Lasting Anti-Trident Sentiments
The spirited efforts of the Pacific Life Community and Ground Zero Center to challenge the Trident missiles in Bangor through emphasis of the global threat of Trident, morally justified acts of protest, and religious influence reflect morality's key role in Cold War activism. The actions of these groups tied into other contemporary activist movements and raised awareness of the Trident program, leading to protests against the weapon all across the United States.
The activists achieved limited success in their efforts to limit the Trident-II's presence in Washington State. "White Train" shipments of Trident missiles into Bangor ceased in 1986 after the federal government's numerous attempts to prosecute the protesters failed. Instead, the missiles were moved by truck to avoid public scrutiny, but even this method of transportation was heavily protested.
However, despite the protesters' best efforts, they were unsuccessful in convincing the federal government or Navy to completely remove Trident missiles and submarines from Bangor. The Navy continued to berth its ballistic missile submarines, and maintain stockpiles of Trident-II missiles, for the remaining duration of the Cold War for nuclear deterrence. Even today, over two decades after the Soviet dissolution in 1991, submarines continue to pass through the Puget Sound to their homeport in Bangor on patrol, armed to the teeth with modernized Trident-II missiles.
Undeterred, modern-day activists have followed in the footsteps of their Cold War predecessors; protesting both the dangers and immorality of these weapon systems. The Ground Zero Center and a re-established Pacific Life Community continue to demonstrate against the Trident and other nuclear weapons at the gates of Bangor. Motivated by the same beliefs of action, morality, and spirituality, these new generations of activists continue the struggle against Cold War weapons of war for a safer, more peaceful future.
