The Ban bus in the Rocky Mountains
After fine tuning some technical communications problems in Salt Lake City, Utah, the ban bus headed towards the Rocky Mountains today, October 29. Campaigners took to the roads of Utah and Colorado, spreading the message of the need for a ban and a US presence in Ottawa this December by talking to people in parking lots, restaurants, and spectacles of natural beauty. The bus covered over 300 miles today, stopping only for fuel and to pass the word on about the need for a ban. The most prevalent comment we found in talking to people was surprise that the US was not on board this treaty and not ready to ban this weapon domestically.
Grand Junction, Colorado
The evening found campaigners in Grand Junction, Colorado where we spoke with an intimate group of 20 people at the First Congregational Church, giving an inspiring presentation about the horrors of this indiscriminate weapon. John Rodsted began with graphic photos of mine affected countries and mine survivors. Michael Hands provided a technical presentation on the problem of mines and how to spot the danger of a mined area. Mette Sofie Eliseussen spoke about teaching landmine awareness to children in Afghanistan. Jill Greenberg rounded out the program with the US policy discussion, noting that the Colorado delegation in Congress is only half on board. much work needs to be done in this state! Petter Quande and Dalma Foldes set up an incredible exhibition of black and white photos, landmine awareness posters and sold t-shirts and Cambodian vests.
Members of the Catholic Church greeted us here, with the incredible idea of using the Afghan postcard exhibition, Afghan Children’s Impression of Life In A Minefield (provided by Mette and Save the Children,USA), for a traveling exhibit across all of America’s Catholic Churches. Other Grand Junctioners suggested to use the children’s drawings as part of a program within Sunday Schools to raise awareness of the landmine problem.
Special thanks to the First Congregational Church members and Reverend Rick Riddoch who kindly provided us with a forum to speak, a nice dinner, and comfortable beds to sleep in!
The ban bus heads to the mile high city tomorrow for a day and a half. For more information, contact Andy Hanscom, 303-541-9164.
The Ban Bus is an advocacy initiative. We are now striving to achieve a ban on cluster bombs by the end of 2008. Our immediate mission is to build strong support for the Oslo Process in countries through Europe, conducting a 10 000 km journey from the Balkans to Oslo.