Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space BRUCE GAGNON BIO Bruce Gagnon is the Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space. He was a co-founder of the Global Network when it was created in 1992. Between 1983–1998 Bruce was the State Coordinator of the Florida Coalition for Peace & Justice and has worked on space issues for 24 years. In 1987 he organized the largest peace protest in Florida history when over 5,000 people marched on Cape Canaveral in opposition to the first flight test of the Trident II nuclear missile. He was the organizer of the Cancel Cassini Campaign (launched 72 pounds of plutonium into space in 1997) that drew enormous support and media coverage around the world and was featured on the TV program 60 Minutes. Project Censored (from Sonoma State University, CA) named a story on space weaponization by Bruce as the 8th Most Censored story in 1999. Again in 2005, Project Censored picked an article on space issues by Bruce as the 16th most censored story of the year. Bruce has traveled to and spoken in England, Germany, Mexico, Canada, France, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Japan, Australia, Scotland, Wales, Greece, India, and throughout the U.S. He has also spoken on many college campuses including: Loyola University, Drake University, Syracuse University, Cornell University, University of Michigan, Cal Poly State University, University of Pittsburgh, California Institute of Technology, University of Oregon, University of Alaska Anchorage, Marquette University, Brown University, Hunter College, University of Arkansas, University of Florida, Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia), and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (India). In 2003, Bruce was appointed by Dr. Helen Caldicott as a Senior Fellow at her Nuclear Policy Research Institute where he also serves on her Advisory Board. Bruce has been featured by artist Robert Shetterly in his collection of portraits and quotes entitled Americans Who Tell The Truth. In 2006 he was the recipient of the Dr. Benjamin Spock Peacemaker Award. Bruce has led campaigns in Gainesville, Florida and Brunswick, Maine around civil liberties and was successful in getting the Alachua County (FL) Commission to pass a resolution opposing the Patriot Act. P.O. Box 652 • Brunswick, Maine 04011 • (207) 443-9502 globalnet@mindspring.com • www.space4peace.org Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space Page two His articles have appeared in publications like: Earth Island Journal, National Catholic Reporter, Asia Times, Le Monde Diplomatique, Albuquerque Journal, Sekai Journal (Japan), CounterPunch, Space News, Z Magazine, and Canadian Dimension. Bruce also has a new book out in 2005 called Come Together Right Now: Organizing Stories from a Fading Empire. He is a member of the National Writers Union (UAW Local # 1981 AFL-CIO) and writes a popular blog called Organizing Notes. In 2003 Bruce co-produced a popular video entitled Arsenal of Hypocrisy that spells out U.S. plans for space domination. His latest video, shot in 2006, is entitled The Necessity of the Conversion of the Military Industrial Complex. Both videos have been extensively shown on Free Speech TV. He is also host of a cable TV show called This Issue that currently runs in eight Maine communities. (This show can also be seen from the GN’s website.) In 1968 Bruce was Vice-chair of the Okaloosa County (Florida) Young Republican Club while working on the Nixon campaign for president. Bruce is a Vietnam-era veteran and began his career by working for the United Farm Workers Union in Florida organizing fruit pickers. Bruce is an active member of Veterans for Peace. P.O. Box 652 • Brunswick, Maine 04011 • (207) 443-9502 globalnet@mindspring.com • www.space4peace.org