On the anniversary of the Gods of Metal Plowshares action, several people positioned themselves with banners outside one of the gates admitting the public to the annual air show at Andrews Air Force Base.  “Would you celebrate Auschwitz with your children?” asked one sign.

Others went inside to witness the idolatry of armaments and vigil for peace in front of the B-52 and B-1B bombers, now roped off from public inspection due to the Plowshares action there last year.  Six people unfurled banners reading “Stop It!  Bombing Iraq and Yugoslavia!” and “Either Jesus is a Liar or War is Never Necessary.”  Airmen quickly surrounded the six, ripped the banners from their hands and arrested them.  Also arrested was a nearby man wearing a Veterans for Peace t-shirt who witnessed the arrests and was narrating the scene into a personal tape recorder.  Seven people, including parole violators Susan Crane and Philip Berrigan, were charged with trespass and failure to obey an officer.  They were given notice of a permanent ban and bar from Andrews AFB and all of its satellites, (which they were told meant any military facility!) and escorted from the base after the show was over.  The seven have still not been notified of a court date on the charges.

For more information, contact Jonah House, 1301 Moreland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21216, (410)233-6238.