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Halifax
30th Anniversary of Debunk Debert - - Celebration - -
7:00pm
- 9:00pm
Saturday March 1 2014
Venue: Museum of Natural History
Address: 1747 Summer Street
The public is invited to attend an evening in celebration of the 30th Anniversary
of “Debunk Debert” a women's day of peaceful protest held at Debert Military
Base on Feb 29, 1984. This protest of a NATO drill at the Debert bunker was
months in the making. The various actions mounted that day garnered, by
design, national media attention. This 30th anniversary of this historical day of
action and the women who made it happen are the cause of this celebration.
The evening begins with a video screening followed by a presentation, a
discussion, and a reception.
Part 1 VIDEO SCREENING
In the Theatre of the NS Museum of Natural History, lower floor, we will screen
the documentary “Debert Bunker: By Invitation Only” directed by Liz
MacDougall (30: min. c.1985).
(See video description below.)
Part 2 PRESENTATION
As a fitting acknowledgement of the past 30 years of women in activism, four
women will make presentations on the topic of collective activism for peace and
social justice. Along with considering the role of collective action, we will explore
from our experience, the elements of a successful campaign such as: research,
analysis, working with the media, persistence, irony, satire, and utilizing social
media among others.
Presenters are:
Donna Smyth, writer and environmental activist
Kate Matheson, social worker and youth peace camp organizer
Dr Nancy Covington, Physicians for Global Survival
Allison Sparling, activist and new media strategist
(bios below)
Following the presentations, Liz MacDougall will facilitate a brief discussion
between presenters and the audience.
RECEPTION
Reception to follow.
Presenters biographies:
Appearing in the Debert video and presenting this evening is Donna
Smyth, a writer and long-time environmental and peace activist who's
worked with the Nova Scotia Voice of Women (NSVOW) and the Never
Again Affinity Group ‘the NAAGS’, a street-theatre group.
Also presenting Kate Matheson is a social worker in practice with
women experiencing the criminal justice system. Kate is a new
member of NSVOW and is on the planning committee for the NSVOW
*PeacemakeHers* leadership camp for young women.
Dr Nancy Covington is a member of Physicians for Global Survival,
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW),
and also NSVOW. Her work with these organizations is aimed at
creating a more peaceful and secure world freed from the threat of
nuclear annihilation.
Allison Sparling, inspired by her Grandmother Mary Sparling, is active
in the community on multiple issues with a focus on neighbourhoods
and women's rights. Allison uses the internet for 'smart' campaigns
that harness existing momentum using new communications
technologies - social media, analytics, and crowdsourcing.
Liz MacDougall is a Halifax artist working in video, audio, web design
and interactive media. Liz makes media for non profits and activist
groups.
Video Description:
In this documentary, set outside
a military base in Debert, NS,
five women's peace groups
gathered to call attention to a
secretive Emergency Measures
Organization (EMO) practice-run.
This drill sent chosen officials,
329 men and 11 women, into a
NATO operated underground
bunker for protection during a
hypothetical nuclear attack.
These drills were happening in
various bunkers internationally
including Greenham Common, UK
Each activist group points out,
through street theatre or in
ritualistic performances, the
deadly irony of emergency drills
that are no less than re-
hearsals for nuclear war.
This video takes its form through
interviews with a representative
from each group inter-cut with
the scenes of the day made more
comedic or intense with the interjection of news footage, TV, photographs,
radio commentary and film clips about nuclear defense.
Although the subject matter is most serious, satire, irony, and common
sense, are the tools used to point out the ridiculous in a NATO strategy
that has us planning for our survival after a nuclear attack.
- 30 -
Topics: Direct Action
614 words
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