Local Teens Ask Honeywell to Withdraw from Iran

While many teenage girls are spending their summers lounging on the beach, Millburn High School rising senior Danielle Flaum is spending the so-called "lazy days of summer" being anything but lazy.

The teen founder of No Nukes For Iran is more likely to be found rallying outside of Honeywell's Morristown offices, encouraging the company to withdraw from all business operations in Iran.

Asked about her inspiration, she said, "I can't stop. I want to keep going. I enjoy educating people and making people aware. I love that when I'm telling people about this issue, I can see their faces change. This is not a chore to me, this is something that I am passionate about and I care about."

In explaining the issue, No Nukes for Iran released this statement:

"Iran continues to defy the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations in their attempts to monitor its nuclear activities. A number of Arab states have warned that Iran's development of nuclear weapons poses a threat to Middle East stability and could provoke a regional nuclear arms race.  In short, the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran is a danger to world peace... Honeywell still continues to participate in projects to develop Iran's energy industry.  A Honeywell subsidiary, Universal Oil Products (UOP), is currently engaged in expanding and upgrading the Arak Refinery in Iran."

The group, joined by United Against Nuclear Iran and several community groups, rallied for the first time on June 21. About 70 supporters protested, holding signs that read "Stopping a nuclear Iran is more important than profit" and "Shame on Honeywell for supporting Iran."

On Thursday, they received a letter from Honeywell Senior Vice President and General Council Kate Adams.

"Honeywell complies with all laws in every country in which we operate and takes this matter very seriously," the letter reads. "Earlier this year the company voluntarily committed to accepting to new projects in Iran but we remain legally obligated to complete all our current contracts there."

"That's what we find as a problem," Flaum said. "It means they could be in another five, another 10 years, or however long. It's a little disappointing, but it won't stop our efforts." Inquiries into the length of the existing contracts have gone unanswered, she said.

The teen started the advocacy group, now comprised of 15-20 girls, in October 2009. She was looking to start a youth group and chose this issue because "Iran is a really big issue in my heart and it's a really big issue in the world, so I thought it was appropriate.

"It's unbelievable the support that we've gotten. It's just that everyone, no matter who it is, everyone can come out and support this. This is important to me, important to the world, and just that everyone can come out and support is amazing to me."

The group spent the greater part of the year spreading awareness and educating people on the issue. They hosted a workshop at Columbia, and hope to be invited to do so again this year.

Honeywell is the first company they are targeting because, Flaum said, "Honeywell is literally in our backyard. I can't live in a state where this is happening."

Flaum encourages those who cannot participate in the rallies to write letters to Honeywell and its subsidiaries.

The next rally is scheduled for Wednesday at 1 p.m. Flaum said there will not be as many speakers, though she might make a statement about the purpose of the rally.

Basically, No Nukes For Iran has one goal. "We're hoping Honeywell will change their minds." The reasons are obvious for Flaum. "For world peace, Iran shouldn't have nuclear weapons," she said.