VIGILS AROUND THE WORLD CELEBRATE VANUNU'S RELEASE

From village squares to city streets, at military bases and Israeli embassies a-round the world, Mordechai's release was marked with vigils and protest.

Early April 21, four British campaigners donned Vanunu masks and " whistleblower" suits to gain entrance to the British military high command at RAF Northwood. A spokesperson for the group explained, " Mordechai Vanunu has probably done more to expose illegal WMD than anyone else in the world, and all without bombing a single Iraqi. Today, we acted to continue with the vital work started by Vanunu, and to expose the hypocrisy and secrecy that is government policy towards Britain's own WMD."

The four and a supporter outside were later arrested.

Vigils were also held in Glasgow, Edinburgh, outside Shepton Mallet Prison in Sommerset, Camden, Birmingham, Menwith Hill Spy Base, Salisbury, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol.

The weekly vigil in London concluded over a decade of vigils near the Israeli Embassy with a celebration on April 24.

Across the Irish Sea, Dublin Catholic Workers stood overnight in the rain with a banner tribute to the peace hero, outside Israel's embassy.

In Makati City, Philippines, members of Filipino Families for Nuclear Disarmament unfurled a banner that read "Mabuhay Vanunu! No Nukes!" Mabuhay means Long Live! in Filipino. Also, the largest political party in the Phillipine Congress held its Earth Day celebrations with Vanunu as their rallying call. They later marched to the presidential palace to demand the Philippine president send a peacekeeping force not to Iraq but to Israel for Mordechai.

Elsewhere around the world, people turned out for events in Toronto, Vancouver, Lisbon, Rome, Wellington, and Sydney, Australia, at the church where Vanunu was baptized in 1986.

And in the United States, dozens converged at the Israeli consulates in Boston, New York, and Los Angeles, and at the Embassy in Washington D.C. Vigils also occurred in Detroit, San Francisco, Bethlehem (PA), Edina (MN), and Jackson (MS).

The monthly vigil at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. will continue until the restrictions are lifted and Mordechai is totally free. Contact Art, Colleen or Kathy for info at (202)882-9649.