A Letter from Julia Butterfly Hill to U.C. President Designate Robert Dynes

Robert Dynes, President
The Regents of the University of California
Office of the Secretary
1111 Franklin Street, 12th Floor
Oakland, CA 94607-5200


Dear President Dynes,

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. My name is Julia Butterfly Hill. Although, I am most well known for having lived in an over 1,000 year-old Redwood tree for over two years, I am more than just someone concerned only about the fate of our world’s old-growth forests. I am concerned about the fate of our worlds.

I am concerned that a majority of the sources of our drinking water are polluted and that now, in many cases, even our very air is toxic to our health. I am concerned about the millions of children who go to bed hungry, and the statistical fact that it is more likely for a child of color to end up in prison than to get into college. And I am concerned that the United States is leading the world in manufacturing, stockpiling, and "disposing of" weapons of mass destruction.

I am appalled that the United States is the only country to have used nuclear weapons in war, yet we use the "threat" of other countries who never have as an excuse to continue manufacturing ever more of these death weapons.

I am angered that to this day nuclear "waste" is leaking and seeping from sites including Livermore and Los Alamos. I am angered that we continue to push forward with our destructive and devastating policies even though they violate Article VI of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty -- not to mention all levels of decency, morals, and ethics. I am angered that underground testing destroys land and human rights including the native rights of the Shoshone people where the Nevada Test Site is located.

There is unfortunately a very long, sad and tragic list of violations by the US Government and businesses against people, the planet, and future generations. As a democratic citizen and a global citizen, it is not only my right to be concerned, angry and appalled at these atrocities, it is also my responsibility to be so and to take action.

It is absolutely unconscionable for UC to be involved in any area of the planning, design, building or storage of weapons of mass destruction including nuclear, chemical, and/or biological weapons.

As an active citizen of conscience, I have two very clear and vital requests:

First, sponsor a series of objective and inclusive hearings on the issue, at least one on every campus. These forums must reach diverse constituencies, including students, faculty, and staff, as well as the larger community.

Second, STOP the University of California from ALL collaborations that develop or enable the development of weapons of Mass Destruction.

Thank you, President Dynes, for taking the time to read this letter. I look forward to hearing that you choose to take a true stand of leadership in this matter.

Sincerely,

Julia Butterfly Hill

P.S. I have a very personal connection to this issue. I was 5 years old, living across the river from Three Mile Island when it had a meltdown. I was later diagnosed with low-level radiation poisoning.