Ground Zero mentioned in Kerry’s confirmation hearing

In his appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on January 24^th Secretary of State hopeful John Kerry was asked about his support for former Republican Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel to be Secretary of Defense (“Kerry: An Outsider Finally Gets In”, Time.com, January 25, 2013).

The Time Magazine article stated that “[Senator Bob] Corker [of Tennessee] voiced concerns about Hagelʼs membership in a group called Ground Zero, which strives to eliminate all nuclear weapons from the earth.” 

Ground Zero, also known as Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, is a small grass-roots organization in Poulsbo, Washington.  Ground Zero is dedicated to the study and practice of nonviolence, and works for the abolition of nuclear weapons through educational outreach and nonviolent direct action.

 

Hagel is actually a signatory to Global Zero, an international movement for the elimination of all nuclear weapons. Hagel supported the May 2012 Global Zero report that called for deep reductions in the number of U.S. nuclear weapons beyond already planned cuts.

 

Ground Zero is currently engaged in legal proceedings in Federal Court to stop the construction of an additional Explosives Handling Wharf designed to handle thermonuclear ballistic missiles deployed on Trident (OHIO Class) submarines based at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Silverdale, Washington.

Ground Zero is also questioning the need to build twelve new ballistic missile submarines to replace the current Trident fleet.  The Trident nuclear weapons system was originally designed as a “strategic deterrent” to the Soviet Union’s nuclear capability at the height of the Cold War.  The Navy has not demonstrated any new rationale for this $100 billion project.

Contact: Leonard Eiger, 425-445-2190

              Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action

              16159 Clear Creek Road NW Poulsbo, WA 98370

              www.gzcenter.org

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