History

1989 - 1990

At the end of 1989 some people gathered in Gent -Belgium- to organise a Walk across America in 1992, 500 years after Columbus landed on the shores of Turtle Island, nowadays known as America.

The vision came from the non-profit 'European Peace Pilgrimage' from the Netherlands. They made an appeal to have several small bands of people walking from different points from the East coast of the USA to converge at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site on October 12th 1992. In Nevada the USA tested over 800 nuclear weapons since 1951... according to the Treaty of Ruby Valley the land of the Western Shoshone Indian Tribe.

1991

After an overwhelming response in Belgium, it was decided in 1991 to create an independent grass-roots non-profit organization. William Rosse Sr., a Western Shoshone elder wispered us the name FOR MOTHER EARTH. In July 1991 an second office of FOR MOTHER EARTH opened in the USA.

1992

On January 31st 1992 around 100 people started an unusual nine-month journey of 5.500 km. across America. Walkers from Belgium, the USA and different Indian Nations walked together. They faced snow, rain and freezing cold, or the heat of the desert as they moved their feet slowly in their trail for human-rights, the environment and disarmament.

It became a wonderful experience, where close to 500 people joined their 'feet' on their effort to raise consciousness around the violation of Indigenous People's landrights and nuclear developments worldwide. And when the walkers reached Nevada they could read in the newspaper that their effort was fruitful : on October 1st 1992 President Bush had declared a moratorium on nuclear testing. On October 12th 1992 over 2000 people joined in a non-violent protest.

1993 - 1994

The walk had empowered people and created strong links. In 1993 it was decided to continue our walking. In 1993 and 1994 'shorter' walks were initiated across Belgium.

A FOR MOTHER EARTH Indigenous Support Group responded -and still does- to many calls for support from Indigenous People: Free Leonard Peltier, Mount Graham, ...

In 1993 FOR MOTHER EARTH also set up a Fund to support financially Indigenous Peoples projects. Please write for info or financial support to : FOR MOTHER EARTH Indigenous Support Fund, Attn. Ria Verjauw, Overstraat 80, 3020 Veltem, Belgium.

1995

In 1995 FOR MOTHER EARTH launched an international campaign and petition to halt nuclear testing, outlaw nuclear weapons, phase-out nuclear power, and promote energy savings and renewable energies.

An average of 80 people from 25 different countries joined for that purpose the 'Walk across Europe for a Nuclear Free World', and stepped 5.500 km from Brussels to Moscow.

This walk generated new FOR MOTHER EARTH groups in the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia and Belarus.

At the end of 1995 FOR MOTHER EARTH was also actively campaigning and spreading the call for boycott of French products and services from the Indigenous Maohi in Polynesia as protest against resumption of French nuclear testing.

1996

In April 1996 nearly eighty people participated in the Walk for a Nuclear Free Future. FOR MOTHER EARTH activists walked through deserted and inhabited contaminated post-Chernobyl wastelands to mark the tenth anniversary of the largest industrial disaster ever. On April 26th the railroad and the main road leading to the still operating Chernobyl NPP were blocked. Simultanous actions at NPP's were organised by FOR MOTHER EARTH in Belgium, Netherlands and Slovakia.

New FOR MOTHER EARTH groups are formed in Finland, Romania, Sri Lanka and the Ukraine.

France and China halt their nuclear testing programmes.

On July 8th the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rules that 'the threat or use of nuclear weapons would be generally contrary to the rules of international law, and that there exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects'.

In September two For Mother Earth activists are the first peace activists to use the ICJ-ruling in a local courtroom where they appear 'for tresspassing' in a US-nuclear weapons depot in Belgium (december 1995) carrying a large banner 'nuclear weapons illegal'. The judge rules he is not competent for this case and the activists are acquited.

On September 24th the United Nations General Assembly in New York approves with an overwhelming majority the long-awaited 'Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty'.

