Keyport). Parking is available to the right of the guard station.

• From Bainbridge Ferry: Highway 305 from the ferry entrance onto Highway 3 (under overpass). Exit Keyport/Subase Bangor--first exit to the right. This exit leads directly to the Subase Bangor Main Gate and ID office. Parking is available to the right of the guard station.

• From Kingston Ferry: West on Highway 104 and go straight onto Bond Rd to Highway 305. Right onto Highway 3 (under overpass). Exit Keyport/Subase Bangor--first exit to the right. This exit leads directly to the Subase Bangor Main Gate and ID office. Parking is available to the right of the guard station.