International peace activists enter US nuclear weapons base in Germany

On Sunday, July 15th 2018, eighteen people from four different countries cut through fences to reclaim German Air Force Base Büchel, which hosts about 20 U.S. nuclear bombs. The activists are from the USA (7), Germany (6), The Netherlands (4) and England (1).

The peace activists cut through razor wire and some other fences and several made it to the runway; three activists walked to a nuclear weapons bunker, and climbed up to the top where they were undetected for an hour. All 18 were eventually found by soldiers, handed over to the civil police, ID checked, and released from the base after 4-½ hours.

This action was part of the international week during the 20 weeks of protests by the German campaign ‘Buechel is everywhere! Nuclear weapons-free now!’. The campaign demands the withdrawal of nuclear weapons from Germany, the cancellation of the upcoming nuclear modernization and compliance with international treaties.

On this air force base, German pilots stand ready to fly Tornado fighter jets with U.S.  B-61 nuclear bombs and could even drop them, on orders from U.S. President Donald Trump on targets in or near Europe.

This “nuclear sharing” within NATO is in violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which does not allow Germany to take nuclear weapons from other countries and forbids the U.S. from sharing its nuclear weapons with non-nuclear weapons states. The activists demand of their governments that they sign the new UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, of July 7th 2017, which was supported by 122 UN members.

“Civil disobedience is often necessary to make important changes possible, like the abolition of slavery, the women’s rights to vote, and the civil rights movement,” said John LaForge, co-director of Nukewatch, the Luck, Wisconsin peace group, which helped organize a 9-person US delegation to the protest. The nonviolent campaign is part of the ICAN network, which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017, and recently called for nonviolent direct actions on nuclear bases to urge more countries to sign the treaty ban. The Dutch activist and Catholic Worker Frits ter Kuile said: “My motivation is the commandment to love one’s “enemies”, and the Nuremberg principles stating that everyone is responsible for the crimes their government commits. We have the duty to take down the fences that protect nuclear mass destruction, and reclaim the land for the people and their real needs”.

‘Pope’ and ‘Martin Luther’ visit Nottinghamshire fracking site

The Pope and Martin Luther were two characters in a play performed by a group of Christians outside a site in Nottinghamshire threatened with fracking last week. Members of Christian Climate Action travelled from across the UK to meet with local people for a prayer vigil at Tinker Lane near Blyth.

Pope and Martin Luther at fracking site

CCA perform Reformation play at fracking site

The vigil included liturgy, prayer, sung worship, and a play entitled ‘A Radical Reformation of the Economy’ in which Pope Frances and Martin Luther are characters calling for a reformation which sees humanity place care for creation above success of the economy. Most of their lines in the play are words the real Pope Francis and Martin Luther wrote.

IGas has planning permission to carry out exploratory drilling for shale gas on the site. This is the first step towards fracking. The vigil offered those who attended a chance to pray for the protection of creation and that fracking will not happen.

Caroline Harmon, a member of Christian Climate Action who attended, said:

‘Local people don’t want fracking in Nottinghamshire; science tells us that the earth cannot sustain life as we know it if we continue to extract fossil fuels; and the bible calls on us to care for the creation God has placed us in.

‘We first visited Tinker Lane in the summer of 2017. It’s fantastic to come back and see lots of local people fighting this at the gates of the site, but also sad to see the progress IGas has made in erecting equipment on the site.

‘We prayed for strength and perseverance for local opposition groups, and for the repentance and conversion of humanity as we seek to learn to live within our means in God’s earth.’

More information and photos are on the CCA website: https://christianclimateaction.wordpress.com.

More about possible fracking at Tinker Lane and those who are fighting it here.

Christians blockade missile factory

‘The people’s weapons inspectors’ request to enter the site and speak to the director

The people’s weapons inspectors ask he police to help them inspect the site for weapons

Earlier this week ‘The People’s Weapons Inspectors’ blocked the main gate of arms manufacturer Roxel in the West Midlands and requested to inspect the site. The group, which included members of Put Down the Sword and the London Catholic Worker, believe the site is supplying weapons components that will be used by the Saudi Arabian military to commit war crimes against the people of Yemen.

