The Ban Bus

Milwaukee, WI

The ban bus began its travels through Wisconsin first by stopping in Rockford, Illinois to have lunch with Rockford Peace and Justice and assemble a group to caravan to Accudyne Corp., a company involved in the manufacture of components for antipersonnel landmines located in Janesville, Wisconsin. Accudyne has refused to join 17 other US companies in renouncing its involvement in
the mine production business.

At Accudyne over 70 people from all over Wisconsin showed up to tell Accudyne to get out of the landmine business. Bruce Barrett of Physicians for Social Responsibility kicked the protest off by pouring 25,000 bb bullets into a pan to signify the thousands who are maimed or killed by landmines each year. Media from all over Wisconsin, including the NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates from the Janesville/Madison area, Wisconsin State Journal and, The Capital Times. Jill Greenberg of the US Campaign encouraged locals to begin a weekly organized protest at Accudyne, similar to the weekly Alliant vigil.

The ban bus then headed to Madison, Wisconsin and was greeted by supporters at the Wisconsin State Capitol, who then assembled a candlelight vigil outside the US Courthouse in downtown Madison. After the vigil, ban bussers had dinner with supporters at the Arts House Café and surprise guest Susan Walker of Handicap International who drove 5 hours to catch up with the ban bus for a day of activities.

The next day, Sunday, ban bussers gave presentations to two local churches and capped off their Madison stay with a noontime rally in the center of Madison, with many supporters present. All ban bussers said a few words, as well as Susan Walker, who gave an energizing speech that pumped up our friends in Madison. The ban bus then headed to Waukesha, Wisconsin to the headquarters of Amron Corporation, another landmine producer. Local campaigners and ban bussers joined together to leave a pledge not to produce landmines at the door of Amron. The local CBS affiliate was there to let everyone in Southeast Wisconsin know that they have a landmine producer in their area. The evening gave ban campaigners time to relax as they joined with local Milwaukee supporters for a pot luck supper.

Monday the 10th was a exciting day in Milwaukee for the ban bus. City Alderman Don Richards and Mayor John Norquist declared November 10th Ban Landmines Day and presented campaigners with a certificate. They also presented ban bussers with a special resolution to urge President Clinton to sign a ban. All local media from Milwaukee were present. Throughout Wisconsin, the ban bus congratulated Senators Herb Kohl and Russell D. Feingold, and Representatives Jay W. Johnson, David R. Obey, Thomas M. Barrett, Gerald D. Kleczka, Ron Kind, Scott L. Klug for their cosponsorship of the Landmine Elimination Act. Representatives F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Thomas E. Petri and Mark W. Neuman were urged to support the ban.

Special thanks to Mike Miles, Bruce Barrett, Bonnie and Bob Block, Nan and David Cheney, Daniel and Georgia Gomez-Ibanez, the University of Wisconsin Greens and Reverend Sue Larsen in Madison and Tom Seery, Jim and Kathie Vint, Alderman Don Richards, Mayor John Norquist, and Peace Action Milwaukee. The ban bus heads to the Windy City, Chicago, for November 10 and 11. For more information, please contact Carl Nyberg, 312-939-3312.