NATO fence climber
NATO, few people know what this international organisation actually does.
Still, our security policy is largely determined by our membership of NATO.
For a country like Belgium, this membership involves important consequences; Belgium takes part in the war in Afghanistan, stores nuclear weapons at the military base in Kleine Brogel, transports - via its railways, harbours and airports - US military equipment to Irak, etc. NATO considers military interventions all over the world as one of its core businesses. The war in Afghanistan demonstrates what that means: delivering democracy through the bombs hatch of a fighter plane.
On april the 4th 2009, NATO celebrates its sixtieth birthday. Heads of State and Government leaders gather at a big NATO-summit in Strasbourg, France. The campaign NATO GAME OVER, by Vredesactie (B) will intervene again: a military alliance which operates globally, posesses nuclear arms and is prepared to strike first, is a danger for world peace.
ACTION-AGENDA
21 MARCH 2009: THE BELGIAN NATO GAME OVER
The political and military headquarters of NATO are in Belgium. The decision of our government to be a loyal NATO partner, is taken in Belgium. That's why, in the run-up of the new NATO summit in Strasbourg, just before NATO's sixtieth birthday, we will close down the NATO headquarters in Brussels. The Belgian NATO GAME OVER is a call to the Belgian government to argue against a missile defence system, and advocate the closure of American military bases in Europe. We demand the withdrawal of NATO soldiers from Afghanistan, and the immediate removal of illegal nuclear weapons from our country.
NATO GAME OVER is an action of civil disobedience. We enter the NATO site, non-violently and determined, and seal gates, windows and doors. In doing so, we violate a specific law to stop a much bigger crime. International law supports our act of civil responsibility.
DO YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION?
mail to info ( at ) vredesactie.be
1-5 APRIL 09 STRASBOURG: INTERNATIONAL ACTION CAMP AND COUNTER SUMMIT
On the fourth of april 2009, NATO exists sixty years. Heads of State and Government leaders gather for a big NATO-summit in Strasbourg, France.
Sixty years is more than enough. The European peace movement shows the resistance against NATO through direct non-violent actions, a NATO countersummit and a big demonstration.
DO YOU WANT TO JOIN?
Allong with other European organisations, Vredesactie organises transport to the action camp in Strasbourg. For subscription and information: mail to info ( at ) vredesactie.be
or phone 0032 (0)3 281 68 39
NON-VIOLENT BLOCKADE OF THE NATO SUMMIT
A large coalition in which Vredesactie participates wants to block the NATO-summit. More information on this action you find on theWRI-website and on the NATO ZU-website.
TRANSPORT
The bus leaves on the 31st march from Amsterdam (N) and picks up activists in Berchem (Antwerp, B) at 12h. We drive back on sunday the 5th of april.
We ask for a contribution of minimum 20 Euro's (actual cost=50 Euro, so if you can afford it, you're welcome to pay more)
ACCOMODATION
There is a campsite for the activist camp in Straatsburg. Bring your own tent and sleeping bag.
FOOD
Several mobile kitchen will serve three delicious organic/vegetarian meals a day for a democratic price.
LOGISTICS
The action site will probably be quite basic. Be as independent as possible, bring all the material you need for communication etc (laptop, chargers, switches, ...).
