Peacemakers work against depleted uranium weapons.

On Saturday, May 19, Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) is sponsoring a conference at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tenn., on issues related to the use of depleted uranium (DU) weapons. The conference titled, "DU--from Appalachia to Afghanistan to Iraq" is part of a CPT campaign including Church of the Brethren members, that has begun work to end the use of depleted uranium weapons.

Originally a violence-reduction initiative of the historic peace churches (Church of the Brethren, Mennonite, and Quaker), CPT now enjoys support and membership from a wide range of Christian denominations.

In two related events, CPT is sponsoring a "DU delegation" May 18-27 that will attend the conference and visit sites related to the production of depleted uranium weapons. A tent camp also will be set up from May 18-27, as a witness across the road from a DU weapons factory, the Aerojet Ordnance plant in Jonesborough, Tenn. CPT said the factory is "one of the primary manufacturers of depleted uranium penetrator cores for the 120 mm Abrams tank shells."

Those organizing the campaign include Cliff Kindy, a Church of the Brethren member and longtime CPT worker. He reported that as of May 4 the delegation numbered 16 people, and will be hosted by Jackson Park Church of the Brethren in Jonesborough.

The DU campaign expresses concern that depleted uranium is causing serious birth defects and cancer in civilian and military populations in the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan, and is affecting families of military here in the US as well as plant workers and surrounding communities. Campaigners emphasize that the United Nations has condemned depleted uranium weapons, and the European Union has banned the use of depleted uranium munitions.

In September 2006, a small group from the "Stop DU Campaign" held a six-day swing through seven states including stops at Beaver Run Church of the Brethren near Burlington, W.Va., and the Jackson Park Church. In November, a 10-day CPT delegation held prayer vigils and meetings with community groups and churches in the areas of the Aerojet Ordnance plant, and the Alliant Tech plant in Rocket Center, W.Va.

The May 19 conference will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in Room 102 of Rogers Stout Hall at East Tennessee State University. Presenters are Doug Rokke, a Pentagon expert on depleted uranium; Cathy Garger, who has written about depleted uranium munitions; and Mohammad Daud Miraki, author of "Afghanistan After Democracy." Sales of Miraki's book support the medical care of DU victims in Afghanistan. Participants also will meet in small groups to grapple with next steps in the nonviolent campaign to stop the production of DU weapons.

CPT is encouraging attendance at the conference and in the delegation, in particular welcoming "the participation of military personnel, especially those who have been in Iraq and Afghanistan, to help delegates strategize next steps."

Cost for the conference is $7 to cover the expense of registration and lunch; mail to First Tennessee Progressives, Anthony Pittman, Secretary, 712 Wilson Ave., Johnson City, TN 37604. To join the delegation, go to cpt.org and check links to delegations and registrations. To participate in the tent camp, contact Pittman at apittman2002@yahoo.com. For more information about the campaign against depleted uranium weapons, visit www.stop-du.org or contact Cliff Kindy at kindy@cpt.org.

Source: 5/09/2007 Newsline