Rainbow Warrior sets sail for justice

The Rainbow Warrior has arrived in the Marshall Islands to raise awareness about the ongoing nuclear and climate justice issues.

The visit coincides with the 40th anniversary of the evacuation of the Rongelap Atoll.

The iconic Greenpeace ship is on a six-week journey across the Pacific nation, where it aims to draw attention to the long-lasting effects of nuclear testing carried out by the United States in the region.

As the ship approached the Marshalls, it was welcomed by traditional canoes and local singing and dancing, highlighting the deep connection between Greenpeace and the people of the Marshall Islands.

The history behind the visit is significant. In 1985, members of the Greenpeace crew helped evacuate over 300 residents from the Rongelap Atoll after a dangerous nuclear fallout made their homeland unlivable, a consequence of the US-operation Castle Bravo test.

Upon its arrival in Majuro on Tuesday, the Rainbow Warrior receives a blessing from the Council of Iroij, the traditional leaders of the Islands.

Several local officials, including Senator Hilton Kendall and Bremity Lakjohn, spoke at the event and discussed the importance of the occasion.

Bunny McDiarmid, a New Zealand activist who was part of the crew during the vessel's previous visit to the Marshall Islands, is among those on board.

Greenpeace representative Shiva Gounden says they are grateful for the warm welcome from the local communities. “We are also humbled to be welcomed back by the Marshallese government and community with such kindness and generosity of spirit," he says.

The Rainbow Warrior is escorted to Majuro port. Photo/Bianca Vitale/Greenpeace

The Rainbow Warrior will travel to several key locations in the coming weeks, including Mejatto, Enewetak, and Bikini.

The crew will conduct important research to check for radiation and hear first-hand accounts from residents about how nuclear testing and climate change have affected their lives.

Jobod Silk, a young climate activist, says Marshallese culture has faced many challenges throughout its history, from colonisation to environmental hardships.

Marshallese women sing and perform cultural songs at the Rainbow Warrior welcome ceremony in Majuro. Photo/Bianca Vitale/Greenpeace

Silk also emphasises the locals' resilience. “Our people continue to show resilience. Liok tut bok: as the roots of the Pandanus bury deep into the soil, so must we be firm in our love for our culture.”

Dr Rianne Teule from Greenpeace highlights the research team's intention to support the Marshallese community in understanding the deep impacts of past nuclear tests.

She says their findings can assist in ongoing legal efforts for reparations due to the harm caused by those tests.

Seventy-one years ago, on Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, a nuclear bomb codenamed “Castle Bravo”, explodes. Photo/US State Department

The mission aims to empower the Marshallese people and advocate for justice for past nuclear testing and today's climate challenges.

The arrival of the Rainbow Warrior also marks the 14th anniversary of the Fukushima disaster in Japan, reminding many that while some residents have returned home, other areas remain unsafe due to contamination.

Watch James Nokise talk about the Rainbow Warrior.