May 2017
IN THIS E-BULLETIN
DIE-IN BLOCKED ROAD AT CALIFORNIA DRONE BASE
BLOCKADES DELAY START OF NATO SUMMIT – 128 ARRESTED
PROTESTERS ARRESTED TWO WEEKS IN A ROW AT DES MOINES DRONE COMMAND CENTER
MOTHER’S DAY OBSERVED WITH RESISTANCE AT TRIDENT BASE
CHELSEA MANNING FREED!
PLEASE SUPPORT IMPRISONED ANTI-NUCLEAR AND ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS – THE NUCLEAR RESISTER NEEDS YOU!
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Die-in blocked road at California drone base
On May 22 and 23, peace activists gathered at Beale Air Force Base in California for their monthly anti-drone warfare protest. On the morning of the 23rd, Elliott Adams, Shirley Osgood, Mauro Oliveira and Michael Kerr moved traffic cones so that they blocked the roadway, and then laid down across the road. One large truck drove down the shoulder of the road past all of the stopped traffic, and came to a halt just a foot and a half from Elliott Adams’ legs. The driver started screaming and swearing, revving his motor, honking his horn and threatening to drive over the protester’s legs. Other protesters came to stand in front of the truck. After military personnel were redirected to another gate, the four activists moved out of the way and allowed the contractors to enter. They then walked onto the base and were arrested.
Read more here.
Blockades delay start of NATO Summit – 128 arrested
A broad international coalition of peace activists, environmentalists, anti-globalists, and more were involved in a month of preparation and action for the NATO summit in Brussels at the end of May. An estimated 24,000 people took part in the “Trump Not Welcome” and No to NATO, No to War march on Wednesday, May 24. On the afternoon of Thursday, May 25, more than 150 people joined actions to disrupt the arrival of NATO delegates at the alliance’s new headquarters for the summit. Greenpeace activists scaled a construction crane nearby and hung a large banner simply declaring “#RESIST”. Others occupied highway sign platforms and hung protest banners over the road that Trump and other leaders would travel. Police had to block the road for two hours while dislodging and arresting 37 activists, while the summit program was briefly delayed. About a hundred people occupied the major intersection by the headquarters. There were a total of 128 arrests.
Read more here.
Protesters arrested two weeks in a row at Des Moines drone command center
Veterans for Peace, Catholic Workers and other peace activists have been holding a daily peace vigil at the entrance of the Iowa Air National Guard 132nd Drone Command Center in Des Moines. On Saturday, May 20, Armed Forces Day and the 9th day of the continuous vigil, a dozen activists shared reflections in front of the entrance gate, which had been closed earlier by National Guard security. After awhile, the group was warned that they needed to leave Air National Guard property or they would be arrested. Frank Cordaro remained at the gate and was taken to the Des Moines police station, where he was given a written citation and released with a May 30 court date. On May 30, he pled guilty and began a two day jail sentence.
The following Saturday, May 27, on the 16th day of the continuous vigil, members of Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines Veterans for Peace led a “Say NO to Iowa Reaper Drones” demonstration. Des Moines Catholic Worker and Veterans for Peace member Al Burney blocked the main entrance to the Command Center. He was arrested and taken onto the base for processing. Burney was cited for trespass and released with a court date.
Read more here.
Mother’s Day observed with resistance at Trident base
On May 13, the day before Mother’s Day, activists honored the peace origins of the holiday with a demonstration against Trident nuclear weapons at the Bangor submarine base. Fourteen demonstrators attempted to block the main highway entrance into the base and were removed and cited by the Washington State Patrol. First, six of them carried a large banner into the highway which read, “The Earth is Our Mother – Treat Her With Respect”. Later, eight additional demonstrators entered the highway with a full-size replica of a Trident D-5 missile. All 14 were charged with being “pedestrians on roadway” and released within an hour.
The Trident submarine base at Bangor, just 20 miles from Seattle, is home to the largest concentration of deployed nuclear weapons in the U.S.
Read more here.
Chelsea Manning freed!
Freedom!!! On Wednesday, May 17, Army whistleblower Chelsea Manning was released from military prison after 2,545 days behind bars. She served seven years of a 35-year sentence after having her sentence commuted by Barack Obama in his final days as president.
Read more here.
Please support imprisoned anti-nuclear and anti-war activists – The Nuclear Resister needs YOU!
The Nuclear Resister is a bare bones operation that depends on grassroots support to chronicle anti-war and anti-war resistance, and support the women and men in prison for their acts of conscience. We need your help to continue this work – please read more here!! Or go directly here to make a secure online donation and find information about how to send a check. Each and every donation, large or small, will be gratefully received – thank you!