from the Los Angeles Catholic Worker
Three Catholic Workers were sentenced to federal prison on April 21 for their nonviolent action at Vandenberg Air Force Base on August 8, 2015. Jeff Dietrich (Los Angeles Catholic Worker) and Dennis Apel (Guadalupe Catholic Worker) each received a four month sentence, and David Omondi (Los Angeles Catholic Worker) received a 2 month sentence. The men are required to self-surrender on different dates in early May.
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April 30, 2016
Daniel Berrigan, Uncle, Brother, Friend
PRESENTE
A statement from the Family of Father Dan Berrigan, SJ
This afternoon around 2:30, a great soul left this earth. Close family missed the “time of death” by half an hour, but Dan was not alone, held and prayed out of this plane of existence by his friends. We – Liz McAlister, Kate, Jerry and Frida Berrigan, Carla and Marc Berrigan-Pittarelli—were blessed to be among friends—Patrick Walsh, Joe Cosgrove, Father Joe Towle and Maureen McCafferty—able to surround Daniel Berrigan’s body for the afternoon into the evening.
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Protesters who blockaded London arms trade fair acquitted after judge sees evidence of illegal weapons on sale
The judge said there was compelling evidence that illegal arms were on sale at DSEI
from the Independent
by Jon Stone
There is compelling evidence that arms were illegally being sold at the world’s biggest arms fair which takes place in London, a judge has ruled.
Stratford Magistrates Court on Friday acquitted eight anti-arms trade protesters who tried to disrupt Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) last September.
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Jared Chase
photo by IDOC
Nato protester’s prison term extended for throwing human waste at guard
Jared Chase, who was imprisoned on charges related to a Nato protest, has Huntington’s disease and experts say he deserves treatment not punishment
By Renée Feltz
for the Guardian Tuesday 12 April 2016
Editor’s note: Letters of support can be sent to Jared Chase at the address listed here, and updates are posted by his support group at freethenato3.wordpress.com.
A 30-year-old Illinois prisoner diagnosed with a degenerative disease that destroys higher brain functioning will spend at least two more years behind bars for conduct experts say deserves treatment instead of disciplinary action.
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The Bangor Eight defendants in front of the courthouse
from Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action
by Leonard Eiger
Eight peace activists stood trial On Friday, April 1, 2016 in US District Court on charges of trespassing onto a US nuclear weapons base.
On August 10, 2015 the eight activists crossed the blue line onto Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, which represents the largest operational concentration of nuclear weapons in the US arsenal, in an act of nonviolent civil resistance. Some staged a die-in, spreading ashes around others’ bodies on the asphalt, while two members of the group attempted to deliver a letter to the base commander (CLICK HERE to read the letter) urging him to uphold international law regarding nuclear weapons.
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Photo by Sharat
Indian Springs, NV – On Friday, April 1, morning traffic at Creech Air Force Base was diverted by dozens of peace and justice activists attempting to shut down the armed drone attack program through nonviolent civil resistance. At 7:45 a.m., twelve peaceful resisters were arrested at the two main gates of Creech. At 10:00 a.m. another six were arrested at the main East Gate while blocking the entrance with “crime scene” tape, referring to the criminal activity of weaponized drone terrorism conducted at Creech, killing thousands of non-combatants and civilians over the past decade.
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Indian Springs, NV – During peak rush hour traffic on Thursday, March 31 at Creech Air Force Base, military veterans and friends were arrested while waving Veterans for Peace (VFP) flags and nonviolently blocking traffic at the East Gate on Hwy. 95, the primary commuter gate into the base. As the traffic was impeded, Las Vegas police diverted cars up the highway to less used, alternative gates.
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Photo by Mary Lou Anderson
INDIAN SPRINGS, NV – At 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, four women and four men were arrested during a nonviolent demonstration of peace in the roadway leading to Creech Air Force Base. On the 20th consecutive year of springtime prayer-walks to the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS, formerly the Nevada Nuclear Test Site), the Sacred Peace Walk of three dozen peace walkers hosted by Nevada Desert Experience was half-way through the pilgrimage to the NNSS. The prayer-action that morning at Creech was held from 6:45 to 8:45 a.m., with notably less traffic than usual for a weekday morning at the U.S.’ premier drone warfare base.
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from Art Laffin, Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, Washington, D.C.
From Holy Thursday afternoon to Good Friday afternoon (March 24-25), some 25 friends gathered in D.C. for a Faith and Resistance retreat and public witness that was organized by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker and held at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Church. Those who participated in the retreat/witness included members of Jonah House, the Atlantic Life Community and students from Loras College from Iowa. The theme of the retreat was: “Put Away the Sword – Stop Crucifixion Today.” Holy Thursday was a day of reflection, sharing, action planning and Liturgy. Good Friday was a day of public witness.
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Sam Yergler standing next to a Predator drone and flying his “peace drone” – Photo by Kassi Royalty
On March 13, Sam Yergler went to the Thunder and Lightening Over Arizona air show at Davis Monthan drone base in Tucson. When he found the Predator drone on display, he entered the roped off area surrounding it and flew his own small “peace drone” over it. He was detained on the tarmac for several hours, had a conversation with an FBI agent (who told Sam he’d be calling in the future) and received a 90 day ban and bar letter before being released. Two friends who accompanied him as observers were also given 90 day ban and bar letters.
Sam writes about his action:
Yesterday I lifted the veil on the military industrial complex if only for a short while. During the Air Force Base air show I snuck in a drone of my own and flew it above the Predator Drone they had on display. It was affixed with a banner reading “Peace Drone”. As it took off, I addressed the crowd:
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