"Nonviolent Communities for a Nonviolent World"
Justice for Our Desert
October 6-8
Nevada Desert Experience invites you to join us for Justice For Our Desert October 6-8, 2023, a weekend event with a cultural happening in Las Vegas, an experience in the desert, and peaceful witnesses at Creech Air Force Base and the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS, formerly the Nevada Test Site). Both Creech and the NNSS are desecrations of the land, its people and other creatures in Nevada and represent a threat to all life on the planet.
Friday, October 6, Poetry and Music at The Center
Justice For Our Desert begins Friday evening, October 6 at 6:00 p.m. at The Center, 401 S. Maryland Parkway in Las Vegas. Local musicians and poets will perform and there will be an open mic for walk-ons. Food and drink will be served.
In the spirit of this year's theme, "Nonviolent Communities for a Nonviolent World," NDE is inviting activists from local organizations and communities to table and to make short presentations of their work and witness. Admission is by freewill donation. Walk-ins are welcome, but we would appreciate a heads up if you are coming!
In the spirit of this year's theme, "Nonviolent Communities for a Nonviolent World," NDE is inviting activists from local organizations and communities to table and to make short presentations of their work and witness. Admission is by freewill donation. Walk-ins are welcome, but we would appreciate a heads up if you are coming!
Saturday, October 7, Yoga at Corn Creek, Vigil at Creech AFB, Camping at the Goddess Temple
On Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m., a simple breakfast will be served at NDE's base at 1420 West Bartlett Avenue, Las Vegas, including introductions and a brief discussion of NDE's history, its mission and commitment to nonviolence.
At 10:00 a.m., we will meet at the Corn Creek Visitors' Center of The Desert National Wildlife Refuge, 16001 Corn Creek Road off Hwy 95, for a session of yoga and meditation. This will be followed by a picnic lunch and time to enjoy being in the desert.
At 3:00 p.m., we will meet in the parking lot in front of Terrible's casino and gas station in Indian Springs, 148 MacFarland Ave just up Hwy 95 from Las Vegas, to briefly witness a perpetual video loop celebrating nuclear testing and killing by drone in a crass commercial context. NDE activists will offer a brief counter narrative.
At 10:00 a.m., we will meet at the Corn Creek Visitors' Center of The Desert National Wildlife Refuge, 16001 Corn Creek Road off Hwy 95, for a session of yoga and meditation. This will be followed by a picnic lunch and time to enjoy being in the desert.
At 3:00 p.m., we will meet in the parking lot in front of Terrible's casino and gas station in Indian Springs, 148 MacFarland Ave just up Hwy 95 from Las Vegas, to briefly witness a perpetual video loop celebrating nuclear testing and killing by drone in a crass commercial context. NDE activists will offer a brief counter narrative.
At 3:30 p.m., we will gather at the old gate of Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, north of the main gate along Highway 95 for a vigil of prayer and song at the center of drone warfare and assassination for the U.S. military and the CIA. NDE began protesting there in 2009. The evidence is clear that war from a distance by remote control is an instrument of terror that exacts a horrific toll on civilians abroad and moral injury on troops at home.
In the evening, we will gather at the Temple of Goddess Spirituality, 28425 Hwy 95, in Cactus Springs where we will serve a simple supper at 6:00 p.m. and camp for the night. Camping conditions on the Temple grounds are simple, but sunset and sunrise in the desert are breathtaking and October nights are usually mild. NDE has some tents, pads and sleeping bags available to lend, please let us know. There may be limited indoor accommodations.
In the evening, we will gather at the Temple of Goddess Spirituality, 28425 Hwy 95, in Cactus Springs where we will serve a simple supper at 6:00 p.m. and camp for the night. Camping conditions on the Temple grounds are simple, but sunset and sunrise in the desert are breathtaking and October nights are usually mild. NDE has some tents, pads and sleeping bags available to lend, please let us know. There may be limited indoor accommodations.
Sunday, October 8, Sunrise at the Temple, Witness at NNSS and painting in the Tunnels
Sunrise, a ritual at the Temple of Goddess Spirituality, 28425 Hwy 95, in Cactus Springs followed by breakfast at 8:00 a.m.
At 10:00 a.m., Justice For Our Desert will gather at the gates of the NNSS for a short time of reflection and prayer and an opportunity to speak to police and representatives of the National Nuclear "Security" Administration who may be present. The NNSS, established on land stolen from the Western Shoshone nation, was the primary testing location of American nuclear devices from 1951 to 1992; 928 announced nuclear tests occurred there, making it the most bombed place on earth. Today it continues as the site of "subcritical" nuclear tests and other research for new nuclear bombs and for the "life extension" of old ones. NDE has witnessed for justice at the test site for more than 40 years.
At 10:00 a.m., Justice For Our Desert will gather at the gates of the NNSS for a short time of reflection and prayer and an opportunity to speak to police and representatives of the National Nuclear "Security" Administration who may be present. The NNSS, established on land stolen from the Western Shoshone nation, was the primary testing location of American nuclear devices from 1951 to 1992; 928 announced nuclear tests occurred there, making it the most bombed place on earth. Today it continues as the site of "subcritical" nuclear tests and other research for new nuclear bombs and for the "life extension" of old ones. NDE has witnessed for justice at the test site for more than 40 years.
In 2007, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office had determined that Peace Camp is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and that the graffiti scrawled on tunnels under the highway "possess high artistic values" deserving to be protected by law! NDE will provide paints, brushes and other materials for that Justice for our Desert can make it's contribution to history!
Justice for Our Desert 2023 Report
Read the Report or download it in PDF