On the invitation of the neighborhood and authorities, Greenpeace’s ship the Rainbow Warrior is at present within the Marshall Islands to reaffirm our solidarity with the nation’s ongoing combat for nuclear justice, local weather motion, and self-determination.
The Marshall Islands are an enormous ocean nation — made up of over 1,000 islands and atolls — stretching throughout practically two million sq. kilometers of the Pacific. The Marshallese folks have thrived there for hundreds of years and but, with out their consent, these islands grew to become a nuclear testing floor for the US following World Struggle II.
Between 1946-1958 the US performed 67 nuclear exams within the Marshall Islands, with the most catastrophic being the “Citadel Bravo” take a look at on March 1, 1954. This bomb was 1,000 instances extra highly effective than the Hiroshima bomb, and the radioactive fallout rained down on inhabited areas, together with the Rongelap Atoll. The horrific penalties of the radiation on the folks dwelling there have been speedy, and long-lasting. Including to the trauma, neighborhood members had been unwittingly used as ongoing topics in radiation research.
In 1985, after many years of unsuccessful requests to the US authorities for assist to evacuate their contaminated homelands, the Rongelap folks turned to Greenpeace and we answered with a rainbow.
In a mission dubbed “Operation Exodus” we used the Greenpeace ship, the Rainbow Warrior to evacuate 300 islanders and over 100 tons of constructing supplies to a close-by island, Mejatto. 40 years later, Greenpeace was invited again.
Over the previous month, Rainbow Warrior III has sailed throughout the Marshall Islands, stopping in Majuro, Mejatto, Enewetak, Bikini, Rongelap, and Wotje to find out about and amplify every neighborhood’s expertise of nuclear fallout, pressured displacement, resistance, and hope for a simply future.
Throughout this time, unbiased radiation consultants and Greenpeace scientists have additionally been conducting essential analysis throughout the atolls, offering much-needed information on the remaining nuclear contamination. This unbiased research will assist assist the Marshallese folks of their ongoing authorized battles with the US for recognition, reparations and justice.
As a result of the Marshallese aren’t simply survivors of previous injustices. Whereas they proceed to push for reparations and recognition of the nuclear injustices, they’re additionally leaders in local weather justice and local weather motion. Over the previous 15 years, they’ve established a shark sanctuary to guard important marine life, created an ocean sanctuary to guard essential ecosystems, taken a agency stance towards deep sea mining, they usually’re on the verge of signing the World Oceans Treaty.
Now, greater than ever, we should collectively push again on the governments and industries which might be harming folks and the planet. As a Greenpeace supporter, you’re an integral a part of the pursuit of justice for the Marshallese folks
Please click on right here to be taught extra concerning the folks of the Marshall Islands and what’s been occurring throughout this historic reunion. I hope this story of collective motion, wrestle for justice, and a long-standing relationship stuffed with solidarity and assist fills you with dedication as we face our political struggles at present.
