wfn.org | ABCUSA: ABW MINISTRIES ADDRESSES VIEQUES

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.org]

AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

ABW MINISTRIES ADOPTS STATEMENT ON 
VIEQUES 
 In response to ongoing crises on the Puerto Rican 
island of Vieques, the Executive Committee of American 
Baptist Women's Ministries, meeting recently in Richmond, 
Va., adopted a statement urging all American Baptist 
women to "pray for peace and justice" and contact 
government leaders "until there is a complete 
decontamination of the island."
 The resolution supports residents' demands for 
"clean water and air, removal of contaminants, 
employment and economic justice" on Vieques, where a 
longstanding U.S. Navy presence has been criticized by 
many for causing environmental and other damage.
 The Executive Committee was helped in its 
deliberations by members Miriam Gutierrez and Terri 
Simpkins.  Both have visited Vieques and met with 
residents there.  Gutierrez, a native of Puerto Rico, held a 
key role in organizing the silent protest march led by 
religious leaders in San Juan in February 2000 that 
included more than 80,000 participants.  Simpkins, 
western geographical coordinator, noted, "For two years 
American Baptist women have been studying the theme, 
'Pursue Peace.'  We believe that God's call to care for this 
world that He made, to care for all people...compels us to 
pursue this action."
 The committee's unanimously-adopted "Resolution 
on Vieques" states in part:
 "In obedience to the Gospel, and in response to 
the continuing struggle for clean water and air, removal of 
contaminants, employment and economic justice by the 
residents of Puerto Rico for the island of Vieques, the 
American Baptist Women's Ministries Executive Committee 
urges all American Baptist women to pray for peace and 
justice.  Furthermore, we urge women to contact 
President Bush and their congressional representatives to 
support the removal of the U. S. Naval presence from the 
island of Vieques.  Due to environmental damage, 
including contaminated water supplies, the destruction of 
fishing grounds, coral reefs and mangrove trees, and an 
abnormally high incidence of cancer, we will continue in 
solidarity with these protests until there is a complete 
decontamination of the island by the U. S. Navy."

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