Author Archive for jack

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.”

photo by Hattie Nestel

Costumed in hazmat suits and toting Geiger counter props, eight members of the Shut It Down Affinity Group with three supporters leafleted with a Can Fukushima Happen Here? brochure in downtown Brattleboro on Tuesday, April 24. They then appeared in nearby Vernon to block the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant gate by chaining themselves to it and stretching crime scene tape across the driveway.

Towards a New Stage of Struggle: A Call from History

Revoke the Jeju naval base project!

Stop the deceptive propaganda about a civilian-military dual-use port!

Stop the blasts and destruction!

Stop the human rights violations! Stop pro-nuclear MD policy!