Friday, January 24, 2014

Sumas Border Protest against Amchitka Nuclear Testing 1972 Part 1

Photographs taken by U.S. Port Director Burl Brooks Beane .  The picture is to the north towards the Huntington Border Station.

Who remembers the protesters that blocked the border crossing in 1972?   I seem to remember it being in the summer.   I remember my parents instructing me to stay in the house that day because there was a fear that the protest could turn violent.  My father, Burl Beane, who was Port Director at the Customs office was totally disgusted when a school teacher from Canada brought his students to the demonstration as a learning experience.  There was concern that the situation was going to be volatile and Burl felt that it was irresponsible of a school teacher to put his students in harm way.

The protesters were demonstrating against the Amchitka nuclear testing in Alaska that took place from 1971 - 1972. 



4 comments:

  1. I was only about 6 months old. I don't remember this story from Grandpa (Burl Beane)... How long did it last did he say?

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    1. According to the newspaper article in the next posting, they started about noon and stayed till about 6:00 p.m. It seems that they left for a short time about 3:30 but then returned.

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  2. It seems strange that there was so little gunfire/injuries. It was a quiet enough protest by the Canadians expressing their displeasure. I did wonder, though if the protest did have an positive impact and if the protest did continue into the next day?

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    1. I don't remember if there was anymore border protest over the nuclear testing. There were demonstrations held in Vancouver and other cities but I am not certain when they were.

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