Five nuclear abolition activists arrested at General Dynamics/Electric Boat

Posted on March 4, 2024

Photo by Bill Ofenloch

At 6 a.m. on March 4, 20 anti-nuclear activists brought banners and 27 life-size images of Robert Oppenheimer to block the main entrance gates at the General Dynamics Electric Boat facility in New London, Connecticut, where the Columbia class nuclear submarines are being designed and constructed. Some of the banners read: “Don’t be a ‘Destroyer of Worlds’ – Stop the Columbia Sub”. The aim of the demonstrators was to bring attention to a new nuclear arms race which is now heating up between the nuclear superpowers in violation of international arms control treaties. They also were protesting the fact that an Ohio class Trident submarine, built at Electric Boat, has been deployed in the Mediterranean Sea to enforce Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Scott Schaeffer-Duffy said, “Especially now that the movie Oppenheimer is up for 13 Academy Awards this weekend, we want to remind the scientists and engineers of Electric Boat not to repeat the nuclear sins that Oppenheimer regretted for the rest of his life.”
Jackie Allen-Doucot, a resident of New London, said, “We come here in the spirit of the 1943 anti-war and anti-Nazi German activist movement called the White Rose to say no to the evil conducted by our government.”
This is the leaflet that was distributed at the action: New London Leaflet
The five who were arrested are affiliated with the Catholic Worker movement, which has been serving the poor and promoting peace and justice since 1933. Charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct, their first court appearance is on March 15.
They are:
Jackie Allen-Doucot, New London, CT
Ellen Grady, Ithaca, NY
Frank Kartheiser, Worcester, MA
Mark Scibilia-Carver, Trumansburg, NY
Scott Schaeffer-Duffy, Worcester, MA
 
NEW LONDON POLICE DEPARTMENT MEDIA RELEASE:
Incident Type: Trespass
Incident Location:
Electric Boat, 50 Pequot Ave., New London, CT
Incident Date / Time:
3/4/24 @ approx. 5:54 a.m.
Investigation Status: ARRESTS MADE
Summary:
On Monday, 3/4/2024, at approx. 5:54 a.m., New London Police responded to reports of multiple people blocking the driveway entrances in protest at the Electric Boat property. It was determined that the individuals were blocking and preventing free passage of the vehicles attempting to enter the property. Those involved were subsequently taken into custody without further incident.
The individuals stood behind connected life sized wooden cut outs of J. Robert Oppenheimer to block the driveway entrances during this incident.
The following individuals were arrested:
Ellen Grady
Jaqueline Allen
Scott Scaeffer-Duffy
Mark Scibila-Carver
Frank Kartheiser
All of the aforementioned individuals were charged with the following:
Trespass 1st Degree
Disorderly Conduct
All of the aforementioned individuals were released on non-surety bonds with a Court date at G.A. 10 in New London of 03/15/2024.
IMPORTANT: All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a Court of Law. For final disposition(s), you may contact the local court.

Photo by Bill Ofenloch