Activists arrested at nuclear weapons plant groundbreaking

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Holding large signs and chanting refrains of "Build for peace, not for war," eight peace activists were arrested here Sept. 8 for blocking access to the official groundbreaking ceremony for a major new nuclear weapons production facility.

The acts of civil disobedience came six days after Bishop Robert W. Finn of the Kansas City-Saint Joseph diocese released a statement asking officials to reconsider the construction of the new plant and three weeks after 14 activists were arrested at the same site for a separate nonviolent peace action.

The new plant, which will make nonnuclear parts for nuclear weapons, is set to be the nation’s first new major nuclear weapons production facility in 32 years.

Stepping in front of buses carrying local, state and federal officials, activists halted the flow of people into the official ceremony for a few minutes as police gathered to arrest those who would not get out of the way and let the buses continue to move.

Reading from Finn’s statement to the 70 activists gathered at the site, Jude Huntz, director of the diocese’s human rights office, said the continued creation of nuclear weapons poses a "grave moral danger."

"Let us make a decision for all of humanity," Huntz read from Finn’s statement, "that one day this facility may be transformed from a producer of weapons into a producer of goods that benefit all mankind."

In a tented area away from the activists, the official groundbreaking ceremony continued despite the disruption. Opened with a performance by a local high school marching band and a presentation of colors by a Boy Scout troop, the event included speeches by four members of the Missouri congressional delegation and climaxed with a ceremonial shoveling of dirt at the construction site.

Speaking to those gathered at the official event, Democratic Congressman Ike Skelton said that the new nuclear facility would become a "solid part" of the country’s system of nuclear deterrence.

"National security is important; it’s the bottom line of what we’re all about," Skelton said. "What is done at this plant will help keep us secure, safe and free."
Republican Sen. Kit Bond told attendees that construction of the new facility would ensure economic growth for the local area by providing "approximately 1,500" construction jobs.

"Projects like this help ensure economic stability in dangerous times," Bond said. "[The plant] should be a good boost for the Kansas City area for many years to come."

Also speaking at the event was Terry Dunn, president and CEO of JE Dunn Construction Group. Responsible for building the new facility, family-owned JE Dunn is known locally for its generous contributions to charity and its ties to Catholic organizations. Members of the Dunn family have served on diocesan development councils in the past.

Speaking to NCR after the event, Dunn said that while the Finn’s statement may reflect the bishop’s vision and hope for the future, it doesn’t reflect current reality.

"With dozens of countries who are armed with nuclear weapons, including rogue nations … we believe this [plant] is an appropriate deterrent to allow us to hopefully live in peace," Dunn said.

Currently a part of the Bannister Federal Complex, located about 13 miles south of the city’s downtown area, the Kansas City Plant is responsible for the production and assembly of approximately 85 percent of the nonnuclear components for the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The plant is set to be relocated beginning in 2012 to the new facility farther south.

The National Nuclear Security Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Energy, has said the new facility will carry an estimated price tag of $673 million for construction and $1.2 billion over the next 20 years.

[Joshua McElwee is an NCR staff writer.]

Related reporting from NCR:

• Before groundbreaking, KC nuclear weapons plant attracts press
• The courage to oppose nuclear bomb makers
• Kansas City Bishop questions local nuclear weapons plant
• Catholic activists arrested at Kansas City nuclear weapons facility
• Hiroshima Day marked by Kansas City activist sentencing

Editor's Note: For more photographs from the event Sept. 8 take a look at the slideshow below.