Ban Bus takes over Minneapolis-St.Paul
The ban bus arrived in Minneapolis late Monday night to begin a day and a half of events in the Twin Cities. The day started with a presentation at the Blake School to a small group of teenage students. The rest of the ban campaigners spoke at Hamline University to a group of 100 students. Hamline’s Amnesty International Chapter set up a table and were helpful in promoting the arrival of the ban bus. Michael Hands did a demining demonstration outside the hall, with many students in attendance as well as the Minneapolis-Star Tribune. The ban bussers also spoke to groups at Ramsey Junior High School (over 200 students), St. Bernard’s Grade School, and St. Joan of Arc Church. The students at St. Bernard’s are involved in a group that has chosen landmines and the ban for a special project to be involved in for a year. Jill Greenberg and Michael Hands did a radio interview in the morning with a Duluth Radio Station, KUMD.
Media here in Minneapolis included the Star-Tribune, as well as, KSTP-the ABC affiliate and WCCO-the CBS affiliate. An excellent, but very tiring day for the ban bus! The ban campaigners thanked Senator Paul D. Wellstone for cosponsoring S. 896 and Representatives James L. Oberstar, Bill Luther, Martin Olav Sabo, Bruce F. Vento and David Ming for their support for HR 2459. Minnesota representatives who have not yet supported the Landmine Elimination Act include: Senator Rod Grams and Representatives Collin C. Peterson, Jim Ramstad and Gil Gutknech.
This morning, campaigners joined the weekly Wednesday 7am vigil at Alliant Tech Systems in Hopkins, MN. Over 50 people showed up this morning to welcome the ban bus. Ban campaigners spoke briefly, but we were interested to hear the songs they sing (provided graciously by the McDonald sisters) and the chants they use at this weekly vigil. Local Wisconsin campaigner ,Mike Miles, drove down from Luck, Wisconsin and pulled out his guitar and sang songs as well. The local paper, the Hopkins Sun-Sailor, also was present at the vigil, asking questions about the ban bus. After the vigil, we went out to breakfast with this dedicated group who weekly participate, rain, shine or snow.
Special thanks go out to Susan Walker, who organized all events, although she is in Yemen helping the International Campaign, Jean Jachman, Duane Cady, Rev. Jim Ketcham, Perri Graham, and all those who showed up at 7am in the freezing cold weather to greet us at the Alliant vigil.
The ban bus heads to and through Iowa tomorrow, with stops scheduled in Ames and Iowa City. For more information contact, Wayne Osburn in Ames (515-294-6306) and Katy Hansen in Iowa City (319-337-7290).
The Ban Bus is an advocacy initiative. We are now striving to achieve a ban on cluster bombs. Our immediate mission is to work towards stronger legislation in Australia.