June 2017
IN THIS E-BULLETIN
NINETEEN NUCLEAR ABOLITIONISTS BLOCKADE U.S. MISSION TO THE U.N.
VETERANS ARRESTED AT SENATE HEARING OF “TORTURE MEMO” AUTHOR
FOUR DRONE PROTESTERS ARRESTED AT VOLK FIELD
RESISTANCE ACTIONS CONTINUE AT DES MOINES DRONE COMMAND CENTER
PLEASE SUPPORT IMPRISONED ANTI-NUCLEAR AND ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS – THE NUCLEAR RESISTER NEEDS YOU!
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Nineteen nuclear abolitionists blockade U.S. Mission to the U.N.
On June 19, fifty people marched to the U.S. Mission to the U.N. in New York City after gathering at the nearby Isaiah Wall for a nuclear disarmament vigil. Nineteen of the activists blocked the doors, in protest of the U.S. decision to boycott negotiations on a nuclear weapons ban treaty. While the group chanted “U.S. join the talks, ban the bomb,” the blockaders were soon arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. They were released at 5 p.m. with an August 24 arraignment date. Those arrested are members of the New York City Catholic Worker, New York City War Resisters League and other groups.
Read more here.
Veterans arrested at Senate hearing of “Torture Memo” author
At the June 28 Senate confirmation hearing for Steven Bradbury as general counsel for the Commerce, Science and Transportation Department, members of Veterans for Peace and CODEPINK protested Bradbury for his authorship of the “Torture Memos” under the Bush administration. Three members of Veterans for Peace were arrested for speaking out at the hearing: Tarak Kauff, Ken Ashe and Ellen Barfield. All three veterans, in response to why they were protesting, affirmed that Bradbury should not hold any kind of position in the United States’ government and called on the senators to oppose his nomination.
“I disrupted the hearing for a man, Steven Bradbury, who should be on trial for war crimes,” said Tarak Kauff as he was pulled out of the hearing by police. “He sanctioned, condoned, and confirmed torture practices that were used by the Bush administration, practices that disgraced our country.”
Read more here.
Four drone protesters arrested at Volk Field
On June 27, members of the Wisconsin Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars went to Volk Field (site of training for the RQ-7 Shadow drone) to put up crime scene tape and to deliver an indictment for war crimes. When they met at a nearby park beforehand, county sheriffs came and arrested Brian Terrell, who had a pending warrant due to an unpaid fine from a previous protest arrest at the base. The rest of the group then processed to the gates of Volk Field, where ten deputies were waiting for them. After attempting to mark the gate with crime scene tape, Joy First, Fr. Jim Murphy and Phi Runkel walked onto the base and were arrested. They were later released from the Juneau County Jail with charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct. They have an initial August 9 court appearance. Brian Terrell spent the week in jail, and was released on Friday morning, June 30.
Read more here.
Resistance actions continue at Des Moines Drone Command Center
Four peace activists were arrested on Wednesday morning, June 28 after they chained themselves to three concrete blocks they placed in the road leading into a drone base in Des Moines, Iowa. The road was blocked for hours while fire crews cut through the concrete barriers. Jesse Horne, Spencer Kaaz, Jessica Reznicek and Ruby Montoya were charged with interference with official acts and obstructing a public way. Appearing in front of a jail judge after a night behind bars, they all pled guilty, were given fines and released.
The protest is part of a campaign started six weeks earlier by the Des Moines Catholic Worker and the Des Moines chapter of Veterans for Peace to bring attention to the mission of the Des Moines Drone Command Center. Activists have maintained a regular presence there, with multiple actions that have resulted in arrests and some jail time for repeat protester Frank Cordaro.
Read more here.
On Saturday, June 10, seven drone protesters gathered at the gate of the main entrance of the Des Moines, Iowa Drone Command Center. The gate had already been closed by Air National Guard security, who soon warned the activists that they had to leave or would be arrested. Al Burney and Mark Kenney were arrested when they refused to do so. When Frank Cordaro was leaving, a Des Moines police officer informed him that he was under arrest for violating his recently received “ban and bar” letter from the base.
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!