I and members of Resist US-Led War Seattle worked alongside dozens of other anti-imperialist organizations to agitate, organize, and mobilize our communities to San Diego to oppose the RIMPAC military exercises. This summer, from June 28th to 30th, over 550 individuals from across the country, including 10 members of Resist-US Led War Seattle, met for a summit focused on engaging with and learning from our mass movement against imperialism and launching a mass mobilization at various naval bases in San Diego. Resist US-Led War Seattle’s participation was made possible by the Abe Osheroff and Gunnel Clark Endowed Fund, which was wholly dedicated to the travel and accommodation costs for our members.
The Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercises are a multinational demonstration of naval warfare capabilities hosted by the United States, beginning in San Diego and ending in Hawai’i. This is a simulation of a hypothetical battle which includes the mobilization of warships, submarines, fighter aircraft, and people for amphibious operations. Technological capabilities are highlighted in the detonation of mines, launching of cruise missiles, and firing of artillery. Such displays of force are not only needless, but escalate tensions between states in conflict and pollute the land, water, and air of nearby Hawai’i. Retired military ships leach toxic materials such as lead and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into the seawater, which is then consumed by Hawaiians through drinking water and eating seafood. Underwater bomb detonations wreak havoc on sea life by driving them from feeding areas and interfering with mating, impacting the food sources of native Hawaiians. Amphibious landing exercises damage reefs, erode shorelines, and endanger wildlife. Additionally, the influx of over 25,000 military personnel has been shown to increase sex trafficking and sexual violence against native Hawaiian women.
In the build-up to the Cancel RIMPAC Summit, I participated in the logistics coordination and education committees. Through this, I was able to play a part in making the harms of militarism more visible and provide those who wanted to oppose such injustice the opportunity to. We filed FOIA requests to the University of Washington to investigate the role of the Jackson School of International Studies in the RIMPAC exercises and, more broadly, military involvement in the Asia-Pacific. Additionally, we explored the connection between environmental pollution generated by these exercises in the waters of Hawai’i to similar pollution generated by Boeing manufacturing, particularly in how this perpetuates violence onto the Indigenous peoples of both areas. Finally, I played a role in organizing flights, housing, and meal costs for our organization members.
While I could not attend the summit and demonstration myself, the lessons learned from my participation in the preparation of the events and feedback from my fellow members were incredibly valuable. As citizens of the United States, we have a unique position to resist the human rights abuses enacted by militarism just like Abe Osheroff and Gunnel Clark had in the major conflicts of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Working with hundreds of people dedicated to continuing that same struggle was deeply meaningful, particularly because the momentum against militarism only increased after the demonstrations. Resist US-Led War Seattle’s local work will continue to call on the University of Washington to cut ties with Boeing and hold the University of Washington accountable for its role in the perpetuation of militarism, environmental destruction, labor rights abuses, and broader human rights abuses through this relationship.