MISTNBC Report Summation of 2000 through 2011

Posted on Jan 28, 2012 by Kimberly2300

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Sum of MISTNBC over last 11 years, by Kim Joy Bergier, as of 1-28-'12 (See 4 pictures under Resources-Search Site under "Nuclear Issues")

My assertion that October 16 & 17, 2011 were the last 2 MISTNBC Gatherings I will organize and my “resignation” as “co-coordinator” of MISTNBC is NOT because I think or feel that this campaign should stop, or that I’m quitting 100%. It’s just that I can’t afford to treat this as a part time job using work hours for jobs that pay. I need to continue turning over the responsibilities of co-coordinating MISTNBC to others, so I hope each of you who are really interested will decide what you can do to help this important campaign continue.

I hope to be able to continue as a volunteer consultant or trainer, for whoever is willing to take over the tasks and responsibilities, but I need to limit my time to non-working hours, such as evenings and Saturday afternoons. It helps if you put what you are able and willing to do in writing to help us and to firm up your commitment. If you take on a responsibility this means that if you cannot do it that you find someone else who is able and willing. The primary role that MISTNBC is responsible for is to coordinate car pools to OREPA’s Actions (like their Spring Action, 4-21-12) or events in TN, like around Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemorations.

Where I’ll be next year, time-wise, depends a lot on what kind of work I can find and where Roman and I will be living. For now I need more time to explore all of our options, get re-organized, deal with thousands of e-mails (mostly by getting off as many lists as I can) and deal with fixing up our house. Especially as I worked a 14 hour day Nov. 8th, as Election Inspector, I’m aware that this coming year will be crucial for all of us to keep up with the elections and other issues (like Occupy movement & Movable Peace) during such a turbulent time.

Like plants going into dormancy through the winter I feel it’s time to have some quiet time, a chance to reconnect with family and friends and listen to what will emerge in the spring. I can tell we all could use a break, for it has been an especially busy time these last two years. It feels to me like the end of a chapter, or the end of a trip, where there are overwhelming numbers of pictures, video tapes and memories to reflect on.

It has been a whirlwind as in 2010, besides all the events around the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review (including joining the bus to NYC May 2nd); U.S. Social Forum in Detroit (June 22 to 26); OREPA’s August events (Aug. 6 to 9); there were the peak set of events around “Resistance for a Nuclear Free Future” (July 2-5) with all the follow-up this year with the Federal Trial (May 9-11), 13 Prisoners of Conscience in jail, their Sentencings, etc. Though I’ve written grants, and appreciate every dollar donated to MISTNBC to have covered expenses, there has not been enough money coming in to fully justify the amount of time I’ve put in.

I expect to continue being “Michigan Liaison for Stop The Bombs Campaign” as I know more people in TN than anyone else in MI does. I stay in close contact with my sister, Carol Green,(who is now Vice-President of OREPA's Board) and feel many with OREPA are like my extended family. I also expect to continue being Administrator for MISTNBC on this Michigan Peace Network’s (MPN) web site.

Motoko is committed to car-pooling to OREPA’s Hiroshima & Nagasaki events. My inclination is to help those who are interested but not expand the campaign beyond what happens naturally. Enough people know now how to find the information needed on OREPA’s excellent web site to get involved at the level they are interested in. See www.orepa.org

Sometimes life hands us challenges that stretch us. As Jackie Hudson inspired so many to “go beyond your comfort zone” I challenge you again & now. OREPA’s Spring Action (on 4-21-12) may evoke in you the same spirit of love, life and hope as it does me. If so, grab it for it’ll give your life meaning with a loving & supportive community. Isn’t that what life is about? Helping to save humanity?

I hope everyone will see that this campaign really transcends each of us, as it serves the larger, long-term goal of doing what we can to help preserve all life on our planet by abolishing all nuclear weapons!

