Gilchrist on far left, Adams on crutches second to right. (Photo by Guarionex Delgado)
Elliott Adams, past National President of Veterans For Peace and international peace activist, was arrested during a nonviolent anti-drone action at Beale Air Force Base on Tuesday, April 1. Adams lives in New York and is currently on a nationwide tour, speaking out about the importance of banning drone attacks, stopping war, and building a culture of peace. He has also been conducting Unarmed Peacekeeping Skills Training and Strategy Sessions around the country with the Meta Peace Team, whose goal is “pursuing peace through active nonviolence.”
Also arrested was Adam’s friend and fellow Veteran for Peace member Richard Gilchrist. Gilchrist served in the army in Vietnam and has also traveled around the country speaking and taking action for peace.
Adams and Gilchrist walked across a line onto base property and were detained for an hour. Other demonstrators, including several other members of Veterans for Peace, stood in a downpour until the two were released. Later that evening Adams spoke in Grass Valley about “International Law, Drone Warfare, and Strategies for Peace.”
Beale is home of the Global Hawk Drone, a surveillance drone that demonstrators claim helps in the targeting of Predator and Reaper armed drones. Increasing numbers of demonstrators have been arrested at Beale over the past several months. On March 5, Ash Wednesday, arrests included several members of the clergy. Other actions are scheduled for later this month.
Find out more about Beale actions at OccupyBealeAir Force Base FaceBook Page.