The Nuclear Resister

Six Peacemakers Arrested at the Pentagon to Commemorate the 67th anniversary of the U.S. nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 

by Art Laffin

On August 6, the 67th anniversary of the U.S. nuclear bombings of Hiroshima, and feast of the Transfiguration, members of the Atlantic Life Community (ALC) held nonviolent actions at the Pentagon and the Enola Gay war plane which is on display at the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum.

Wearing sack cloth and ashes, carrying photos of bombing victims, and holding one banner calling for repentance of the bombing and another banner which read: Why Harbor Evil Thoughts in Your Hearts? (Mt. 9:4), about 15 peacemakers held a mostly silent witness at the Pentagon. In between periods of silence we read the Transfiguration Gospel account and a short poem by Dan Berrigan, S.J. (see below), and offered a song about a Hiroshima child, I Come and Stand.  Following the song, the group processed out of the fenced off designated protest area and six went onto the sidewalk near the Pentagon metro entrance and remained there to pray in silence. After several warnings the six were placed under arrest and taken to a new processing site on the Pentagon grounds, formerly used as a day care center. They were charged with violating a lawful order and released with a court date on October 19.

Hope: A Message to the Movement

Last week I walked out of federal prison, flew home, and was greeted by my smiling parents at the airport gate. Unlike most other prisoners, I didn’t have to take a 14 hour Greyhound bus; or use my bright red, inmate ID card; nor wear my prison clothes en route. My privilege returned to me the moment of my release. Friends picked me up and drove me to the Westin hotel for a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream. Although it was July 11th and there was a heat wave burning through the country, I was still cold from my incarceration.

I entered prison because, like all of you, I believe torture is wrong and should not be a global export or a domestic product. The violence I survived during my six month stay in the five federal “holding” facilities confirmed my conviction. The United States’ Department of Justice likes to aggressively flex its muscles like a violent, bully when it comes to poor, sick and people of color. We spend our privileged fortunes on building expensive cages for them to fail in, without even providing clean drinking water. The Bureau of Prisons does not belong as a branch of the Department of Justice, but rather belongs in the Department of Defense, where torture and mass murder are their specialties.

Dr. Song Kang-Ho sent a message from Jeju Prison to share with people gathered at a candlelight vigil on June 28 in front of the construction gate at a naval base under construction on Jeju Island.

“The fire is brighter in the darkness. The Gangjeong village is a candle light of the dark period when the ghost of violence dominates […] The more increasing candles will eventually collapse the naval base that push the village, Jeju and our country into anxieties and conflicts. Even though a candle is small, the power of fire is great. We all have such great kindling in our hearts.”

Ms. Cho Jung-Rae, Dr. Song’s wife, was present at the event.

Helen Woodson made this beautiful card for us when she was in prison.  Today, June 26, is her first birthday outside of prison in 27 years, making the celebration for others of us who have a birthday today even sweeter:  Jack and Felice Cohen-Joppa, Ellen Barfield, Dot Fisher-Smith, and Sean O’Reilly… almost enough for an affinity group!