This is such a huge and often evasive goal that it has helped to narrow it down to stopping the plans for the 3 new U.S. nuclear weapons plants. Within that goal it’s even more likely we’ll achieve some success if we continue to focus on stopping the Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) at Y12, especially because of the excellent and supportive leadership of OREPA’s coordinator, Ralph Hutchison, their Board and committed volunteers.

Though the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Record of Decision (ROD) is going ahead with plans for the 3 new plants (in Oak Ridge, Los Alamos & Kansas City), they are vulnerable because they are SO EXPENSIVE, with rising costs, (especially during this time of budget cuts), plus OREPA plans litigation.

Though I have felt the ROD to build the 3 new nuclear bomb plants, released on 7-20-11, threw me off my heels legislatively, I have become re-motivated by the inspired statements made by those of Y12’s 13 who have, faced draconian treatment by the U.S. Federal system of “justice”.

Plus I’m inspired by the 978 signatures, with many well written comments, on the MPN’s petition to free the Y12’s Prisoners of Conscience. When you have the time I encourage you to check out these comments which were in response to Anabel Dwyer’s open letter to Judge Guyton, which was posted to MPN (under Campaigns then Petitions). This gives me renewed hope that enough people from around the U.S. have been awakened to carry on the multifaceted campaign to Stop The Bombs! See: http://michiganpeacenetwork.org/petitions/Immediate-and-Unconditional-Release-of-Y12-Resisters

What is also posted there under Resources is the important NY Times article: “The Bloated Nuclear Weapons Budget” (including recommendation for canceling the UPF at Y12 to save $6 Billion.)

I have uploaded 5 YouTube videos on MPN already:
1) “Inspirations from Hiroshima” our family’s many connections to Hiroshima:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0WsmAZPRNs
2) “Reality of the size of nuclear weapons” a part of Ralph Hutchison’s workshop at the U.S. Social Forum on 6-24-2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGyk64yMbbI
3) “Y-12 Resistance” about July 5th 2010 arrests at the end of “Resistance for a Nuclear Free Future”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTfVKAR5D7A
4) “3 New U.S. Nuke Plants”, some of Ralph Hutchison’s talk on 9-25-2010
http://youtu.be/Zthx91matio
5) Video of Jean Gump
http://michiganpeacenetwork.org/resources/?category=2&topic=36&show=all

When did MISTNBC start?
When I ask myself this question it became a lesson for me to learn how 1 person can make a difference, with enough determination, focus and persistence. I’m guessing that 98% of people in MI who know about Y-12 are either directly or indirectly as a result of my talking about it, e-mailing or uploading what I’ve been able to, onto MPN & YouTube.
• Was it on August 6, 1945 when the U.S. bombed Hiroshima with the world’s first use of an atomic weapon?
• Was it in June 1963 when 5 of us in my family visited Rev. Tanimoto and his family in Hiroshima? This certainly was when I “got” that nuclear weapons must NEVER ever be used again!
• Was it in February 1982, at the “Meeting of the Ways” Conference, at Stanford University, when I committed myself to taking responsibility for doing the most I could to prevent the development of and use of nuclear weapons?
• Was it in October 1999 when I found the MI peace movement, through Womens’ Action for New Directions (WAND) by seeing an article, on line, about protests outside of Senator Spence Abraham’s office because he wouldn’t sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)? This is when I met Jean Prokopow, who helped me get hired by WAND MI for 5.5 years.
• Was it when I received the OREPA brochure from my sister, Carol, “FYI: I just joined OREPA’s Board and thought you’d be interested”? When I read that Y12 was the last fully operational nuclear weapons production facility I was shocked, for I thought U.S. had stopped building nuclear weapons after the Cold War.
• Was it on 8-6-2000 when I drove to TN for my 1st OREPA Action and bought their “Stop The Bombs” video?
• Was it on 3-11-2001 when I showed OREPA’s “Stop The Bombs” video to the Global Renaissance Alliance (GRA) at Church of Today (COT) and Bonnie Hixson’s immediate reaction was “Okay, so when do we go?”
• Was it when Bonnie & Russ Hixson, plus Lynn Hartung, joined me to 4-8-2001 April Action then helped spread the word?
• Was it on 11-27-2002 when I had a job interview with Bishop Tom Gumbleton (BTG), (which was like a meeting for it included Rita Mary Olszewski and Kim Redigan)? Then he hired me part time, as needed, to set up Michigan Stop The Bombs Campaign. We wanted to remind everyone that U.S. had not stopped building its nuclear weapons after the Cold War.
• Was it on 2-14-2003 when BTG introduced me to Pax Christi Michigan’s meeting at Bill & Mary Carry’s?
• Was it when we created the name “Michigan Stop The Bombs Campaign” as I wrote the 1st grant to Cranbrook Peace Foundation (CPF) in 2003?
• Was it when Dan Lombardo set up a website for MISTBC?
• Or was it when Motoko became committed and suggested adding “Nuclear” to our name?

