Shundahai Network

Divine Strake Bunker Buster Test Cancelled!!

Dear friends,

We received news yesterday that the Divine Strake bunker buster test planned for the Nevada Test Site has been CANCELED!

We enthusiastically echo our friends at the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah (HEAL Utah), who emphasize that this test has not been delayed, it has not been moved, it has been canceled.

As many of you are aware, after the test was announced last year, Shundahai Network was among the first to follow the lead of communities and individuals within the Western Shoshone Nation to raise the cry against this test.

Soon after the announcement of the test, our Executive Director joined in a lawsuit against the agencies behind Divine Strake, following the leadership of Western Shoshone and other Downwinders who continue to suffer from decades of nuclear weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site.

That lawsuit succeeded in postponing Divine Strake last spring and forced the Federal Government to look at other locations for the test. First, the Government considered a limestone quarry in Indiana, then the White Sands missile range in New Mexico. Dedicated “people power” stopped them in each location. Then they turned their sights back on the Nevada Test Site.

Thousands of people, many citizen groups and even state governments kept the pressure on to force complete cancellation. Ultimately we have succeeded. Congratulations are due to so many; it’s impossible to count.

Particular recognition must go to the Indigenous people who immediately initiated and organized resistance to this test. The Western Shoshone were the first to bring public attention to Divine Strake, initiating the coalition process that originally activated over fifty organizations to stop the test in the first round. This was conducted in the courts,
through public education, and through non-violent direct action last spring during the weekend when the test was first scheduled to be conducted.

Other indigenous groups were central to organizing and leading non-violent civil resistance over that weekend at the Test Site. These included the Western Shoshone Defense Project and Western Shoshone National Council, Indigenous Environmental Network, and Colorado AIM. Over thirty people were arrested at that time, including indigenous people and many allies who participated in a weekend peace camp at NTS

Again, so many people contributed this victory; it’s impossible to count. For all this dedication you deserve the deepest gratitude.

In peace,

Pete Litster
Shundahai Network