R.I.P. Rick Springer: Anti-Nuke Activist, Reagan Assaulter, Former Humboldter

Anyone that knows this man, would never say anything negative about him. He was positive and so full of life, a man who had just been married and with an extraordinary resume of activism! Makes you really question if this was really a suicide? Not a chance! I had the honor to be a friend and a humanitarian with Rick during my HSU days leading up to the 100th monkey and after. I was right there with him organizing with many others for this most remarkable experience for the betterment of our country, that continued on the dedicated work of the global anti nuclear movement at the Nevada Nuclear Test site. Then, in 1996, the United Nations General Assembly led by the overwhelming support by almost every country, except for 8 member states, adopted the UN Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty(CTBT).

Rick Springer was a tremendous being that gave a lot of service to the bettering of our communities and country. To start he helped bring attention to the plight of indigenous people, namely the Shoshone people, the violation by the US government of the Ruby Treaty. In addition, it was his vision, with the support of other strong leaders throughout this country and abroad, that led to the gathering of thousands of people to the Nevada Nuclear Test Site, under the name of a famous book by Ken Keyes titled “The 100th Monkey” (which Rick introduced to me). This Nonviolent campaign started in Las Vegas where we camped out for a few days, which led into a big protest at the DOE, first (ironically they had an office that happened to cross our path by pure circumstance), and then onward for a 5 day, 65 mile mass walk to the Nevada Nuclear Test Site. Upon arrival and with the permission of The Shoshone Tribe to be on their land, was one of, if not, the first solar powered stage with dozens of well respected international speakers, (a few renowned activists from Kazakhstan who supported us and pleaded, that the two superpowers, the US and USSR, would sign a treaty banning nuclear testing), and musical artists namely Sha Na Na (who were in Las Vegas at the time and just showed up to play in support), X, Mary’s Danish, and Michelle Shocked to name a few, followed by a direct anti- nuclear testing nonviolent action at the Nevada Test site in conjunction with Earth Day 1992.

If you knew the significance of a golden eagle statue being given to Ronald Reagan by the National Association of Broadcasters, you might think differently. The golden eagle is a sacred symbol in native american culture and many tribes refer to the eagle as an earthly incarnation of the great Thunderbird spirit, along with the hypocrisy of genocide and violations to the Indigenous Peoples. At that very time people were also gathered at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site to try and stop the US DOE from exploding another nuclear bomb on our own soil. People’s lives were endangered and this in my opinion should’ve been covered by the news media. But, as is for the most part, was censored like everything else. The fact that this country has detonated or bombed our own nation with more than 1000 nuclear warheads in the name of testing is excessive and senseless. During the Ronald Reagan administration many were. During this time as well, people were duped as was I as a young kid. We were told that Russia had more advanced and more nuclear warheads in their arsenal than us, the USA, (only later on was the truth revealed), and that Russia was an imminent threat (over exaggerated). As a kid, it was frightening to undergo nuclear drills in school much like an earthquake drill where you get under your desk.

My question is “If you know one bomb works what is the point of testing more?” So some people can earn a living and others can get rich? Can’t we find some more useful way to use taxpayer money and create jobs that benefit the people of this country. In addition, all the atrocities associated with nuclear testing, that to this day, the effects of, still plague our nation. Whether the military in the 50s and 60s who were exposed to the heavy radiation, along with the tourists who would travel to Las Vegas for an atomic haircut or atomic beverage and watch nuclear bombs being detonated, the result has been the suffering of many people. To this day, the effects of nuclear testing in Mercury Nevada curse many communities surrounding the area leading up into parts of Utah and down into CA.

RIP Rick, thank you for all of your service. If you read this far than read the “100th Monkey” by Ken Keyes and Rick’s book, to learn and be empowered some much more, as I have been.