Mock ICBM erected in Ellipse to oppose planned $1 trillion for new nukes

On the 31st of January, activists erected a mock ICBM missile in the Ellipse in opposition to US plans to spend $1 trillion on new nuclear weapons. Under the name "Global Zero" they called instead for the global decommissioning of nuclear weapons. Many of these weapons are decades old, some may not function if an attempt is made to use them, and they are a growing hazard for a release of nuclear waste.

There are even reports of Russian missile silos which have partially filled with groundwater, making the missiles useless. Under these circumstances, for the US to spend a trillon dollars on nuclear weapons is utter folly. That kind of money could pay for conversion of the whole country to renewable energy using resources recycled from existing fossil fuel infrastructure. It could pay to house every homeless person on the continent. Possibly it could pay for both, especially after factoring in the reality that military spending creates fewer jobs than any other program.

John Zangas photo

John Zangas photo

Creative Commons Licence