Table of Contents
- Introduction
- News, and Other Relevant Links
- Related Organizations and Resources
- Featured Resolutions
Port Townsend’s anti-nuclear activism has been shaped by its proximity to military sites housing nuclear weapons.
Port Townsend, Washington, a small town of around 10,500 residents, has a long history of anti-nuclear activism that has been shaped by its proximity to military sites housing large quantities of nuclear weapons. 40 miles south of the town is the Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, home to the world’s largest concentration of deployed nuclear weapons. It houses eight of the Navy’s fourteen Trident Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, a single one of which is estimated to carry around 80 nuclear warheads. Approximately 1,300 nuclear warheads are deployed on these submarines or stored at the Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific (SWFPAC) at the base, with the total explosive power equivalent to more than 14,000 Hiroshima bombs. The town is also located just across the Port Townsend Bay from Naval Magazine Indian Island, a key U.S. Navy munitions handling facility where Navy combat ships and command vessels, such as the Ohio-class missile submarines, regularly dock to load and unload munitions for U.S. military operations worldwide. The proximity of these sites to the town has driven residents’ strong commitment to addressing the threat of nuclear weapons, pursuing anti-nuclear activism, and raising awareness about nuclear proliferation.
An attempt to pass a resolution calling for the ban of nuclear weapons was made in October 2022 by Port Townsend resident and council member Frieda Fenn, but the text she introduced did not pass. However, in 2019, the town successfully passed Resolution 19-065, which states Port Townsend’s support of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). This marked a significant milestone in the town’s anti-nuclear activism, and was part of a broader movement in the Pacific Northwest where local groups and activists played a key role in organizing actions. In January 2021, when the TPNW was ratified into international law, Port Townsend declared January 22nd as a “joyous celebration” of the treaty’s passage, urging residents to ring bells at noon and send celebratory letters to local, state, and federal government officials.
Resolution 19-065 was in part inspired by a similar resolution introduced by Jefferson County Democrats in June 2019, which passed on September 19, 2019. Doug Milholland, a longtime peace activist and Quaker, was a leading contributor to Resolution 19-065. Milholland, known for his pacifist approach, also addressed public health committees to explain the impacts of nuclear weapons and the importance of the treaty before the resolution passed. His ongoing peace efforts, supported by his family in the area, include advocacy for de-escalation in Ukraine, diplomacy in Iran, and peace in the Middle East.
In September 2024, Milholland helped organize a visit of the Golden Rule, a historic peace vessel that first sailed in 1958 to protest U.S. nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands, to Port Townsend. Operated by Veterans for Peace, the Golden Rule put on several events during Port Townsend’s Wooden Boat Festival to raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons and promote peace, including talks, sail-bys of military sites, and tours of the vessel. As part of the visit, the Golden Rule also led a nonviolent, waterborne protest at the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine base in Hood Canal, Washington. The flotilla sailed along the Bangor waterfront, where Trident submarines are armed with nuclear warheads, to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This protest, marking the third year since the similar “Boats by Bangor” demonstration in 2016, was a powerful act of resistance against nuclear proliferation, calling for nuclear disarmament at the base, which is home to the largest concentration of deployed nuclear weapons in the world.
Port Townsend’s proximity to military sites has kept nuclear weapons at the forefront of local politics, ensuring that anti-nuclear activism remains a key part of the town’s civic life. Peace demonstrations often take place near the water by Indian Island, such as at Haller Fountain or Pope Marine Park. These actions are sometimes combined with protests about climate change and international conflict. Port Townsend is notable not only because of its unique position near military sites, but as an example of a small town passing significant resolutions for nuclear disarmament, inspiring others to follow suit.
News, and Other Relevant Links
Professor researches PT foreign policy resolutions
The Leader (2024)
Port Townsend City Council passes resolution to ban nuclear weapons
Peninsula Daily News (2019)
Activists Blockade Trident Nuclear Submarine/Weapons Base for Mother’s Day
Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action (2023)
Port Townsend man celebrates weapons treaty
Peninsula Daily News (2021)
Related Organizations and Resources
Featured Resolutions
Public Meeting Summaries
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution 19-065: Calling for the United States to Negotiate the Worldwide Elimination of all Nuclear Weapons
July 15, 2019
The resolution calls for the United States to engage in good faith negotiations toward the global elimination of all nuclear weapons, emphasizing the catastrophic health and humanitarian consequences of their use. It references the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the International Court of Justice’s call for negotiations in good faith, and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), adopted in 2017. The resolution urges the U.S. to establish a timeline for reducing nuclear arsenals and to take steps toward de-escalating the threat of nuclear war. It also encourages forwarding this resolution to U.S. representatives, including Derek Kilmer, Senators Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell, and President Donald Trump, to encourage prioritizing nuclear disarmament efforts.
