Photo by Chris Knudson
Excerpts from Nevada Desert Experience website
Nevada Desert Experience (NDE) held their Justice For Our Desert event on October 14, 15 and 16, which included peaceful witness at both Creech Air Force Base and the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS, formerly the Nevada Test Site). Creech and the NNSS are desecrations of the land, its people and other creatures in Nevada and represent a threat to all life on the planet.
Justice For Our Desert began in Las Vegas on Friday evening, October 14 with a concert, art and refreshments. On the afternoon of October 15, participants protested at the gate of Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, holding signs and banners as drone operators left the base after their shift. Creech AFB is the center of drone warfare and assassination for the U.S. military and the CIA. NDE began protesting there in 2009.
They then traveled 30 miles to the historic Peace Camp across from the NNSS. The NNSS, established by the U.S. on land stolen from the Western Shoshone nation, was the primary testing location for American nuclear devices from 1951 to 1992. Nine hundred and twenty-eight announced nuclear tests occurred there, making it the most bombed place on earth. Today it continues as the site of “subcritical” nuclear tests and other research for new nuclear bombs and the “life extension” of old ones. NDE has witnessed for justice at the test site for more than 40 years.
On Sunday morning, October 16, Johnnie Bobb of the Western Shoshone Nation led a sunrise circle of prayer and gratitude. Later the group walked to the gate of the NNSS, where three activists walked past “no trespassing signs” onto the property of the Western Shoshone nation. Despite having permission from the property owners, Brian Terrell, John Amidon and Karen Pettit were arrested after they crossed the line. Pettit was given a warning. Terrell and Amidon, repeat offenders, were cited for trespass, and given a January 23 court date.
Photo courtesy of NDE
Photo by Chris Knudson