EMBASSY ARRESTS   AT VANUNU VIGIL

Freedom petition for nuclear whistleblower prompts arrests at Israel's Washington Embassy

On September 30, supporters of imprisoned nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu gathered in front of Israeli embassies and consulates in cities around the world to call for his immediate release. The date marked the 16th anniversary of his kidnapping and imprisonment. In Stockholm, London, Lisbon, Rome, Hiroshima, Sydney, Wellington, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Boston, Vancouver and Toronto, people held signs and banners, read Vanunu's poetry aloud and handed out leaflets. Participants also signed a letter calling for Vanunu's release, to be delivered after the vigil or later mailed to the embassy or consulate in their city.

After a noon hour vigil across from the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., several people crossed the road to deliver the signed letter to the embassy, asking to meet with someone inside. Their request was refused, and when they declined to leave, Susan Clarkson, Colleen McCarthy, Art Laffin and Elayne McClanen were soon arrested and charged with "refusing to move on". The four were released from custody that evening. Their trial is scheduled for December 12.

In Israel, a parole hearing for Vanunu scheduled for October 29 was canceled, reportedly because the judge was ill. Another date for the hearing has been set for late November.

For more information, contact the U.S. Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu, P.O. Box 43384, Tucson, AZ 85733, (520)323-8697, email: freevanunu@mindspring.com, web: www.nonviolence.org/vanunu

Please send a note of support to Dr. Mordechai Vanunu, Ashkelon Prison, Ashkelon, Israel.