Za Matku Zem calls for an international boycott of Siemens products (Siemans, Osram, ...). Siemens is a major partner in the completion of the Slovakian Mochovce NPP.

1997

In winter 1997 FOR MOTHER EARTH organised a succesfull international training seminar for FOR MOTHER EARTH activists in Bratislava - Slovakia. The purpose was to share our experience and skills on how to organise and campaign effectively. FOR MOTHER EARTH was part of the international camp and blockade protesting the completion of the Temelin NPP (CZ) in the second half of July.

FOR MOTHER EARTH was a driving force to launch a new international campaign of civil resistence to ban nuclear weapons: Nuclear Weapons Abolition Days - also a working group of Abolition 2000 - the global network to eliminate nuclear weapons.

This campaign was launched on July 8 1997, the first anniversary of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the illegal status of nuclear weapons. An international delegation of the 'Nuclear Weapons Abolition Days' (NWAD) network divered notarized 'Citizens Summons' to NATO leaders meeting in Madrid. They demand NATO leaders to comply with their legal obligation.

On August 6 1997 the main gate of NATO Headquarters in Brussels is closed for a 'war crimes inspection'. Four citizens enter the HQ and ask to see the list of targets of NATO's nuclear force. This is refused by Mr. Merril, the principal director of the private office of NATO's Secretary General Javier Solana.

On August 9 1997 Citizens Inspect nuclear weapon related sites in Belgium (Kleine Brogel B61-11 weapon depot), England (Menwith Hill, Aldermaston laboratory), France (Cherbourg submarine yard), Germany (Buechel B61-11 depot), Netherlands (Volkel B61-11 depot), Scotland (Faslane Trident base) and USA (Los Alamos laboratory, ELF, Valley Forge, Livermore, ....).

On October 27 1997 NATO Secretary Solana notes in a letter to our network that NATO was considering the ICJ opinion very seriously, but had not yet come to a clear decision on the impact of the court's ruling.

On December 9 1997 the UN General Asembly of the United nations adopts a new resolution invoking the ICJ opinion. Once again an overwhelming majority calls for multilateral negotiations banning nuclear weapons to start in 1998. And once again NATO members vote against this disarmament resolution.

On October 10th the non-violent blockade of the nuclear power plant in Doel (Belgium) marks the start of FOR MOTHER EARTH's 'Indigenous Peoples Uranium Speaking Tour in Europe'. Indigenous representatives from Australia (Joan Bokaer), Africa (Dr. Reinhard Zaire & Kika Mutambo), USA (Larry Lente and Sky Walkin-Stick-Man Alone) and Canada (Priscilla and Mikka Settee) travelled to Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and finally Austria to inform the public of the consequences of our nuclear power plants for Indigenous Peoples.

Uranium is often mined on Indigenous Peoples Sacred lands, and 'imported' for use in our atomic power stations. Can we talk about 'clean' energy when Indigenous Peoples lands lands are turned into wastelands, and their health is effected by radiation

1998

In 1998 For Mother Earth continued to facilitate the 'Nuclear Abolition Days Network'. Actions were carried out at the NATO Ministerial meeting of Defence and Foreign Affairs, while NATO headquarters saw itself inspected by citizens for the second anniversary of the ICJ opinion. Nuclear sites around the world were also inspected for the anniversary of end of the Nurmberg Trial (1946) on October 1st. For Mother Earth was also an active participant in the launch of Trident Ploughshares 2000, a non-violent disarmament campaign in Faslane, Scotland. FOR MOTHER EARTH organised a walk from NATO to the Faslane nuclear submarine base. Three FOR MOTHER EARTH campaigners were imprisoned for 5 weeks while upholding international law.

FOR MOTHER EARTH groups in Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria continued to campaign on the growing danger of nuclear power. Especially the Western nuclear industry, having lost its market in the West, continues efforts by moving to Eastern Europe.

