Historic 'peace boat' sails into NJ to promote nuclear disarmament, environmental justice
North Jerseyans are used to seeing boats ply the Hudson River as the weather heats up. But the region's latest nautical visitor will come with a unique message.
The historic Golden Rule sailboat and its crew will be traveling on North Jersey waterways this weekend to call for nuclear disarmament and to highlight environmental injustice in this part of the state.
Where to see the Golden Rule
The 34-foot wooden boat will sail in the Passaic River hours before an event in Riverfront Park in Newark on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. to recognize its arrival in the area. Then, it will anchor near Liberty State Park in Jersey City, by the Liberation Monument, on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Golden Rule first gained attention in 1958 when four Quaker peace activists sailed the ship toward the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean to try to disrupt atmospheric nuclear weapons testing planned by the U.S. For the next five decades, the boat would take to the seas in protest. After sinking in 2010 during a Northern California gale, the Golden Rule was rebuilt by a group that included members of the nonprofit organization Veterans for Peace. Since last year, it's been on a tour of the eastern United States.
Its owners call the Golden Rule the world's first "peace boat" to attempt direct-action environmental protest, a forerunner of Greenpeace and other activist groups.
The visit this weekend will feature speakers, music and entertainment — with a potluck picnic at the Jersey City event — while focusing on current and future challenges to the environment in North Jersey and the dangers of nuclear weapons, organizers said.
On Sunday, a screening of the documentary "Making Waves: Rebirth of the Golden Rule" will be followed by a panel discussion along with a potluck dinner at the Assumption All Saints Parish Hall, at 344 Pacific Ave. in Jersey City, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event is free, but registration is required.
Golden Rule: Original protest ship sails into California harbor on nuclear peace mission
Kathy O'Leary, regional coordinator for Pax Christi New Jersey, a chapter of the international Catholic peace organization that is co-sponsoring this week's visit, said the boat has an important story for visitors.
"I hope they get the message that change is possible, to have hope," O'Leary said. "The most intransigent issue that we seemed to be facing in the '50s and '60s was nuclear weapons, and that's still around. The boat is a symbol that people can make a difference when they work together for a common cause."
Ricardo Kaulessar is a culture reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Atlantic Region How We Live team. For unlimited access to the most important news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com
Twitter: @ricardokaul
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Golden Rule peace boat visits North Jersey May 2023: where to see it