Some peak experiences over the last 11 years: (*=in pictures under Resources)

• Each of OREPA Actions and events has been unique and memorable with different themes and a growing sense of the “beloved community” envisioned by Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK).
• The largest turn out was Hiroshima’s 60th Anniversary, 8-6-2005, when we had 110 from MI and there were around 1,500 people at the Rally, March and Action. This was also the longest day for it was after the Remembrance Ceremony early in the morning and ended with OREPA’s Japanese Lantern Ceremony in the evening – in Oak Ridge.)
• *On 8-10-2003 with Kim Redigan’s radiant smile, as she locked the gates to Y12 National Security Complex for 15 minutes!
• On 8-6-2001 when 15 activists from Pax Christi USA started to put up saw horses to block the thousands of workers going into the plant on an early Monday morning. *Bishop Tom Gumbleton (BTG) ended up in shackles for a couple of hours and everyone faced $1,000 fines until a lawyer (who knew who BTG) helped convince the Judge to drop the fines!
• A sense of accomplishment in being a part of the national movements to STOP the funding of the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (RNEP), “mini-nukes” and Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW). Even though dealing with a budget subcommittee process is not as exciting as an Action it’s where we’ve really helped make a difference.
• *3-10-2002 when I ended up representing Michigan’s peace movement by leading the contingent (with 4 leaders in the national peace movement) to Senator Carl Levin’s office in D.C. during “D.C. Disarmament Days”.
• *Becoming closer to my sister, Carol Green, over these 11 years (as she’s 8 years older- which felt like a different generation when we were younger). She has recently rejoined OREPA’s Board and I’m forever grateful for ALL she has done, especially in hosting me with a guest or two, once or twice a year.
• *My oldest brother, Jim Rugh, not only attended several of OREPA’s Actions (which is amazing considering he travels around the world evaluating non-profit organizations) but when he said he was proud of me I realized how personally fulfilling this campaign has become.
• A peak set of events around Resistance for a Nuclear Free Future, July 2-5, 2010. I felt it was a unique moment in History to be with some of the top anti-nuclear activists ever, culminating in the Actions on July 5th, when 23 were arrested on State charges of blocking a roadway and 13 were arrested for trespassing. There has been much publicity around the May 9-11th trial, imprisonment and sentencings, which is still in process. Indeed David Corcoran faces his Sentencing March 21st .

Individuals to thank:
I feel gratitude for the richness of so many wonderful and meaningful experiences with so many committed, talented and loving people. I feel such sincere appreciation for absolutely everyone and everything that has been done over the last 11 years! Though I did most of the administrative work (treating it as a part time job) I couldn’t have built this campaign without everyone’s help. It would take me a long time to list everyone and I’m afraid to miss someone out, you know who you are and what you did.

