Monthly Archive for August, 2025

The War in our Backyard, by Jack Cohen-Joppa

Posted on August 9, 2025

The following is an adaptation of a presentation given by Jack Cohen-Joppa at the Pacific Life Community retreat held in St. David, Arizona in March 2025 (published in the August 2025 issue of the Catholic Agitator, newsletter of the Los Angeles Catholic Worker). 

THE WAR IN OUR BACKYARD

by Jack Cohen-Joppa

On the ancestral lands of the Western Apache and O’odham peoples, the United States is peddling war and death. 

In fact, more than sunshine, saguaros and scenic vistas, more than copper, cattle, cotton, and citrus, the largest dollar-value export of things made in Tucson — and in fact in all of Arizona — is war and carnage. Most of that is weapons that come direct from Raytheon’s Tucson plants.

Here in southern Arizona, we have all been sold on and suckered into war. For more than four decades, this region has suckled on the profits of war, and it sucks.

 » Read more…

Three arrested at Lockheed Martin commemorating atomic bombing of Hiroshima

Posted on August 9, 2025

On the afternoon of August 6, about 25 people gathered at the King of Prussia, Pennsylvania facility of Lockheed Martin to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and demonstrate against Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest war profiteer. The protesters stood side-by-side along the sidewalk, which was lined with bright banners. They waved peace flags, carried protest signs, and tolled the historic peace bell of the Brandywine Peace Community.

Musician Tom Mullian accompanied himself on the guitar and sang two of his songs about resistance and determination. Robert Smith, co-founder and coordinator of the Brandywine Peace Community, spoke briefly about the history of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the urgency of abolishing nuclear weapons, and the importance of persistence. 

Following the program, three of those present crossed onto Lockheed Martin property to carry the message of no more war and no nuclear weapons directly to the company’s employees. Paul Sheldon, Bob Smith and Fr. Pat Sieber, OSF were moved off the property by police and cited for trespassing.

 » Read more…

Hiroshima Day arrests at the Pentagon

Posted on August 9, 2025
from Art Laffin
August 6, 2025
Dear Friends, 
Early this morning of August 6, over 30 peacemakers from the DMV area held a nonviolent witness/commemoration prayer service at the Pentagon to mark the 80th anniversary of U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The witness was organized by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker and co-sponsored by Pax Christi USA, Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Little Friends for Peace, Isaiah Project, Assisi Community, Norfolk Catholic Worker and the Hampton Roads Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.

 » Read more…