The Nuclear Resister

Mark Kenney, Brian Terrell and Ron Faust in front of courthouse

by Brian Terrell

June 12, 2012

The United States District Courthouse in Jefferson City, Missouri, is a modern and graceful structure sitting on a bluff over the Missouri River. Less than one year old, it is a virtual temple in white marble, granite and glass, its clean lines all the more immaculate in contrast to its nearest neighbor, the crumbling 19th century hulk of the derelict and empty Missouri State Penitentiary, now a tourist attraction and occasional movie set. Set into the floor of the courthouse rotunda, executed in marble and bronze, is the image of the Great Seal of the United States, the eagle with arrows in one talon and olive leaves in the other, circled by a quote from the Bible, from the prophet Amos, “Let Justice Flow Like A River.”

The Shut It Down Affinity Group on Monday, June 11, 2012, from left: Marcia Gagliardi, Hattie Nestel, Susan Lantz, Priscilla Lynch, Ellen Graves, Paki Wieland, Sherrill Hougen, Connie Harvard, Nancy First, and Julie Levy; Judy Wolter was not present for the photo

Carrying facts about the dangers of radiation and nuclear power and attired as medical professionals, women of the Shut It Down Affinity Group appeared at Entergy headquarters Monday, June 11 to alert officials to the necessity of closing their Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon, Vermont.

Brattleboro police commanded by Lieutenant Robert Kirkpatrick arrested eight women when Entergy’s Larry Smith, a public relations officer, contacted police to have the women removed from the premises. When the women refused to leave, Lieutenant Kirkpatrick and his detail booked the women for unlawful trespass. They are scheduled for arraignment July 17.

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.”