At around 07:35AM on Monday 9th April the activists parked outside Roxel and blocked the gates using a lock-on tube. Others requested that they be allowed access to inspect the site and question the directors. They unfurled banners reading “Site closed for weapons inspection” and “Roxel: stop arming Saudi”. Some took part in a prayer service remembering the thousands of victims of the war in Yemen. The group allege that Roxel are manufacturing propulsion systems for Brimstone air-to-surface missiles which are to be delivered to Saudi Arabia. The protesters aimed to deliver evidence of Roxel’s alleged weapons deal and of Saudi war crimes against the people of Yemen. They are calling upon the British government to stop supplying export licenses for British arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

Civil war has been raging in Yemen – one of the world’s poorest countries – for over three years. As of October 2017, hospitals in Yemen reported almost 9000 casualties and over 50,000 injuries. The UN says that more than 60% of civilian deaths have been the result of air strikes led by the Royal Saudi Air Force. The impacts of the conflict have been catastrophic. Yemen is experiencing the world’s largest cholera outbreak. About 22 million people – 75% of the population – are in need of humanitarian assistance. The UN calls the situation the world’s worst man-made humanitarian disaster.

The People’s Weapons Inspectors, including members of Put Down The Sword and London Catholic Worker, decided that they had to act when on the 12th March 2018 an order in progress for one thousand Brimstone missiles for Tornado jets appeared on the SIPRI* Arms Transfer Database. Now, dozens of police are attending the scene and many workers are unable to fully access the site and continue their work building missiles.

In a pre-recorded statement Nick Cooper, 36, said, “We already knew that Roxel and MBDA had manufactured Saudi orders for missiles in the run up to the war on Yemen and that the Saudi’s Tornado jets had recently been fitted to carry Brimstone missiles. When we saw what looked to be a large Brimstone order appear on the SIPRI database we knew we had to act.” 

Jo Frew, 39, who requested to question the directors, 39, said: “By licensing arms sales to Saudi Arabia, the British government is escalating the conflict. We felt compelled to act. We call upon the British government to refuse applications to licence further arms sales to Saudi Arabia.”

*SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute)

Notes

Anti Trident activists arrested on 50th anniversary of assassination of Martin Luther King

Based on report from Bill Ofenloch

‘On the evening April 4, the fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., seven Catholic peace activists entered Kings Bay naval base for a nuclear disarmament action aimed at the Trident submarines which are based there. Most come from Catholic Worker backgrounds.

They are: Mark Colville, Amistad CW, New Haven, Clare Grady, Peter DeMott House, Ithaca, NY Martha Hennessy, from Vermont and Maryhouse CW, NYCSteve Kelly, S.J. from Oakland CAElizabeth McAllister from Jonah House, Baltimore MDPatrick O’Neill, Fr. Charlie Mullholland CW, Garner NC, Carmen Trotta, St. Joseph House, NYC

The seven entered the base as darkness fell and walked to three different sites, the nuclear weapons storage bunkers, the nuclear weapons administration building and a monument site with replica missiles. They hung banners and poured blood, spray painted, put up crime scene tape and hammered on the missile display.  They managed to send out some photos and videos before being apprehended in the early morning.

The activists were taken to Camden county jail the next day. On Friday morning they were given a bond hearing via video link to the courtroom where there were 6 supporters. They face three state charges, two felonies and one misdemeanor.  They are facing a maximum 11 years in prison.  The magistrate refused to give any bond on the felonies because the defendants posed a risk to the community of repeating their action, she claimed.’

The seven ploughshares activists statement

Find out how to support the Kings Bay Plowshares on The Nuclear Resister 

Kings Bay Plowshares Facebook Page

MiChA witness at small arms factory

On Wednesday 7th March, Midlands Christian Action held their first prayer vigil outside the premises of Heckler& Koch in Nottingham. Sr. Katrina Alton writes,

‘Set in the middle of Easter Park industrial park, sandwiched between a church and the university, Unit3 remains blank on the notice board. But as you can see from the high fences, razor wire and security cameras they are certainly there, and in the  business of producing assaults rifles and sub-machine guns to be exported to Bahrain, Qatar & UAE.
Witnessing at the entrance to the site at 5pm meant commuters on the tram could see our banner, and there were a number of pedestrians and cyclists using the pathway too.’

Heckler & Koch is a German-based weapons company which operates in the UK under the name NSAF Ltd.

