The Nuclear Resister

On March 13, Plymouth County Court Judge Kathryn Hand accepted the Commonwealth’s Motion to dismiss the trespass charges against the eleven defendants who sought to deliver a letter to Entergy Corporation of Louisiana on May 20, 2012.  The letter requested that Entergy withdraw their relicensing application to operate the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Facility for an additional 20 years.

The defendants opposed the dismissal and were prepared to mount a vigorous necessity defense starting on March 18.  They wanted to justify why they felt it necessary to trespass and had several renowned expert witnesses ready to testify.

Photo by Mike Wisneiski

from Leonard Eiger, Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action

Silverdale, Washington, March 4, 2013 — Twenty peace activists from around the United States were arrested as a result of their nonviolent protest against nuclear weapons at a U.S. Naval base.

Members of the Pacific Life Community gathered at the Main Gate to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor early Monday morning in resistance to the continued deployment of the Trident nuclear weapons system and the associated threat of use of nuclear weapons by the U.S. government.

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.