Braving 50-mile an hour winds, over sixty people protested the participation of Iowa Air National Guard troops enforcing the no-fly zones over northern Iraq. During the April 8 demonstration at the Des Moines airport headquarters of the Guard, eight people were arrested for blocking the entrance, a symbolic act to prevent the troops' departure.

Seven people spent the night in the Polk County Jail before pleading guilty to trespass the next day and receiving a sentence of time served plus court costs. Jerry Ebner was released pending a May court date to face the same charge.

On January 12, nine Des Moines area activists walked onto Camp Dodge to deliver an urgent message to the Iowa Army National Guard's Company C. Their leaflet informed guard members of the illicit status of the no-fly zones, reminded them of their legal and moral obligations under international and domestic law, and urged their refusal to participate in an upcoming deployment in support of the enforcement of the no-fly zones. Two men entered the barracks and delivered the message before being escorted from the property without charges.

For more information, contact the Iowa Committee to End War Crimes Against Iraq, c/o Des Moines Catholic Worker, P.O. Box 4551, Des Moines, IA 50306, (515)243-0765.