It describes itself as a ‘world-wide leading company in small arms production’ and has been supplying weapons across the globe for the past 60 years, including pistols, assault rifles, submachine guns and sniper rifles. It currently manufactures the British Army’s primary assault rifle – the SA80.

In the run up to and during the Arab Spring it applied for UK arms export licences to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Oman.

Next MiCha Vigil : Wednesday 11th April 16.45, Meet at Gregory Street Tram Stop

I refuse to pay

 

[facebook url=”https://www.facebook.com/FaithResistNetworkUK/videos/581287658897125/” /]

Fr. Martin was in court on 28th February over a fine, resulting from a protest outside the DSEI arms fair in 2009. He was given 28 days to pay.

Martin said: “I am continuing this objection as an act of solidarity with all those who suffer injustice and violence as a result of the arms trade.” Friends including the Passionist Provincial Fr. John Kearns came to the court today to support Fr. Martin.

In case you missed it, here he is speaking outside the court.

It was covered by the Birmingham Mail here

Now is the time to protest

img_0473

Ash Wednesday witness against nuclear weapons at the Ministry of Defence

Early in the morning of Ash Wednesday, Fr. Martin Newell, a Passionist, and Ray Towey of Catholic Peace Network marked the wall of the Ministry of Defence with messages in charcoal .

Fr. Martin wrote, ‘Repent! Sign nukes ban treaty now ‘ and ‘God says No Trident’ before the police stopped him. Ray Towey started to draw a cross by the entrance before the police stopped him.

The pair were stopped and searched and then released. They joined Pax Christi later the same day for the yearly liturgy and witness against nuclear weapons.

Fr Martin commented, ‘ With Trump and North Korea it would be a bad year not to mark the Ministry of Defence. ‘

‘Some of us were at the Ministry of Defence here in London this morning, to continue the traditional ashing of foreheads with the marking of the ‘head’ of the UK military. The MoD is half of the UK equivalent of the Pentagon.’

The tradition of marking the building with charcoal is rooted in the Catholic tradition of marking foreheads with ashes, at the beginning of Lent.

[wpvideo xSXZOUpW ]

Eight No Faith In War day activists found not guilty

Activists stand outside Stratford Magistrates Court after hearing their charges were dismissed

Nora Ziegler, Henrietta Cullinan, Jo Frew and Chris Cole celebrate the not guilty verdict outside Stratford Magistrates Court

In an exciting two days for the London Catholic Worker and Put Down the Sword, eight activists have received not guilty verdicts, after appearing in court on charges of wilful obstruction of the highway. The charges follow their direct action protest during the installation of the DSEI arms fair in London’s docklands last September.

The first group obstructed the road using lock-on boxes and the second group used climbing equipment to lower themselves from a road bridge. The intention was to create a place for prayer and peace while disrupting the passage of equipment into the Excel London exhibition centre.

District Judge Hamilton accepted that their actions were reasonable in the circumstances. In giving his verdict, the judge said their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly under Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights must be upheld.

The court heard how during the No Faith in War day of protest, four Christian activists  blocked the road using wooden boxes with arms tubes and lock ons. They were arrested after a matter of minutes, and the police took a further 90 minutes to free them.

The defendants Nora Ziegler (28), Joanna Frew (38), Henrietta Cullinan(56) and Chris Cole (54) each said they had campaigned for many years against the arms trade.

In their defence, Nora Ziegler and Jo Frew spoke movingly of how they each provided accommodation for destitute asylum seekers fleeing from the very conflicts exacerbated by the arms trade. Chris Cole told the court of a time when he had met a student from South Sudan, where traditional cattle rustling has become lethal since the introduction of weapons. Henrietta Cullinan told the judge of a time when she experienced first hand the militarisation of police in Calais, France, when riot police armed with tear gas and pepper spray prevented NGOs handing out food to refugees.

In the second trial that followed immediately from the first, Sam Donaldson, Louis Durton, Tom Franklin (59), and Nick Cooper of Put Down the Sword defended their protest that took place later on the same day. They showed the court extensive correspondence with their MPs about the arms trade, which had been to no avail.