However I do want to give special thanks to:
1) Bishop Tom Gumbleton for his “call to action” at the Pax Christi National Conference, held in Detroit, summer 2002, then hiring me, part time, for 3.5 years, to set up this campaign, for without that it would not have grown like it did. Though 312 individuals went in vehicles from MI to OREPA Actions, as several people made several trips that total is 569 known trips.
2) Roman Bergier, my husband, who drove a van or mini-bus for 3 years, fronted all the money & invested in our computers, office equipment and camcorder.
3) Sigrid & Ron Dale for helping co-coordinate the buses to OREPA’s August Actions for 6 years, which really helped grow this campaign, plus getting arrested at Y12 (Sigrid twice and Ron 3 times!)
4) Motoko Huthwaite and Dan Lombardo for taking on some co-coordinating responsibilities and being willing to help continue this campaign, with Motoko hosting many of our Steering Committee (SC) meetings & being willing to car-pool to Aug. events.
5) Judith Thompson & Judy Markle for helping out in a variety of ways, especially setting up MISTNBC’s bank account & being willing to be Treasurers.
6) Carolyn Doherty for having hosted most of our SC meetings.
7) Vic Macks for helping Sigrid with legislative actions, especially traveling to D.C. to represent MISTNBC to lobby Sen. Carl Levin’s office, for 2 Alliance for Nuclear Accountability (ANA) Conferences.
8) John LaForge for offering to come here to speak Oct. 17th

Organizations to thank (I feel very fortunate to be able to thank whole organizations!):

• Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance (OREPA): Of course, nothing could have happened for MISTNBC if it had not been for the excellent leadership and loving community of OREPA. Much gratitude goes to Ralph Hutchison, my sister, Carol Green, Lissa McLeod & Jake Weinstein, Erik & Libby Johnson, Denise & Utsumi, Marcus & Glenda Keyes, Kevin & Cindy Collins, and the list could take me all night. This beloved community has welcomed us with open arms, sheltered and fed us, entertained and challenged us beyond expectation.
• Peace Action of MI for having helped coordinate the buses to TN plus the bus to NYC for non-proliferation treaty renewal rally, on 5-2-2010; for having been our fiduciary for several years and now co-sponsoring these 2 events.
• Pax Christi MI for being willing to be a co-sponsor of today’s event and allowing us to have a table at several of their annual conferences & letting me do a workshop at one of their state-wide conferences.
• Michigan Peace Team for having hosted the MISTNBC Gathering on 7-10-11, when we were able to meet with Jean & Joe Gump, (plus others throughout the state). And for doing a Non-Violence Training at Fort St. Presby. Church, 7-21-07.
• Detroit Area Peace with Justice Network for having shared fliers, helped with the buses to TN and continuing the overwhelming tasks in keeping some of the MI peace groups connected.
• Michigan Peace Network, especially Rosalie Riegle, for posting MISTNBC Actions, pictures, videos and calendar events.
****************************************************************************
Remembering with honor those who have passed on
(that I have record of): (This indicates we have an aging population!)
12 who have attended OREPA’s Actions (in alpha order by last name):
Don Affeldt, Nebeil Al-Oboudi, Georgeen d’Hallecourt, Marie Fehribach, Al Fishman, Mo Geary, Jim Grimm, Rusty Hixson, Jackie Hudson, Rita Mary Olszewski, Sherman O’Neil and Gerry Sellman.
4 who did not attend OREPA’s Actions (but are on MISTNBC’s database of almost 1000 names):
Luella Bassett, Bob Fehribach, Gene Perrin, Sam Ray and Julie Weber.

APPEAL:
MISTNBC could not have grown to 312 individuals from MI who have attended OREPA Actions without funding from BTG, the Archdiocese of Detroit for the 1st 3.5 years, CPF grants, Buck Dinner Grants and many donors. Of course, you are strongly encouraged to be added to this list by donating to MISTNBC to cover expenses. Our goal is $500 so there can be some money in the bank for expenses around planning the carpooling for OREPA’s April Action then OREPA’s events around Hiroshima & Nagasaki.

Any donations need to be made out to "MISTNBC" or "Michigan Stop The Nuclear Bombs Campaign" and mailed to: Judith Thompson, 8900 E. Jefferson Ave., # 412, Detroit, MI 48214

THANK you! Kim Joy Bergier, co-founder & co-coordinator of MISTNBC