The Nuclear Resister
E-bulletin
August, 2010
IN THIS E-BULLETIN:
1) HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI DAY ACTIONS
2) SIGN PETITION FOR VANUNU’S FREEDOM TO LEAVE ISRAEL
3) TWO WAR TAX RESISTERS BEGIN PRISON SENTENCES
4) SERVING TIME FOR PEACE IN SWEDEN by Martin Smedjeback
5) VIEW NOW! SLIDESHOW CELEBRATING NUCLEAR RESISTANCE
6) WRITE A NOTE OF SUPPORT TO ANTI-NUCLEAR & ANTI-WAR PRISONERS
7) UPCOMING NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTIONS
Hiroshima & Nagasaki Day Actions
The 65th anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were observed around the world on August 6 and August 9. A handful of the memorial events across the United States included acts of civil disobedience calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Arrests were reported at nuclear weapons laboratories in Livermore, California (31) and Los Alamos, New Mexico (8); at the nuclear war merchant Lockheed-Martin’s facility in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (7); at the missile launch test site at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California (7); outside the Pentagon (4) and the strategic nuclear command center at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska (4); and blocking the entrance to the Trident nuclear missile launching submarine base in Bangor, Washington (9). The full report on these memorial actions and more will be in the next print edition of the Nuclear Resister. Please subscribe, or to receive a free sample copy of the next issue by first class mail, hot off the press, e-mail your postal mailing address to nukeresister@igc.org.
Sign Petition for Vanunu’s Freedom to Leave Israel
Nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu was released from an Israeli prison on August 8 after serving 10 weeks of a three-month sentence in solitary confinement. He was convicted of violating restrictions imposed following his 2004 prison release by speaking with foreign media. In 1986, while a technician at Israel’s Dimona nuclear facility, Vanunu photographed critical components of Israel’s nuclear weapons production line, leading experts to conclude that Israel possesses up to 200 warheads. For unmasking the secret arsenal, Vanunu was kidnapped by Israeli agents, tried in secret and convicted of espionage and treason. Since completing his 18-year prison sentence, Vanunu has also been prohibited from leaving Israel.
Please sign this petition, adding your signature to a letter that has been sent by Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate, and Gerry Grehan, Chair of the Peace People, Northern Ireland, to President Barak Obama, UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, other world leaders and prominent personalities, to ask for their help in obtaining the lifting of all restrictions on Mordechai Vanunu and for him to be granted freedom to leave Israel.
Two War Tax Resisters Begin Prison Sentences
Two men who had each privately resisted payment of federal income tax, for reasons of conscience in opposition to war, have recently been prosecuted and sent to prison. With belated serendipity, both Frank Donnelly and Carl (Carlos) Steward learned about the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC) too late to avail themselves of the experience, knowledge and counselling available, but not too late for the positive publicity and moral support that this information clearinghouse for conscientious military tax refusal is well-prepared to offer. Read more about Carlos Steward’s and Frank Donnelly’s situation, and send them a note of support in prison.
Serving Time for Peace in Sweden
by Martin Smedjeback
[Note from editors: Martin’s experience in a Swedish prison is in sharp contrast to prison conditions in the U.S. and elsewhere. We thought you’d find it interesting to read about the first day of his four month prison sentence for a disarmament action.]
17th of June, 2010
I am led into the central office of the prison Skenäs outside of Norrköping. Two guards help me to carry my stuff. “It looks like you are moving in here!” says one guard. “That’s exactly what I am doing, temporary anyway,” says I. “Do you have your sentence papers with you?” asks another guard. “Yes,” I answer and hand them the papers which say that I was convicted to four months in prison. I am asked to step out and wait while they handle some of my paperwork. I take a seat on the stairs. The sun is shining. I start reading yesterday’s paper. Two inmates come out from their dorms. Sitting on a bench on the other side of the yard, one of them shouts to me, ”Are you new here?” “Yes,” I shout back. “What are you in for?” he continues. ”Criminal damage” I answer. “What have you destroyed?” “Bazookas,” I answer.
VIEW NOW!
Slideshow Celebrating Nuclear Resistance
See the inspiring images of nuclear resistance throughout the years, accompanied by music, that was made by Felice and Jack Cohen-Joppa especially for the Resistance for a Nuclear-Free Future gathering over July 4th weekend in Tennessee to celebrate the 30th anniversaries of Nukewatch, the Nuclear Resister and the Plowshares movement. (18 minutes)
Now available at the Nuclear Resister blog – www.nukeresister.org/
Write a note of support to anti-nuclear and anti-war prisoners
They’re in there for us; we’re out here for them!
A regularly updated list of imprisoned military refusers, anti-nuclear and anti-war activists is available on the Nuclear Resister blog.
Upcoming nonviolent direct actions (click here).
Take part in a nonviolent civil disobedience/civil resistance action, play a role in supporting those who do, carry signs and banners… be part of the movement for a peaceful and nuclear-free future!
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This E-bulletin is a monthly supplement to the print edition of the Nuclear Resister newsletter. For the only comprehensive chronicle of information about anti-nuclear and anti-war related arrests and peace prisoner support, please subscribe to the print edition of the Nuclear Resister.
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