4 October 2006

Bill - Campaigner

Why are you on this expedition?
I am on as a campaigner and US spokesperson. Given the impact that American markets have on this region and the presence of a sizeable fishing fleet flying the US flag, it's important to get the story about overfishing and illegal fishing in this part of the world to run in the States. America loves a scandal, and stories about how fish caught illegally end up on their plates at home should get their attention. I'm also on to help make the connection between this leg of the Defending our Oceans tour and the upcoming US leg, as well as help negotiate any situations that might arise with American authorities.

What are you looking forward to most in this campaign?
Addressing the issues of overfishing and illegal fishing head on from the front lines. Mostly I just see this stuff on the chalkboard in the planning room, in updates via email and on the evening news. Behind-the-scenes efforts are obviously critical to make our work happen, and I take great pride in my normal day-to-day roles. But it's nice to occasionally have the opportunity to be part of the signature elements of Greenpeace's work firsthand.

Have you been on a Greenpeace ship before?
Yep.

Oh, I guess you want more. I was on the Moby Dick in 1995 as part of the Great Lakes tour in the US. From the ship we launched an action against the Fermi Nuclear Power Plant in Monroe's MI, during which we scaled one of the cooling towers and hung a banner. I was one of the climbers.

Arctic Sunrise in 2000 as part of our west coast tour of the US, in the lead up to the first "Star Wars" action at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The Rainbow Warrior in 2001, as part of our east coast tour leading up to the organization's 30th anniversary celebration scheduled for New York City. Unfortunately, we were supposed to arrive in New York on September 11th. The hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers about three hours before we came within view. We ended up anchored offshore in sight of the skyline, a thick wall of black smoke where the twin towers had once stood. Eventually we were re-routed to Philadelphia.

How or why did you get involved with Greenpeace?
I started with Greenpeace right out of college. I was a political science major, and the decision to join the organization was the cumulative effect of several internships I did in various levels of government during my junior year of college. After seeing first hand the way government works, I started looking for a better way to help make a difference. The international aspect of Greenpeace was a big part of the draw, as well as the organization's signature element of creative confrontation. After studying Gandhi, I was drawn to being the change I want to see in this world. I have now been with Greenpeace for over 18 years.

What was your best experience with Greenpeace so far?
I have two. One was as a climber on the Sears Tower in Chicago. The action took place on December 2nd, 1992, the 50th anniversary of the first sustained nuclear reaction. We climbed the skyscraper's window washing tracks and hung a large banner that read "End the 50 Year Nightmare: Nuclear Free Future Now", with an image of a nuclear blast plume in the shape of a skull. Of course, the forefathers of this technology had to usher in the nuclear age in December in Chicago, as opposed to, say, March in the Bahamas. Even from the grave, they were making our lives difficult.

The second was the aforementioned climb of the nuclear cooling tower. We had to jump a fence at 3:00 am, run across an open field to the base of the tower with all our gear and cram into a small dark corner when a security guard came within 20 feet of our hiding place. Then I had to lead climb 70 feet of rickety, overhanging mesh to a platform and navigate across the moat of cooling water to the base of the ladder leading to the top of the 400-foot tower. The action took place on the 50th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki, and was part of the global campaign to tie together all things nuclear - weapons, testing and power. The action preceded the Rainbow Warrior's occupation of the test site in the South Pacific during France's renewed underground testing program.

What do you like most about your work on the ship?
In addition to the fact that our ships represent the magic of Greenpeace, and we tend to be at our best when we're campaigning on the water, I'd say that working with Greenpeace colleagues from over 20 different countries is what I like most.

And least?
Being away from my family. I'm missing my daughter's soccer season, and I miss throwing the football in the backyard with my son. Additionally, it's hard to follow the baseball playoffs back in the States from here.

If you had three free wishes, what would those be?
World peace, an end to environmental problems and a run of World Series championships for the Boston Red Sox.

What is your favourite place on the ship?
The back deck. It provides a beautiful view of the vast, deep blue ocean, and it's a great place to see the stars.

If you were not on the Esperanza at this moment where would you probably be instead and what would you be doing?
I'd be back at work in the US Greenpeace office, probably in a planning meeting or writing a board report.

What personal connection do you have to the ocean (if any)?
I have a real affinity with the ocean, although where I live in Washington, DC isn't particularly close to one. My family and I go to the Outer Banks of North Carolina every year for our annual holiday, with lots of time spent on the sand and in the waves. Although I'm not particularly good at it, I love to surf. I've always been drawn to sports that involve working with elements of nature.

Anything else you'd like to say?
Every day I work for Greenpeace is a privilege not to be taken for granted. To be able to represent our supporters around the world, as well as the hopes and dreams of those we inspire, is an honor that is empowering and humbling for me personally.

   

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Comments

Posted by: jmil at October 16, 2006 4:51 PM

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