GREG, KRISTIN, AND SAM IN PRISON BECAUSE THEY THREATENED MILITARY MORALE!

We sometimes ask ourselves what would we do if we were living in Nazi Germany. What would we do if we were living in a country where the occupying regime was committing unspeakable atrocities in which we were forced to be complicit either directly or indirectly? If it were obvious that we were living under such an occupying force, would we be more compelled to resist? Would we be more willing to turn to our God for strength and wisdom and would we be able to turn to each other for community and support?

On May 20, 2000, 3 fine, loving human beings, recognizing the reality that our country is under siege by a force more lethal than Hitler's Germany, went to Andrews Air Force Base open house air show. Sam Hochstetler and Greg Boertje-Obed stood in front of a B52 holding a banner with the simple but prophetic message "swords into plowshares." Kristin Betts handed out leaflets with only 6 words: "Weapons of destruction. Nothing to celebrate." Within moments they were arrested for trespassing.

On October 23, 2000, Kristin, Sam and Greg appeared before Magistrate Day at the district court on base. In more than 3 hours of testimony by 6 witnesses, the prosecutor built his case around the accusations that the 3 were participating in a political protest with a message intended to deteriorate the military's morale thereby hindering them from carrying out their mission of defending the US in the event of war.

The defendants cross examined the government witnesses by asking them to define a political protest. Their response - what you people were doing. The defendants asked if chaplains were allowed on base and were they allowed to read from the Bible. They asked if the messages of the Bible were considered threatening to the morale of the military. They asked the government witnesses if they recognized the source of the message on the banner. They did not, so Sam read from Isaiah 2:4.

They each took their turn in testifying. They spoke about hoping to warn people of our country's course of destruction, of hoping to raise questions and dialogue, of following conscience and answering to a higher authority. They spoke of being human beings trying to bring a human message to a portion of humanity that allows inhuman acts to proceed forward blindly.

Needless to say, the 3 were convicted. During the sentencing phase, the prosecutor argued that extreme consequences needed to be imposed because of the severity of the crime. He argued that this was not a simple trespass but represented a serious threat to this country's abilities to participate in war making activities. He warned of the government's need to deter domestic terrorism and suggested that unless severe consequences were imposed, the government would lose the ability to maintain law, order and control over its people.

SO - SAM HOCHSTETLER - 30 DAYS, KRISTEN BETTS - 60 DAYS, GREG BOERTJE-OBED - 6 MONTHS, ALL ARE IN THE CUSTODY OF THE BUREAU OF PRISONS.

We learned a few things as a result of this ordeal. The Supreme Court ruled that freedom of speech is not protected on military installations when such expressions of speech pose a danger to military loyalty, discipline or morale. Expressions of speech affirming the military and its missions are, however, welcomed on base at any time. We also learned that if those 6 simple words on the leaflets and 3 prophetic words on the banner constitute such a threat, then the pen really is mightier than the sword. For those that place their faith in the might of armaments, I would say are in deep trouble.

You can write to them at: Montgomery Co. Detention Center. 1307 Seven Locks Rd. Rockville MD 20854.

They were sentenced by: Magistrate Charles Day U.S.Courthouse 6500 Cherrywood Lane Greenbelt MD 20770 -if you want to drop him a line.