Autumn/Winter 2023 – 2024

IN THIS E-BULLETIN

2,400 ARRESTS IN U.S. & CANADA CALLING FOR CEASEFIRE NOW

TWO ARRESTED AT THE PENTAGON ON FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS   

NUCLEAR ABOLITIONISTS BLOCK ENTRANCES OF U.S. MISSION TO THE U.N.

SIX ARRESTED CALLING ON “MERCHANT OF DEATH” RAYTHEON TO END PROFITING FROM WAR CRIMES 

ACTIVISTS SHUT DOWN NUCLEAR SUB FACILITY  

CLIMATE ACTIVISTS ARRESTED AT BEALE AIR FORCE BASE 

PROTESTERS BLOCK ENTRANCES TO L3 TECHNOLOGIES 

SIT-IN AT SENATOR SANDERS’ OFFICE 

BUY YOUR NUCLEAR RESISTER T-SHIRT TODAY!

PLEASE SUPPORT IMPRISONED ANTI-NUCLEAR AND ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS – THE NUCLEAR RESISTER NEEDS YOU! 

2,400 arrests in U.S. & Canada calling for Ceasefire Now   

When the long-simmering war between Hamas and the state of Israel exploded into a rolling boil on October 7, demands for a ceasefire quickly dominated demonstrations around the world. The Nuclear Resister has compiled a day-by-day chronicle of more than 2,400 arrests in the following two months, at more than 75 demonstrations across 22 states and provinces in the United States and Canada. It marks the largest surge of anti-war arrests since mid-April, 2003, when the Nuclear Resister chronicled over 7,500 anti-war arrests in the U.S. alone in the lead-up to and first weeks of the second U.S. invasion of Iraq. Please let us know if you or anyone you know are imprisoned for any of these actions. This chronology will be updated in coming weeks.  

Read more here.

Two arrested at the Pentagon on Feast of the Holy Innocents  

Early in the morning of December 28, ten peacemakers held signs and banners at the Pentagon to commemorate the Feast of the Massacre of the Holy Innocents. Catholic Workers Bill Frankel-Streit and Kim Williams blocked the main checkpoint gate of the Pentagon located next to the Metro entrance, holding a banner that read, “Wounded Knee to Gaza – Stop the Massacre of Innocents!”  They offered statements explaining their action as they were given three warnings to leave or be arrested. They were soon placed under arrest, processed by Pentagon police and charged with “disobeying a lawful order” before being released.    

Read more here.

Nuclear abolitionists block entrances of U.S. Mission to the U.N.  

Eighteen nuclear abolitionists were arrested at the U.S. Mission to the U.N., demanding that the U.S. sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Holding signs and banners and singing protest songs, the activists blocked all three entrance doors to the U.S. Mission. After two hours, the blockaders were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. The action took place during the Second Meeting of States Parties of the nuclear ban treaty taking place across the street at the U.N.    

Read more here.

Six arrested calling on “Merchant of Death” Raytheon to end profiting from war crimes  

Six activists from across the U.S. were arrested on November 8 during a die-in at Raytheon’s office in Arlington, Virginia as they called on Raytheon to end its role in producing weapons that are causing extreme suffering and death to innocent children, women and men around the world. Ranging from ages 28 to 77, all were charged with misdemeanor trespass. A court date is scheduled on January 10. The action led into the opening session of the Merchants of Death War Crimes Tribunal, which began on November 12 and was streamed to a worldwide audience (the video is available here).  You can find information on the ongoing tribunal at https://merchantsofdeath.org. 

Read more here.

Activists shut down nuclear sub facility 

Nine anti-nuclear activists with the Atlantic Life Community were arrested and charged with criminal trespass, criminal mischief and breach of peace on the morning of November 13 during a blockade of the two main entrances to the General Dynamics-Electric Boat (GD-EB) nuclear submarine engineering complex in New London, Connecticut, where nuclear submarines are designed. One of the banners blocking cars of employees arriving for the morning shift read “Building Nuclear Weapons is Illegal, Abide By Our Treaties, Stop Building Weapons of Mass Destruction.” Police issued citations to two additional activists, charging them with public disturbance.

Read more here.

Climate activists arrested at Beale Air Force Base        

On October 19, three climate protesters were arrested at Beale Air Force Base in California after crossing the demarcation line to demand climate justice. They held signs reading, “Our War Against Nature Must End” and “War is Incompatible with Life on Earth”. Among the three detained were two youth protesters who attempted to deliver a letter to base commander Geoffrey Church demanding the shut down of the base. These same two youth protesters, prior to crossing the demarcation line, also read a statement decrying the military’s involvement in the climate crisis.

Read more here.

Protesters block entrances to L3 Technologies

On October 12, two dozen peace activists blocked the entrances to defense contractor L3 Technologies in Northampton, Massachusetts for more than six hours. They used a boat and two boat trailers to chain themselves to the makeshift barricades, holding signs including “Rock the boat. The tide is rising. All hands on deck.” Police used saws to free the demonstrators who had chained themselves, and arrested seven people.

Read more here.

Sit-in at Senator Sanders’ office  

On October 4, CODEPINK walked the halls of Congress with over 60 people who came from all over the world to call for negotiations, not escalation in Ukraine. They focused attention on the hypocrisy of progressives who fund endless wars, including progressive champion Senator Bernie Sanders. The activists had a sit-in that morning in Sanders’ office, and 11 were arrested. 

Read more here.

Buy your Nuclear Resister t-shirt today!

The Gloo Factory – South Tucson’s progressive, union strong print shop – has printed buttons, stickers, signs, banners, flyers and more for the Nuclear Resister over the years… and now, they’ve made a brand new edition of the Nuclear Resister t-shirt! The t-shirts are 100% natural color, heavy-weight cotton and made in the U.S. You can buy yours now! Available in medium, large and extra large for only $20 plus $10 shipping in the U.S. Please inquire about the cost of shipping to other countries by emailing nukeresister@igc.org.  

Purchase a t-shirt here.