RESOLUTIONS
Jefferson County Resolution: Calling for the United States to sign the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
June 2019
Similarly to Resolution 19-065, this calls for the United States to take immediate action toward the global elimination of nuclear weapons due to their catastrophic health, humanitarian, environmental, and legal consequences. The resolution highlights the U.S’s legally binding commitment to negotiate the total elimination of nuclear arsenals through the NPT, as affirmed by the International Court of Justice and the commitment made by nuclear-weapon states in 2000. It also references the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which makes it illegal to develop, possess, or use nuclear weapons, urging the U.S. to sign the treaty and invite other nuclear nations to join. Additionally, the resolution calls for measures to reduce the risk of nuclear conflict, including renouncing the first use of nuclear weapons in response to any conflict, ending the president’s sole authority to launch an attack, removing nuclear weapons from hair-trigger alert, canceling plans to replace nuclear arsenals, and promoting diplomacy to ease global tensions.
RESOLUTIONS
2021 Proclamation
The proclamation calls for the city of Port Townsend to declare January 22, 2021 as a day of celebration in solidarity with nations supporting the TPNW, encourages citizens to ring bells at noon, and urges elected officials to support the treaty’s passage in the U.S. It also acknowledges Port Townsend’s previous passage of Resolution 19-065 and continues to urge the United States to join the TPNW.
PUBLIC MEETING SUMMARIES
City Council Meeting ON Resolution 19-065
JULY 15, 2019
Public Meeting Summary
(1:44:20) Heidi Greenwood introduced the resolution, noting that it “speaks for itself” and thanked Jefferson County for their input. She mentioned that the resolution text borrowed ideas from Jefferson County’s version, though it is not an exact copy. The format is substantially the same, and Jefferson County’s resolution was passed on June 3rd. There were no questions from the council.
(1:45:34) Doug Milholland expressed gratitude for the council’s consideration of the resolution, emphasizing that it represents more than just eliminating the financial waste of nuclear weapons, as, if used, they could cost countless lives. He highlighted that this resolution could help redirect scientific, technological, and engineering efforts toward more constructive purposes, stating, “Let’s say yes to life.” Milholland urged the council to reconsider the importance of shifting toward a sustainable model, noting that scientists are currently focused on developing weapons of mass destruction under the U.S. military.
Milholland highlighted opportunities for overlap between these scientists’ skill sets and initiatives like the Green New Deal. He referenced a statement titled “Warheads to Windmills” by T. Milne Wallace, which outlines how the 139,000 civilian jobs currently tied to the military-industrial complex and nuclear weapons industry could be redirected to support renewable energy and technology. The renewable energy sector is projected to require 7.9 million jobs, demonstrating the potential of reallocating the same funding and intent currently devoted to the military-industrial complex to sustainable energy initiatives.
He described Port Townsend as a small but meaningful waypoint in a national movement for change, encouraging others in the U.S. to follow, as “we the people still have power in the government model our ancestors created.”
(1:48:54) Peter von Christierson voiced his support for the resolution, echoing many of Doug Milholland’s points. He highlighted safety as a major concern, noting the precarious safety of the world, with some global leaders making irrational decisions that heighten this danger. He pointed out the enormous expense—$70 billion annually—that the U.S. allocates to maintain and develop its nuclear capabilities.
von Christierson also referenced unresolved nuclear accidents in Russia and Japan [Chernobyl and Fukushima], both of which continue to emit radioactive material. He emphasized the climate risks posed by potential nuclear accidents and the lasting challenge of managing nuclear waste, citing the Hanford Site, which has been an issue for 70 years without resolution. Even decommissioned nuclear plants present ongoing waste management challenges, he noted. He concluded by urging the council to pass the resolution.
(1:52:00) Forest Shomer expressed strong support for the resolution, noting that while it may seem like a small action, Port Townsend has the potential to create ripple effects: “This is the key city—whatever happens here reverberates.” He remarked that communities increasingly look to each other for inspiration, which is why such initiatives are essential.
Shomer recalled a similar resolution in Port Townsend from 1998, which supported Nobel Prize winner Jody Williams’s campaign to end the use of cluster bombs in U.S. warfare. While that resolution faced challenges in passing in Port Townsend, he recognizes how attention on cluster bombs has lessened, and wonders if that resolution had an impact. Shomer emphasized the personal relevance of nuclear issues for Port Townsend, given its proximity to Indian Island and nuclear weapons, the presence of which are often neither confirmed nor denied. He invoked Buckminster Fuller’s idea of converting “killingry to livingry,” reflecting on the responsibility of investing resources in a future that prioritizes the well-being of future generations. He concluded by stressing the need for a dedicated community of nuclear scientists to manage these issues responsibly, acknowledging that nuclear technology’s legacy will extend far beyond the brief 200 years of its history so far.
