Peace Group To Protest Sub Visiting Seafair

The addition of a Trident ballistic-missile submarine to the fleet visiting Seattle for the annual Seafair festival is sparking protests from anti-nuclear and peace groups.

The USS Ohio, based at Bangor on Hood Canal, is to arrive today as one of nine Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Seafair fleet.

Representatives of nine groups that have long opposed the Trident program said Monday they will greet the sub with a protest rally and vigil at Elliott Bay Park.

William Cate, retired president of the Church Council of Greater Seattle, called the Ohio “a symbol of death, of war and the continuing arms race.” Activists are particularly upset because the submarine is arriving on the 52nd anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, he said.

Seafair officials were unmoved by the protest. “We welcome all of the Navy ships to Seafair, and we welcome all of the sailors, including the sailors on the Ohio,” Seafair President Beth Wojick said Monday.

Mayor Norm Rice will participate in welcoming ceremonies for the ships, despite pressure from peace groups to seek the Ohio’s removal, Rice spokeswoman Rebecca Hale said.