Author Archive for jack

Two nuclear resisters represented themselves at a September 2 bench trial before Judge Robert Forman in Pima County Consolidated Justice Court.

John Heid and Elizabeth Murray had been arrested during a prayerful nonviolent resistance action on Ash Wednesday, March 5 at the Raytheon weapons factory in Tucson, Arizona. Together with members of the Pacific Life Community, they gathered outside of Raytheon that day for a prayer vigil to protest the development and production of a new nuclear missile at the plant. They both were charged with misdemeanor trespass after continuing their prayers onto Raytheon’s property.

The Nuclear Resister has produced the following series of Nuclear Resister Stories for Nuclear Hotseat, a weekly podcast produced by Libbe HaLevy. In these 5-minute episodes, Jack Cohen-Joppa tells stories of actions for a nuclear-free future, culled from the archives of the Nuclear Resister newsletter.

#1 The first nuclear resisters

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.