-editor's notes

This issue of the Nuclear Resister is much later than planned. We apologize to all of our readers - especially the imprisoned activists who were wondering if maybe they hadn't received an issue.

Multiple doctors' visits and medical tests for Jack took necessary time and attention in August and into September. He was finally diagnosed with celiac disease, and is now doing well on a gluten-free diet.

Then, in the sad and difficult days after September 11, we were swept up by a steady stream of peace vigils, sign-making, meetings, phone calls, press interviews, and organizing local demonstrations - urging our government not to respond to violence with violence. We are grateful for the many others around the world who have been a voice for peace during this time.

As we are corralled into "war without end" and talk of pre-emptive nuclear attacks, with human rights cast aside and our civil liberties under attack, the work of the Nuclear Resister grows more important: to encourage support for imprisoned activists, chronicle anti-war and anti-nuclear arrests, and help network the nonviolent resistance movement. We need to stay connected with and supportive of one another during these challenging times.

So here, finally, is this double issue - packed with hopeful stories, information about arrests and trials from around the world, and words from imprisoned resisters. We promise to continue to bring you news of peaceful resistance to violence,war and nukes, more needed than ever.

*******

Solitary Confinement for Political Prisoners

On September 11 and in the days thereafter, many political prisoners in U.S. federal prisons were placed in solitary confinement. Writing material and stamps, incoming mail, phone calls, and visits - even from their own attorneys and family - were prohibited. The order for this unprecedented lockdown apparently came directly from Attorney General John Ashcroft's office, according to an informative and disturbing article by Anne-Marie Cusac in the December, 2001 issue of the Progressive magazine (on-line at www.progressive.org if you are not a subscriber, or contact the Progressive, 409 E. Main St., Madison, WI 53703, (608)257-4626).

Nuclear resister Philip Berrigan was among those suddenly isolated. Responding to an e-mail announcement from his home community, Jonah House, we added a few phone calls to those of many others seeking information about Berrigan's situation, and insisting he be allowed contact - by phone, letter and visit - with his wife and community. On September 21, he was released back into general population and was able to call home.

While we might hope that the worst of such abuses has passed as a temporary panic, it has instead become institutionalized. Hundreds of foreign nationals caught unawares in Ashcroft's dragnet are still imprisoned, many essentially incommunicado in the manner of these other political prisoners.

As prisoner advocates, we stand in solidarity with those unjustly imprisoned by calling for their immediate release and encouraging support for the lawyers and organizations working to defend their rights in the current climate of repression and fear.

*******

We have been in touch with the the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors (630 20th St., Oakland, CA 94612, 510-465-1617, info@objector.org), but to date we have no information about public conscientious objectors who are confined in military brigs or prisons as a result of their stand. During the Gulf War against Iraq many COs were imprisoned, and their names and addresses were published on these pages. We will continue to do so as we learn of any such war resisters.

*******

International Prisoners for Peace Day

Support for imprisoned peace activists and conscientious objectors is the focus of International Prisoners for Peace Day on December 1. Each year since 1956, War Resisters' International (WRI) has published the names of current prisoners for peace. This year's Prisoners for Peace Honor Roll highlights peace prisoners in Israel who refuse to wage war on their Palestinian neighbors, and names 47 prisoners, among them conscientious objectors from Israel, Finland, Spain, and Germany, and nonviolent activists imprisoned for acts of civil disobedience. In several countries, the number of conscientious objectors or total military refusers imprisoned numbers in the dozens, while in Korea, there are presently about 1500 Jehovah's Witnesses in prison for conscientious objection, serving an average three year sentence.

"These prisoners, be they total objectors in Finland, or conscientious objectors in Israel, need our support even more now. Those who refuse to fight in war, who refuse to kill and to be killed, are at the forefront of the struggle to build peace. Their conscientious objection is not just a question of human rights for the individual, it as a political action for the demilitarization of their societies," explains Andreas Speck, office coordinator at WRI in London.

War Resisters' International and its member organizations call on everyone to support these prisoners by sending greetings cards and letters to prisoners. The Prisoners for Peace Honor Roll is available on request from the office of War Resisters' International, 5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX, England, or the War Resisters League, 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012, or at www.wri-irg.org