Monthly Archive for May, 2012

from Per Herngren

The three, active in the Covenant Church, vine and fig tree planters and plowshares, were arrested in the midst of a Pentecost service at the military company SAAB Microwave, Sweden, on the 27th of May 2012. They were released after 45 min, 7.15-8  pm.

The Holy Communion service took place at SAAB Microwaves (Mölndal, Sweden), a company that makes radar for military use. A Swedish vine was planted as part of the service. Three persons were taken into custody as they climbed the fence. The three were Pastor Leif Herngren, (Covenant Church Björkö), Claesgöran Johnson, (Rosa Huset Lövgärdets Covenant Church) and the usher for the Pentecost service, Per Herngren.

The demonstrations during NATO’s summit in Chicago were overwhelmingly peaceful, punctuated only by the predictable clashes when overwhelming numbers of hyper-militarized police meet a relative handful of demonstrators who are willing to push back when provoked. Such situations led to the majority of more than 100 arrests reported over a week of protest, most for misdemeanors or infractions. More than a dozen people face more serious charges including felony assaults on police as a result of these incidents, and three remain jailed on high bail.

Additionally, the use of undercover informants who supplied verbal encouragement, alcohol, access to equipment and expertise is alleged to be the common link behind at least five pre-emptive arrests on conspiracy and explosives charges of young men protesting NATO. The five also remain behind bars on bail ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million.

photo by Trisha McNeilly

by Trisha McNeilly

Three Plymouth police cars, Entergy’s security team, and a closed gate didn’t stop a group of 35 protesters from marching to the entrance of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant on May 20 to deliver a letter addressed to Entergy’s Site Vice President, demanding that Entergy  include Cape Cod in the emergency planning zone, withdraw their license renewal application, and immediately shut down the plant because of public safety concerns.

But Entergy refused to let anyone on their property, which didn’t stop Cape Coders Diane Turco and David Agnew from leading some of the anti-nuclear protesters beyond the entrance gate to personally deliver the letter.

photo by Leonard Eiger

by Leonard Eiger, Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action

On May 12, activists blocked entry to the main gate at the Navy’s West coast Trident nuclear submarine base in an act of civil resistance to nuclear weapons.

Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action (Ground Zero) held a peaceful vigil and nonviolent direct action at the main gate to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Silverdale, Washington.  They protested the U.S. government’s continued deployment and upgrading of the Trident nuclear weapons system.

On Saturday afternoon the group maintained a peaceful vigil on the roadside outside the base entrance.  Four protesters walked onto the roadway and unfurled a banner stretching across all entrance lanes.  The banner read, “Give PEACE a chance. No, seriously.”