You can read more about their trial here and the circumstances of their arrest here

In the media

UK campaigners just won a major legal victory against the world’s arms industry

Judge acquits protesters who blocked road to DSEI arms fair

DSEI London arms fair protestors acquitted as judge concedes actions were reasonable

Christians on trial for DSEI arms fair action

IMG_3002Eight arms trade protestors will appear in court this week , (1st and 2nd February) to answer charges of obstruction of the highway, following their actions during the installation of the DSEI Arms Fair in September last year. The members of Christian anti-war groups, the London Catholic Worker, Put Down the Sword and Pax Christi, were arrested on the NoFaithInWar day during a week of protest outside the Excel Centre in London’s docklands.

The defendants blocked the road, with the aim of creating a space for prayer and reflection, at the same time as preventing tanks and weaponry from entering the Excel centre. Four of the defendants suspended themselves from an access bridge and the others, using arms tubes and boxes, lay in the road. Meanwhile faith groups including Quakers, Pax Christi, Fellowship of Reconciliation and the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship, prayed and bore witness.

Nicholas Cooper (36), Sam Donaldson (29), Luis Durton, Tom Franklin (59), Henrietta Cullinan (56), Nora Ziegler (28), Chris Cole (53) and Joanna Frew (38) are among over 100 people who were arrested for peacefully protesting against the DSEI arms fair last September.

DSEI takes place every two years in London. It brings some of the world’s most oppressive regimes together with many of the biggest arms companies. It is organised by Clarion Events and the UK Government. Last year buyers included delegations from countries involved in conflict and human rights abusing regimes, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Pakistan and Azerbaijan. They were joined by over 1500 arms companies, selling weapons that ranged from rifles to tanks, fighter jets, battleships, missiles, surveillance and riot control equipment.

Defendant Tom Franklin,59, of Clifton Without, York said: “The DSEI arms fair is a key element in the promotion of war and crimes against humanity. Companies are selling weapons to regimes that are using them to kill civilians and torture and oppress. The government is promoting sales of weapons to some of the worst abusers of human rights such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Israel.”

Defendant Nora Ziegler, 28, writes “The reason I took part in blocking the DSEI arms fair was to publicly witness to my faith in God’s love and my refusal to put faith in the institutions of war and oppression. I want to challenge the myth that the arms trade and war are inevitable or necessary and do what I can, in the spirit of non-violence, to resist these evils.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Please contact Nora Ziegler at londoncatholicworker@yahoo.co.uk 07923697218 or Tom Franklin at tom@franklin-consulting.co.uk 07989948221

Further information on faith groups involved

 

londoncatholicworker.org

@LndnCathWorker

putdownthesword.wordpress.com

@PutDownTheSword

More information about the DSEI arms fair can be found at:

Stop the Arms Fair: www.stopthearmsfair.org.uk/about/dsei/

Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT): www.caat.org.uk

Holy Innocents at the Catholic Worker Farm

38479661315_53dccc696b_z

Feast of Holy Innocents 2017: vigil at PJHQ Northwood

Shortly after Christmas, The Catholic Worker Farm hosted a faith and resistance retreat for the Feast of Holy Innocents. They were joined by members of the Dover Catholic Worker, Put Down the Sword, and Fr Martin Newell from Austin Smith House in Birmingham.

The Feast of Holy Innocents remembers the moment of the nativity story when Herod, having been double crossed by the Magi who slip home by another route, is so angry he sends out a decree that all first born sons under the age of two should be killed. (Matthew 2 vv12 – 18)

‘A voice was heard in Rama, lamentation and great mourning; it was Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be comforted, because none is left.’

The retreatants came together to reflect on the story and ask who are the Herods of today, who are the Holy Innocents.

On the day of the Feast itself they processed to PJHQ Northwood for a vigil. They read aloud the names of the dead from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Syria, Libya and South Sudan. They also read names of British servicemen who died in those wars. They tied ribbons to the fence, in the shape of crosses. They engaged some of the military personnel in dialogue.

This is a wonderful opportunity for reflection and mourning at one of the usually most joyful times of the year, when Love comes down from his Kingdom.

24492830917_9a3ee73c10_z

Prayers for today’s Holy Innocents, the victims of today’s wars

27580250139_0dd334fb8e_z

Outside PJHQ Northwood: Blessed are the Peacemakers

38649207884_9fe3f113fd_z

Catholic Workers engage the military outside PJHQ Northwood

39356688111_054c7a898d_z

Tying crosses made of ribbons onto the fence at PJHQ Northwood