JAIL FOR   SIKORSKY PROTESTER

A Connecticut judge sentenced Mark Colville to 45 days in jail on November 2, following a two day bench trial. Colville, from New Haven's Amistad Catholic Worker community, was convicted of criminal trespass while also being found not guilty of disorderly conduct. He was arrested with five others last December 6, 2000, as they sought to deliver a letter to the president of Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, asking him to stop building Blackhawk helicopters that are being sent to Colombia. The others pleaded guilty to a lesser infraction and were given a $35 fine or community service sentence.

While not permitted to defend his action on grounds of necessity under international law, Colville's closing comments, acting as his own attorney, included reading of the letter they tried to deliver to Sikorsky's president, and a letter from a young woman Colville had befriended on a visit to Colombia. The writer urged the court to use the experience of September 11 to begin to understand the effects of war, especially on the poor.

The prosecutor, recommending Colville for the maximum six month sentence, expressed concern that someone might infiltrate such a peaceful protest group and "strap a bomb to themselves" to threaten national security by damaging a weapons maker like Sikorsky.

Colville spoke of his Catholic faith and that day's celebration of All Soul's Day. He stated his belief that the souls of Colombia's innocent dead were present in the courtroom, and that if the judge cared for the souls of the dead, he would release Colville.

For more information, contact Colombia Action Connecticut, c/o Bridgeport Catholic Worker, (203)338-8373, SBorla@snet.net

[Mark Colville was due out of jail 12/16/01.]