The Ban Bus

The ban bus traveled through Iowa over 2 days, with stops in Ames, Iowa City, and Davenport. In Ames, ban campaigners spoke to students at Iowa State University while Michael Hands did a demining demonstration outside the Student Union. In the evening, ban campaigners traveled to Iowa City, where they spoke to the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council. The presentation was taped to use on local NPR affiliate, WUSI. The local newspaper of Iowa City, the Daily
Iowan, covered all events in Iowa City.

In the morning, half the Ban Bus (George, Mette and John) headed for Davenport, while the rest of the gang stayed in Iowa City to attend a press conference at the local UNA offices and a rally outside the Old Capitol at the University of Iowa. The radio interview done by Mary Gray Davidson for the Common Ground show, broadcast across America on NPR , went extremely well. Other media that covered the day’s events include The Catholic Messenger, The Gazette, Des Moines Register, and The PressCitizen. All media were in attendance as Michael Hands demined University of Iowa, while over 100 students watched.
Jill, Michael, Petter and Dalma joined the group in Davenport, where Mette and John spoke to university students from St. Ambrose University, Blackhawk College, and Augustana College.

The media blitz continued- an interview with WVIK, public radio in the Quad Cities (Jill and Michael), talk radio DJ Jim Fisher on KUUL (Jill and Petter), as well as KWQC, the NBC affiliate, WQAD, the ABC affiliate, WHBF, the CBS affiliate and print media that included Catholic Messenger, Quad Cities Times, and The Distpatch.

Ban bussers congratulated Congressman Lane Evans (D-IL) for being a leader on this issue in the House and for being a tireless and effective leader in Washington for working towards a ban domestically. * Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley were thanked for cosponsoring S. 896 (Landmine Elimination Act) along with Representative James A. Leach. Representatives Tom Latham, Greg Ganske, Leonard L. Boswell, Jim Nussle were asked to support HR 2459.

In the evening, the group were guests at an excellent dinner hosted by Pat and Peg McCauley, with several local supporters in attendance. The ban bus finished off a hectic trek through Iowa with a presentation at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Special thanks to those in Iowa City and Ames: Katy Hansen and Dorothy Paul, UNA-Iowa City/Johnson County; Wayne Osborn, Iowa State University; Dr. John and Emily Sutphin ; Osha and Mary Gray-Davidson; Jim and Mary McCue; Tom Baldridge, and Professor Rex Honey, University of Iowa.

In Davenport, our hats go off to Martha Yerington and the Diocese of Davenport; St. Paul Lutheran Church; Pat and Peg McCauley; Sister Mary Lou Sucham, Fr. Bud Grant, and Thomas and Sandra Brus.

The ban bus heads off to Rockford, Illinois; Janesville and Madison, Wisconsin; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For more information, please contact Bonnie Block 608-256-5088.