The Nuclear Resister

The banner that Sylvia and Mary took to Faslane, being carried at a previous demonstration

Peace Activists Target UK’s Nuclear Hypocrisy

In the early hours of Monday, 3rd February, two peace activists – Sylvia Boyes and Mary Millington – were arrested attempting to enter Faslane, home to the UK’s nuclear submarines.  They were charged with criminal damage for cutting the fence and spraypainting, and released.

Their action comes a week after David Cameron pledged to increase defence spending, including investment in nuclear weapons. The Ministry of Defence also admitted that chancellor George Osborne is already signing off millions of pounds worth of investment on nuclear submarines before a parliamentary decision on the issue is to be taken.

photo by Marcia Gagliardi

BRATTLEBORO, Vermont – Rain, fog, and ice did not hamper the enthusiasm of the Shut It Down Affinity group and their supporters on January 30 as they celebrated The People’s Payment addressing more than $3,000 in fines and fees assessed for a November 2012 conviction of trespass at the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon.

More than 50 people congregated at foggy, icy Wells Fountain with signs, banners, and noisemakers to celebrate the widespread community in four states that spontaneously contributed sufficient funds to address the fines of six women convicted in November for blocking the power plant gate in August 2011.

After a parade through downtown with signs, banners, noisemakers, and mock coffins containing mock radioactive fuel rods, fourteen Shut-It-Downers made their way to Entergy headquarters on Old Ferry Road, where they blocked the main entrance before Brattleboro police arrested them for trespass.

photo by Georgina Shanley

As part of the Brandywine Peace Community’s noontime Martin Luther King Day of Nonviolent Resistance at Lockheed Martin, more than fifty people stood with banners and signs in front of the King of Prussia, PA complex of the world’s largest war profiteer, Lockheed Martin. Many of those gathered (just as in previous years) were from the New Jerusalem Laura, a faith-based addiction recovery community in North Philadelphia.

As people arrived for the day’s demonstration honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his message of nonviolent action for justice and peace, excerpts of many of Dr. King’s sermons and speeches were being broadcast loudly in front of Lockheed Martin, located directly behind the King of Prussia Mall, the area’s largest shopping mall (indeed, the largest mall on the East Coast).

from Support the LANL 6

The Los Alamos Hiroshima Day Six (LANL6) were arrested together in the street in front of Los Alamos National Laboratory (see their testimonies) and were tried in the local Los Alamos Municipal Court on January 9th 2013. In the closing argument of the five-hour trial the Defense Attorney reminded the Municipal Judge that the job of every judge in every state according to Article VI of the US Constitution must uphold highest law of the land—international treaties (including the NPT of 1970 enjoining the US to abolish nuclear weaponry) and that the defendants on August 6th 2012 were merely performing their duties (according to the Nuremberg principles) as civilians who are confronted with crimes against humanity.

The accused LANL6 may or may not comply with the penalties (including probation), and may or may not appeal for a trial De Novo. They are Summer, Wind, Cathie, Barbara, Pam & Janet.