Nuclear Resister E-Bulletin May 2016

May 2016

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IN THIS E-BULLETIN

MINISTER ARRESTED AT MEMORIAL DAY DIE-IN AT KANSAS CITY NUCLEAR WEAPONS PLANT

THREE PEOPLE ARRESTED IN MOTHER’S DAY DEMONSTRATION AT BANGOR NUCLEAR SUB BASE

MEDICAL CARE WITHHELD FROM IMPRISONED NATO PROTESTER, LETTERS TO WARDEN NEEDED

TWO MEN ARRESTED PROTESTING USE OF IRELAND’S SHANNON AIRPORT BY U.S. MILITARY

ISRAEL BRINGS MORE CHARGES AGAINST NUCLEAR WHISTLEBLOWER MORDECHAI VANUNU

THREE ACTIVISTS ARRESTED DURING OTTAWA ARMS SHOW PROTEST

PLEASE SUPPORT IMPRISONED ANTI-NUCLEAR AND ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS – THE NUCLEAR RESISTER NEEDS YOU!
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Minister arrested at Memorial Day die-in at Kansas City nuclear weapons plant 

On May 30, more than 50 people took part in a Memorial Day peace walk from the old Kansas City nuclear weapons parts plant to the new one, about ten miles away. After a die-in at the conclusion of the walk, Lu Mountenay, a minister from Independence, Missouri, crossed the line onto the nuclear plant’s property. She was cited for trespass before being released at the scene, and has a court appearance scheduled on August 1.  She said, “The military-industrial complex doesn’t ‘get it,’ but my grandchildren get it – they understand I’m crossing the line for them, for all the children of the world.”

Read more here.

Three people arrested in Mother’s Day demonstration at Bangor nuclear sub base

Thirty-five people were present on May 7 at the Mother’s Day demonstration against Trident nuclear weapons at the Bangor submarine base. Five demonstrators attempted to block the main highway entrance into the base, with three of them arrested by Naval Base security. Larry Kerschner, Br. Gilberto Perez and Bernie Meyer carried a sign with the words of Fr. Daniel Berrigan: “Know where you stand and stand there.”  The men were charged with trespass and released.

Read more here.

Medical care withheld from imprisoned NATO protester, letters to warden needed 

Jared Chase, the last man in prison for protest at the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago, recently had another year added to his sentence and has not been receiving needed medication and medical care.  He needs the following support NOW:  1) Please contact the warden to ask that Jared receive medical treatment for Huntington’s Disease, Hepatitis C and a broken nose. 2) Help Jared get his good time reinstated by contacting the Illinois Department of Corrections. 3) Send Jared a birthday card.  His birthday is on June 12.

Read more, and find contact info for Jared, the warden at his prison, and the Illinois Department of Corrections here.

Two men arrested protesting use of Ireland’s Shannon Airport by U.S. military

At approximately 6 a.m. on May 25, there was a faith-based action at Shannon Airport in response to Ireland’s continuing support of U.S. wars conducted in the Middle East. Dave Donnellan and Colm Roddy entered the airfield and sprayed the main runway with red crosses to represent all the innocent blood spilt by these wars. They carried a banner reading “U.S. Military and CIA out of Shannon Airport” and an Irish flag, signifying the abuse of Irish neutrality by U.S. military at Shannon Airport, while crossing two runways and walking over half a mile.  The two men were eventually spotted and arrested.

Read more here.

Israel brings more charges against nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu 

On May 8, Israeli prosecutors charged nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu with violating the terms of his release, more than a decade after he completed an 18-year jail sentence. When he was released in 2004, Vanunu was given a list of significant restrictions on his freedom of speech, movement and association, some of which he has violated in recent years, according to the Ministry of Justice.  A year ago, Vanunu married a Norwegian woman, and although he would like to move to Norway, the restrictions bar him from leaving Israel.  In 1986, the whistleblower provided photos to the London Sunday Times that proved Israel was building nuclear weapons, something they refuse to confirm or deny to this day.  He continues to assert that he has no more secrets to reveal, is not a security risk and that all of the restrictions should be lifted immediately.

Read more here.

Three activists arrested during Ottawa arms show protest 

Arms merchants who were in Ottawa at the end of May for the Canadian Association of Defence and Security (CANSEC) industry trade show were greeted by protesters.  On May 25, activists held a six hour vigil with large 4’ x 4’ Faces of War at the entrance to CANSEC, with photos of children and families in Gaza, Iraq and Afghanistan whose lives have forever been ruined by the sales at these weapons shows. Others occupied the lobby of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest the government’s approval of a $15 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia.  Several people held up a “No More Arms Deals” banner and handed leaflets to people passing through the lobby. David Milne, Kirsten Romaine and Kevin Shimmin were arrested for trespass and engaging in prohibited activity when they refused to leave. They were later released with a court date.

Read more here.

Please support imprisoned anti-nuclear and anti-war activists – The Nuclear Resister needs YOU!

The Nuclear Resister is a bare bones operation that depends on grassroots support to chronicle anti-war and anti-war resistance, and support the women and men in prison for their acts of conscience. We need your help to continue this work – please read more here!! Or go directly here to make a secure online donation and find information about how to send a check.  Each and every donation, large or small, will be gratefully received – thank you!