The Ban Bus

(Philadelphia, PA, November 20, 1997) After a farewell from DC filmed by a Japanese broadcasting team, the Ban Bus departed for Philadelphia, PA. The first 75th presentation by the Ban Bus was made to the local NPR radio station - WHYY with an hour long interview with local callers including Korean and Vietnam War veterans. The Ban Bus was welcomed at a rally at the City Hall in downtown Philadelphia where City Councilman Angel Ortiz presented a resolution which had just passed unanimously through the Council. The resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass appropriate legislation to ban antipersonnel
landmines and urges the U.S. Government to participate in and accede to, the Ottawa Treaty. The event was covered by local newspapers including the Philadelphia Inquirer and television stations including the local CBS and NBC affiliates.

The Ban Bus then viewed the Robert Capa exhibition - Capa, a famous war photographer, was killed in when he stepped on a landmine while working in the Vietnam War. After a lunch sponsored by the White Dog on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, the Ban Bus spoke at the University’s Law School. The last event of the day was a presentation at the American Friends Services Committee where the Ban Bus was given a poster from the people of Philadelphia calling for a ban on antipersonnel landmines. The Ban Bus then departed for New York City to avoid the morning traffic and make an early morning event.
The Ban Bus thanked Senator Arlen Specter for his support of the Landmine Elimination Act and also thanked Representatives Phil English, William J. Coyne, Jon D. Fox, Paul E. Kanjorski, John E. Peterson, Robert A. Borski, and Chaka Fatta for their support. The ban bus asked Senator Rick Santorum and Representatives Frank Mascara, William F. Goodling, Michael F. Doyle, George W. Gekas, Joseph R. Pitts, Paul McHale, John P. Murtha, Joseph M. McDade, Bud Shuster, James C. Greenwood, Curt Weldon, Tim Holden, Ron Klink, and Thomas M. Foglietta for their support.

The Ban Bus publicized local companies involved in the manufacture of components for antipersonnel landmines which refuse to renounce their involvement in the mine production business. The two local companies are: Action Manufacturing Company, tel. 2 1 5-739-6400 and Day & Zimmerman, tel. 2 15-299-8000.

The Ban Bus would like to thank Kate Green and David Gracie of the American Friends Services Committee, the Philadelphia Bar Association and its International Human Rights Committee, the Peace Committee of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends, the Philadelphia chapter of Veterans for Peace, the local Peace Action chapter, Abolition 2000 and the many individuals and groups who turned out to show their support.