The USS Portland is a war ship equipped with missile systems, machine guns, and laser systems, and is designed to transport soldiers for invasions. The estimated cost of this ship is roughly $2 BILLION.
Veterans For Peace joined with many other organizations to protest the naming ceremony of the ship and to oppose senseless war in Portland's name on April 21st. Protestors marched to site of the commissioning ceremony. VFP Board Member Dan Shea spoke at the event.
From their statement:
"We reject a ship designed to kill being named after our city. We reject our city officials celebrating this event along with sponsors Raytheon and Northrop Grumman. We reject US militarism at home and imperialism abroad. As our media and politicians beat the drums of war with Syria, we must take a stand against bloodshed at the hands of the United States military."
To see coverage of the event:
As the Navy Christens a New Warship the USS Portland, Democratic Socialists Say It's Warmongering
Co-sponsors of this event include:
Portland Democratic Socialists of America, Veterans For Peace Chapter 72, Portland's Resistance, Portland Rising Tide, Portland Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Socialist Alternative -Portland, Queer Liberation Front, Oregon Students Empowered, Portland Jobs with Justice, Workers World Party - Portland