The Nuclear Resister networks the anti-nuclear and anti-war resistance movement while acting as a clearinghouse for information about contemporary nonviolent resistance to war and the nuclear threat. Our emphasis is on support for the women and men jailed for these actions. This blog is the online companion to the quarterly Nuclear Resister newsletter, a more comprehensive chronicle. » Read more…
Compiled from reports at FreeKimberlyRivera.org
Katie Rivera joins demonstration for her mom’s freedom outside military brig in San Diego, December 1,
PFC Kimberly Rivera gave birth to her son Matthew on the evening of November 25. After last-minute pressure from outside supporters and her attorney, husband and father Mario Rivera was allowed to be present for the birth.
Then, on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, Fort Carson Senior Commander Brig. General Michael A. Bills acted with extreme cruelty to deny Rivera’s request for clemency that would allow her to be excused from serving the last few weeks of her sentence so that she could be with her newborn son. She was taken from the hospital back the brig that morning, and their son was given to his father.
Protests of the action took place in Canada, France and the United States on December 1, which is coincidently also International Prisoner for Peace Day. On Thanksgiving Day, Mario Rivera posted this letter about his family’s ordeal:
Photo by Guari Delgado
Activists in California blocked “business as usual” for over 30 minutes at Beale Air Force Base on the morning of November 26, where the crew of the Global Hawk drone program assist in illegal targeted drone killing by doing surveillance of potential targets. Four activists – Mike Kerr, Flora Rogers, Shirley Osgood and MacGregor Eddy – were arrested while attempting to deliver a letter to the commander of the base, demanding a halt to these brutal drone killings that are assisted by airmen at Beale Air Force Base.
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November, 2013
Dear friends,
All of us whose names appear below have something in common. At some time between 1980 and today, each of our names appeared on the list of imprisoned anti-nuclear and anti-war activists published by the Nuclear Resister.
This letter is our unhesitating recommendation and appeal to you to support the Nuclear Resister, a “chronicle of hope”.
The Nuclear Resister has been and continues to be a crucial source of information for the community of nonviolent resisters, prisoners of conscience and their supporters. It helps to unify peace communities and build solidarity. It reminds us of the global movement we are a part of and provides a space for us to learn from and be inspired by each other.
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November 2013 IN THIS E-BULLETIN JAILED WAR RESISTER GIVES BIRTH, SEEKS EARLY RELEASE Support action needed NOW! FOUR ARRESTED IN DRONE PROTEST INSIDE HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WOMEN ARRESTED AGAIN BLOCKING GATE OF VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR PLANT JUDGE DECLARES HANCOCK BLOCKADERS NOT GUILTY —————— Jailed war resister gives birth, seeks early release Support action needed [...]
One of four drone protesters being arrested. Photo by Ted Majdosz
from dc.indymedia.org
by Luke
On the 18th of November, 26 activists against the US drone killing program packed into pro-drone Senator Schumer’s office demanding he issue a statement denouncing the use of armed drones for assasinations.
His national security staffer was present and refused to even call him to seek such a statement. As a result the protest escalated into arrests.
Sen Schumer’s Foreign Affairs/National Security staffer complained that the protesters were a “fire hazard,” drawing a rebuke that the drones are a worse hazard. He offered to discuss matters in the hallway, protesters knew bettter and stayed in his office. They opened a passageway to allow entry and exit to prevent anyone from using obstructed access as an excuse.
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from the Shut It Down affinity group
BRATTLEBORO, VT—“Where are your flood seals, VY?” the Shut It Down affinity group asked at the gates of the Entergy Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant on the afternoon of November 12.
Carrying a banner equating catastrophe with the meltdowns at Fukushima, Japan, women of the affinity group cited recent federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission reports of flood seal failures at the Vermont Yankee plant.
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Mario and Kimberly Rivera. Photo courtesy Courage to Resist
from Courage to Resist
By James Branum and Courage to Resist. November 4, 2013
Fort Carson, Colorado – Imprisoned war resister PFC Kimberly Rivera has submitted a clemency application seeking a reduction by 45 days in the 10 month prison sentence she received for seeking asylum in Canada rather return to her unit in Iraq.
The request for clemency was based on humanitarian reasons due to pregnancy. Unless clemency is granted, Private First Class Kimberly Rivera will be forced to give birth in prison and then immediately relinquish custody of her son while she continues to serve the remainder of her sentence.
Unfortunately military regulations make no provision for her to be able to breastfeed her infant son while she is in prison.
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(Left to right), Front row: Jerry, Denny; Back row: Bix, Susan, Betsy, Mary Jane & Ed
Federal Trial for the 2013 PLC Resisters: The Wrap Up
by Leonard Eiger
Greetings Pacific Life Community members and friends,
Seven members of the Pacific Life Community stood trial in US District Court on Monday, October 21. They were charged with trespassing, stemming from their arrests during the March 4, 2013 nonviolent direct action at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.
William “Bix” Bicshel, SJ; Susan Crane; Ed Ehmke, Betsy Lamb; Denny Moore; Mary Jane Parrine and Jerry Zawada, OFM appeared before Chief Magistrate Judge Mary Alice Theiler in United States District Court, Western District of Washington in Tacoma.
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HISTORIC ACQUITTAL OF ASH WEDNESDAY ANTI-DRONE WITNESS AT HANCOCK AIR BASE, NY
In a historic decision, five Catholic Worker activists were acquitted October 24 of disorderly conduct charges for blocking the main entrance to Hancock Air Base, home of the 174th Attack Wing of the Air National Guard, Syracuse, New York. Hancock is a Reaper drone hub whose technicians pilot weaponized drones over Afghanistan.
The five went “pro se,” defending themselves in the De Witt town court of Judge Robert Jokl.
In his closing statement Fr. Bill Picard said, “We pray for you, Judge Jokl, to have the courage to do the right and courageous thing.”
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Greg, Megan and Michael outside the federal courthouse before the start of their trial in Knoxville, May 2013. Photo by Felice Cohen-Joppa
Dear friends and supporters of the Transform Now Plowshares,
We continue to ask for your support and help. Sentencing for Sr. Megan Rice, Greg Boertje-Obed and Michael Walli has been postponed until January 28, 2014. On October 1, we received word that Judge Amul Thapar denied the motion to dismiss the sabotage conviction as well as denied the motion for a new trial. For complete background information please visit www.transformnowplowshares@wordpress.com
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