1999

An estimated 700 people joined the For Mother Earth '2000 Walk for Nuclear Disarmament' in May 1999, bringing the ruling of the ICJ from The Hague to NATO hq in Brussels. FOR MOTHER EARTH continues to take the lead in organising Citizens Inspections to prevent crimes against humanity by nuclear powers and their allies.

FOR MOTHER EARTH also participated actively in the network opposing the war in Kosovo. A June 1999 UN report claims pollution, following NATO bombings, to be worse then Chernobyl.

On October 12th 1999, exactly 7 years after the end of the 5.500km 'Walk across America for Mother Earth' in the Nevada desert, a new pioneering project is being realized with the handing over of the keys of two beautiful and centrally located houses. The For Mother Earth organic restaurant and information centre on the ground floor opened its doors for the public on November 27th.

With the restaurant and GEC we aim to demonstrate a renewable life-style, promoting organic agriculture, while making maximal use of natural recycled materials, natural paints, loam construction and renewable building materials. Also the use of energy will be provided by renewable means, while an economical use of energy (low energy lamps, insulation) is a top-priority.

2000

In 2000 an amazing amount of hours were invested in launching and running the new FOR MOTHER EARTH organic restaurant annex infoshop, while constructing a new office for FOR MOTHER EARTH on the top floor.

On April 24th, as the review conference for the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) began at the UN headquarters in New York, FOR MOTHER EARTH organised the biggest ever non-violent direct action at the NATO nuclear weapon base of Kleine Brogel. Over 300 people took part in the "Bomspotting II" action, including Belgian Members of Parliament and famous authors. Actors took the lead of the theatrical demonstration. During the colourful protest 100 'citizens inspectors' were arrested as they entered the base in search for evidence to prove the illegal deployment of 10 US B-61 nuclear weapons.

In October there was a photographic inspection of Kleine Brogel.

As less time was invested in the international network, and peoples' priorities changed several FOR MOTHER EARTH groups faded away: Bulgaria, Ukraine, Finland, Belarus and Germany. While we have contacts in these countries, only in Belgium, the USA, Sri Lanka, Romania and Slovakia people continue to use the name For Mother Earth in what became a very loose and informal network.

2001

In April, Bomspotting III attracts almost 1500 protesters to the NATO nuclear weapon base in Kleine Brogel. Almost 850 activists are arrested as they occupy the runway.

FOR MOTHER EARTH joins the protests against the foreign policy of the Bush administration as the US President visits the NATO hq in Brussels.

The second Nanish Shontie European tour takes place, organised by the Working Group on Indigenous Peoples' Issues.

Finnish conscientious Objector Jussi Hermaja, who refuses both military and civilian service, asks political asylum in Belgium. He joins our team in the office and starts a campaign for COs who are imprisoned in his home country.

On September 11th four civilian airplanes are hijacked and flown into the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon killing almost 3000. For Mother Earth joins in the anti-war protests against the revenge bombing of Afghanistan. Also during the Belgian presidency of the European union, FOR MOTHER EARTH pushed for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

2002

The Belgian government decides to phase out nuclear energy for the 7 aging nuclear reactors in Doel and Tihange. The nuclear power plants produce almost 60% of Belgian electricity. All will close after a service of 40 years. The last reactor will close in 2025.

US plans to have weapon-grade plutonium test-assemblies produced in the Belgian MOX plant from Belgonucleaire is met with protest from Greenpeace Belgium and FOR MOTHER EARTH. The protest devides the Belgian government which fails to give a go-ahead. A new threat for the survival of Belgonucleaire.

On October 5th a new record number of 2000 people protest the deployment of illegal US nuclear bombs at Kleine Brogel in Belgium. 1117 people are arrested during the non-violent direct action in and around the base. Amongst those also many activists from Finland, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy.

On October 12th the Family Spirit Walk for Moter Earth, co-sponsored by FOR MOTHER EARTH, ends at the Nevada Test Site. The 1200km walk started on August 9th at Los Alamos National Laboratory.