Public Forum To Discuss Trident
Submarine Presence At Seafair Festivities
Seattle, WA - Seattle City Councilman Richard Conlin announced today
that he is co-sponsoring a public City Council Forum to discuss the appropriateness of
having a Trident submarine at Seafair. Other Councilmembers sponsoring the forum are Nick
Licata, Judy Nicastro, and Peter Steinbrueck.
When: Monday, July 31, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: City Council Chambers, 600 - 4th Avenue, 11th Floor
Sponsoring Councilmembers are responding to a request from the
Northwest Disarmament Coalition - a group comprised of 16 local peace and justice and
church groups - for a public dialogue on the Trident nuclear submarines and whether it is
appropriate that they be included in a community celebration such as Seafair.
Representatives from the US Navy, Seafair, and the Northwest
Disarmament Coalition have been invited to participate in a panel, which will be moderated
by a neutral facilitator. There will be opportunity for public comment.
"Seattle has a long history of welcoming sailors to the city
during Seafair," said Councilmember Conlin, "but there is considerable concern
in our community about bringing a nuclear weapons ship into Seattle for our
family-oriented Seafair celebration. I think the time has come to give citizens a chance
to discuss this issue. In order for Seafair to be a truly inclusive community event, we
need to hear the full range of opinions."
"We cannot and will not celebrate nuclear weapons," said
Martin Fleck, Facilitator of the Northwest Disarmament Coalition. "Rather than sweep
the nuclear weapons issue under the carpet, we advocate a frank and open discussion about
this submarine and the significance of the weapons it carries. Hats off to Councilmembers
Conlin, Licata, Nicastro and Steinbrueck for providing the citizens of Seattle with an
opportunity to express our concerns about Trident."
The Bangor-based Trident submarine USS Alabama is scheduled to visit
Seattle during Seafair, from August 2 to August 5. The Alabama's armament includes 192
nuclear weapons on 24 Trident C-4 fleet ballistic missiles. When another Trident submarine
- the USS Ohio - visited Seattle in August, 1997 for Seafair, it was met with protests.
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Seattle City Council
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