(1:54:33) Daniel Milholland expressed pride in his father’s role as a peace activist within the community. He noted that out of all the efforts he has witnessed, this resolution is one the community can fully embrace, describing it as a noble cause. He emphasized that Port Townsend as a key city has the potential to inspire others, with people looking to it for leadership.
Milholland urged the council to rise to a “clarity and vision” that could position Port Townsend as a spokesperson for the broader Northwest. Given the city’s location, he saw this resolution as a powerful statement. He concluded with gratitude, thanking Doug Milholland for guiding the community in this direction.
(1:55:48) Mariah Lynn Nadeau shared her experience from 1986, when she participated in a 4,000-mile peace walk across the United States with her one-year-old child to promote nuclear disarmament education. Reflecting on this journey, she noted the dedication it required, saying, “When I look back, it seems just as unreal that I could do that—2,000 miles of walking with childcare at the age of 40—but what I learned is that if you take one step at a time in a consistent direction, it gets you somewhere.” She acknowledged that supporting the resolution might seem like a small action, like “just a bunch of liberals in an eco-cocoon in the Northwest saying we don’t like the idea of destroying the world.” However, she emphasized that each small step is important, and that these actions add up to create meaningful change.
(1:57:50) David Faber moved for approval, Pamela Adams seconded the motion.
(1:58:09) Michelle Sandoval thanked everyone for attending and shared a recent conversation with the new owner of a local newspaper. The owner had asked why the city passed a welcoming resolution (Resolution No. 17-014), noting that it wasn’t a sanctuary city ordinance. The owner questioned why such actions mattered, suggesting they meant nothing. Sandoval reflected on this question, explaining that leadership requires hope, optimism, and a clear vision of the desired reality.
She argued that elected officials should focus on “aspirational resolutions” and that she would much rather hear leadership that inspires, rather than “mean-spirited tweets.” While some might dismiss the resolution as insignificant, she emphasized that it could mean a great deal to others. Sandoval concluded by stating that the role of the council is to inspire the community with a vision of what the city and the world could be, not to just accept the status quo.
(2:00:38) Amy Howard briefly stated her support for the resolution, emphasizing that her vote in favor reflects the belief that her opinion matters for the public.
(2:00:50) Ariel Speser thanked Doug Milholland for attending the city council meetings and educating the community about the resolution process.
(2:01:08) Robert Gray expressed appreciation for Mariah Lynn Nadeau’s story about the peace walk, specifically highlighting the powerful message of taking one step at a time as a remarkable lesson.(2:01:20)
Pamela Adams also thanked Doug Milholland for his perseverance in advocating for the resolution, mentioning his work with the Board of Public Health where a similar resolution was passed. She resonated with the “one step at a time” concept, stating that without action, nothing changes. She also thanked Doug for attending the council meetings many times to help guide the discussion.
(2:02:18) Mayor Deborah Stinson thanked Doug Milholland for his initiative, noting that several hundred more people had signed a petition in support. She acknowledged the importance of taking steps toward change, emphasizing that this resolution was a significant action.
(2:03:05) Vote: The resolution was passed unanimously by a 7-0 vote.
Public Meeting Summary
(4:07) David Berrian highlighted that in just 10 days, on Friday, January 22nd, the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will become international law, with 50 countries having ratified it. This marks a historic milestone, as nuclear weapons are the only weapons of mass destruction not previously banned under international law. With the treaty’s entry into force, nuclear weapons can now be classified as prohibited weapons of mass destruction, like chemical and biological weapons. He proposed a resolution to make January 22nd a day of celebration for the treaty, encouraging all treaties to ring bells at noon and send celebratory letters to President Biden, Vice President Harris, and local senators and representatives to urge their support for joining the treaty. He urged the council to read and enact this proclamation.
(5:43) Lois Barnett thanked the meeting attendees for their support of the UN Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
(5:54) Peter von Christierson thanked everyone for supporting the nuclear ban treaty and expressed appreciation for their willingness to engage and speak publicly on the issue.
(6:20) Jeanie Murphy thanked the group for their efforts in supporting the implementation of the UN treaty banning nuclear weapons.
(9:30) City Manager John Mauro shared that he had discussed the nuclear treaty with Mayor Sandoval, who was absent from the meeting. He noted that no action could be taken that night due to her absence.