The Golden Rule Peace Boat to Sail up the Columbia River
The historic Golden Rule anti-nuclear sailboat has embarked on an epic voyage that will bring her up the Columbia River in early June for exciting events in Portland, Hood River, Stevenson, and Vancouver. (See schedule below.)
A boat with a mission: In 1958, the newly-built Golden Rule and her intrepid crew of Quaker peace activists attempted to sail into the U.S. nuclear bomb test zone in the Marshall Islands. Worldwide publicity spurred international awareness of the health impacts of nuclear radiation in the atmosphere. The Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, banning nuclear explosions in the air, water and outer space was signed by the U.S., the U.K. and the USSR in 1963.
Over the last six years the Golden Rule has been lovingly restored by Veterans For Peace and many friends in her homeport of Humboldt Bay on California’s north coast. She is once again sailing for a nuclear-free world and a peaceful sustainable future. From early June through mid-October, she will be plying the waterways of the Pacific Northwest, making stops in nearly 30 ports in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.
Exciting, busy 2016 sailing schedule: The Golden Rule will be seen by tens of thousands of people at wooden boat festivals in Seattle (July 2-4), Vancouver, British Columbia (Aug. 25-28), Victoria, BC (Sept. 2-4) and Port Townsend on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula (Sept. 9-11). Her rust colored sails emblazoned with a peace sign (the original symbol of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) and the logo of Veterans For Peace will attract many visitors, who will learn about the amazing history of the Golden Rule.
“This voyage is very timely,” said Helen Jaccard, VFP Golden Rule Project Manager. “The Obama administration’s has announced that One Trillion Dollars will be spent over the next 30 years to ‘modernize’ the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal. This is a total violation of both the letter and the spirit of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
“We also want to give a platform to local activists who are concerned about threats to the environment from oil terminals and proposed coal and natural liquid gas ports throughout the Northwest,” said Jaccard.
Sailing and Event Schedule for the Golden Rule on the Willamette and Columbia Rivers:
Tuesday, June 7, 2016: Arrive in Portland
Wednesday, June 8, 2016: Panel Presentation at First Unitarian Church, Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Avenue, 7:00-9:30pm featuring leading antinuclear speakers and music by the internationally known singer/songwriter David Rovics. KBOO Radio is sponsoring the event.
Thursday, June 9, 2016: Fleet Week Parade of Navy war ships: the Golden Rule and many other boats will provide the contrasting message of peace.
Friday, June 10, 2016: Potluck and presentation at Multnomah Friends Meeting, 4312 SE Stark St., 6:30-9:00 pm.
Saturday, June 11, 2016: The Golden Rule will sail in the Willamette River through downtown Portland during the annual Parade of Roses. Alongside will be a 22-foot traditional Marshall Islands outrigger canoe, newly constructed by Marshallese who now live in the Portland area. Many Marshall Islanders have had to resettle due to global warming-caused rising tides that are gradually putting their home islands under water.
Sunday, June 12, 2016: The Golden Rule leaves Portland.
Monday, June 13, 2016: Cascade Locks, informal potluck picnic, 5:00-8:00pm.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016: Golden Rule arrives in Hood River.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016: Tours of the boat and sailing from the Port Marina Park dock
5:00pm: Water Blessing and Potluck Picnic at the Port Marina Park – bring some food and drink and enjoy chatting with the crew.
7:00 pm: Panel presentation at Riverside Community Church Sanctuary, 317 State St., featuring Oregon Conservancy Foundation, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Columbia Riverkeeper, and Living Islands.
Thursday, June 16, 2016: Golden Rule sails to Stevenson, Washington.
During the day: The Golden Rule peace boat will be arriving from Hood River mid-day and available to tour and take people sailing from the transient day dock.
5:00 pm: Potluck at Stevenson United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 325 NW Jefferson St. Bring some food and drink and enjoy chatting with the crew.
7:00 to 8:30 pm: Presentation at the Stevenson United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.
Friday, June 17, 2016: Golden Rule sails to Vancouver, Washington and will be available for tours and sailing. An educational event is being planned for June 17 or 18, time and place to be determined.
Many people are stepping up to help make the Golden Rule voyage a success. Local sponsors include: Veterans For Peace, Physicians For Social Responsibility, KBOO Radio, No Nukes NW, Alliance for Democracy Oregon, Education Without Borders, Multnomah Friends Meeting, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Stevenson United Methodist Church and Columbia Riverkeeper.
The VFP Golden Rule Project is still accepting applications for captains and crew. If you are interested in participating in this amazing four-month voyage throughout the Northwest, whether for a week or a month, please let us know. Experience is preferred, but intrepid novices may also apply online. Volunteer organizers can help us make the visit to your port even more successful. For a complete Northwest schedule, or to donate to the VFP Golden Rule Project, please visit www.vfpgoldenruleproject.org, or call 415-794-5235.
