Inspired by Charles Perrow, Jay M. Gould and Helen Caldicott, Judith Evered shares her personal tragedy related to the 1957 explosion at Windscale Nuclear Power Plant in England. Her memoir recounts the courage, friendships and common ground that united activists throughout the country in planning and executing what is known as the 1981 blockade of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. With all engineering feats, we must take precautionary action when reasonable threats to human safety exist. The seismically active foundation on which Diablo is sited and the questionable safety measures surrounding nuclear power initiated the largest act of nonviolent civil disobedience in U.S. history. A large power corporation, Pacific Gas & Electric and the Nuclear Regulatory Committee conspired to keep the risks of Diablo hidden. Thankfully, an educated populace directed by the Abalone Alliance earnestly set out to prove PG&E and the NRC inadequate in their ability to safeguard against potential terrorist attacks. Land and sea ventures onto the power plant's property reveal disturbing vulnerabilities. Doctors, engineers, teachers, mothers, fathers, children and others were among the peaceful protestors who were not always greeted with the same nonviolent attitude. One almost feels like a part of the action, possibly being handcuffed, dragged and thrown into a detainment camp with Jackson Browne, protest organizers and the many members of colorfully named affinity groups. Police officers and national guardsmen were employed to keep the "bums off the street" as Ronald Reagan called them in 1970. Valuable strategies and tactics are shared with the reader in addition to a history that could easily pass with the generation. If civil disobedience has been shelved in an effort to keep a clear record, this book may counter that by enlivening one of the most democratic forms of assembly: unified nonviolent direct action- real democracy. The hope for peace and security is revived.
About the Author: West Australian born Judith Evered received a BA with honors from the University of West Australia and did research on accident proneness in children at Perth Children's Hospital. As a student, she played competitive tennis and crossed the Australian desert, Nullarbor, to play intervarsity and interstate hockey. In 1951, she moved to London and continued to live communally while at the Women's International Crosby Hall. She met American, German, Finish and other folk as she explored Europe and interviewed for public opinion around the English countryside. After enrolling in the University of London's School of Economics, she met her future husband Roger Evered. In 1961, Roger accepted a research teaching position at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and the family moved to the U.S. In 1963, they relocated to Newport Beach, California when Roger took a job in Long Beach. At this time, Judith co-led a course entitled developing personal potential through the UCLA extension and studied practical media production at Long Beach Community College as well as early childhood development at Orange Coast College. After moving to Santa Barabra, Judith completed an MA in confluent education at UCSB. She has been involved in community organizing for peace and freedom since the early 1970's and participated in marches for peace and justice in several U.S. cities. As a member of the Isla Vista Recreation and Park Board for three terms, she helped procure $1 million for new parks in Isla Vista. She also initiated the non-profit organization POISE (People for Open, Informal Self -directed Education) with a group of parents who petitioned the Goleta School Board to begin an open classroom. Judith has performed in street theater as Judge Judy in a trial of George Bush for murder and other related crimes. The 80 jurists formed by the audience unanimously voted him guilty. Judith, a psychologist and educator by nature has a strong sense of solidarity with the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, the Mothers for Peace and the Vandenberg Action Coalition. Sustainability is close to Judith's heart. She is qualified to teach Permaculture and enjoys sharing information for healthy habits, exercise and eating locally grown, organic foods. Her strength and passion will be forever in the memories of those fortunate enough to have made her acquaintance. She is blessed with three sons, their wives, five granddaughters and one grandson.