tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10092647947907928692024-03-14T02:22:35.120+00:00three little dogs human rights blogJustin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-52433794820755727372021-07-03T10:34:00.001+00:002021-07-03T10:34:47.404+00:00Letter from young Israeli Resister<p>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">My name is
Eran, I’m 19 years old and I live in Tel Aviv. I refuse to be
conscripted to the Israeli military becuase I am not willing to take
part in the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. <strong>I already served 14 days in military jail and last Sunday I was sentenced to another 20 days in jail</strong>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 20px;"><em><a href="https://refusersolidarity.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=766e8a32ffe12bdef97341bb9&id=81c035f9cd&e=62552f4fbc" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>Write Eran a letter of support</strong></a></em></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">From a very
early age, I strove to understand the political situation in Israel and
the power relations between Israelis and Palestinians. After researching
the topic I came to understand the daily reality of Palestinians living
under the Israeli occupation. The more I learned about the blockade of
Gaza and the lack of basic human rights for Palestinians in the West
Bank the more clear it was to me that I cannot agree to become a soldier
and take part in the oppression of the Palestinian people. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">In my
statement to the army’s Committee for Granting Exemptions for Reasons of
Conscience, I declared my reasons for my refusal of military service: </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong id="docs-internal-guid-056c1b9a-7fff-7bc9-ced9-318160bea545">I
refuse because I believe it is immoral and unreasonable to hold the
Palestinian people under military control and blockade without granting
them civil and political rights, and while violating their human rights
on an ongoing basis.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<p dir="ltr" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 125%; margin: 10px 0; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0; text-align: justify;"><strong id="docs-internal-guid-056c1b9a-7fff-7bc9-ced9-318160bea545">I refuse because I believe that all human beings should be governed by institutions that represent them. </strong></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 125%; margin: 10px 0; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0; text-align: justify;"><strong id="docs-internal-guid-056c1b9a-7fff-7bc9-ced9-318160bea545">I refuse because I believe that enlisting in the army legitimizes the occupation and serves it.</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 125%; margin: 10px 0; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0; text-align: justify;"><strong id="docs-internal-guid-056c1b9a-7fff-7bc9-ced9-318160bea545">I
refuse because I believe that Israel could and should end the
occupation immediately whether by agreement, withdrawal, or by granting
citizenship to the Palestinian people and the establishment of a
bi-national state for both Palestinians and Israelis.</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 125%; margin: 10px 0; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; padding: 0; text-align: justify;"><strong id="docs-internal-guid-056c1b9a-7fff-7bc9-ced9-318160bea545">I
refuse because I respect the rules and norms of international law and
the international community, which reject the Israeli occupation.</strong></p>
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<span style="font-size: 20px;"><em><a href="https://refusersolidarity.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=766e8a32ffe12bdef97341bb9&id=1e3eff301d&e=62552f4fbc" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><strong>Write Eran a letter of support</strong></a></em></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">On the day
of my conscription I refused to be drafted and was sent to be tried in a
military court. One of the officers there told me he wanted to stop me
from going to jail and that he had a solution that would allow me to
serve by joining the Israeli police force, for my service. I agreed,
believing that in that way I could serve the country without taking a
part in the occupation. <br />
<br />
I was invited to an interview for the police forces in the national
headquarters in Sheikh Jarrah, in Occupied East Jerusalem. I refused
because I am not willing to invade Palestinian territories. As a result,
I was rejected by the police for being a conscientious objector and was
sent back to the military court. The officer who suggested I join the
police was angered by my “stubbornness” but said he would try to change
the police decision. I was called to another interview in West
Jerusalem. There, I was rejected for stating that I would not report or
use information regarding the Occupied Territories that I would receive
during my police service. I was tried once again in military court, and
was sentenced to jail for 14 days. <br />
<br />
<strong>After the military’s failed attempts to find a service position
for me that would not be against my conscience, my conclusion is that it
is not possible to serve in the military or the police without taking
part in the occupation. After 54 years the occupation has seeped into
all security positions in Israel. It is unavoidable and will only stop
once the occupation itself comes to an end.</strong><br />
<br />
In solidarity,<br />
<br />
Eran </div>
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<p> </p>Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-79861036102585304522021-01-28T20:23:00.001+00:002021-01-28T20:43:36.634+00:00Letter to President Joe Biden handed in at US Embassy Belfast<p><br /></p>
<p>Over 230 organizations from 17 countries signed up for a call to
action against the war in Yemen this week. Among them were the Peace
People who <a href="Dear Mr President,,Please accept my congratulations and best wishes in your work as President.,,I have two urgent requests to ask of you.,,l) Free Julian Assange.,,Please do all you can to free Julian Assange and release him to let him go home to his family.,,He has served long enough and his family long for his presence and his punishment to be ended.,,2) Save the Children of Yemen.,,Your Foreign Policy is causing death and starvation of thousands of Yemeni children as the ports are blocked and people cannot get food. Do not let history record again that powerful Governments played politics with little children’s lives. I implore you Mr. President to stop immediately with the UK Government the war on Yemini. Please end the arms sales to Saudi Arabia and make peace.,,Sadly more and more Yemeni children are being starved by warring parties whose blockades and bomb attacks have and continue to decimate their country.,,Please learn from Northern Ireland, and solve this horror of war on Yemen, through dialogue.,,Peace and Love,,Mairead Maguire,,Nobel Peace Laureate">handed in a letter </a>to
President Joe Biden at the US Embassy in Belfast on 26 January last.
The letter from Mairead Maguire asked for freedom for Julian Assange and
to save the children of Yemen by ending the US/UK support for the Saudi
led war there, to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia and make peace.</p>
<p>In a separate development, the Wall Street Journal on 27 January <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-freezes-u-s-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia-uae-11611773191">reported</a> that President Biden has suspended arms sales to Saudi Arabia temporarily. <br />
</p>
<p>Below is the letter handed in to the Embassy by Mairead, Ann Patterson and other Peace People:<br />
</p>
<p>"Dear Mr President</p>
<p>Please accept my congratulations and best wishes in your work as President.</p>
<p>I have two urgent requests to ask of you.</p>
<p>l) Free Julian Assange.</p>
<p>Please do all you can to free Julian Assange and release him to let him go home to his family.</p>
<p>He has served long enough and his family long for his presence and his punishment to be ended.</p>
<p>2) Save the Children of Yemen.</p>
<p>Your Foreign Policy is causing death and starvation of thousands of
Yemeni children as the ports are blocked and people cannot get food. Do
not let history record again that powerful Governments played politics
with little children’s lives. I implore you Mr. President to stop
immediately with the UK Government the war on Yemen. Please end the
arms sales to Saudi Arabia and make peace.</p>
<p>Sadly more and more Yemeni children are being starved by warring
parties whose blockades and bomb attacks have decimated and continue to decimate
their country.</p>
<p>Please learn from Northern Ireland, and solve this horror of war on Yemen, through dialogue.</p>
<p>Peace and Love</p>
<p>Mairead Maguire</p>
<p>Nobel Peace Laureate"</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.peacepeople.com/a-letter-from-nobel-laureate-mairead-maguire-to-president-biden-free-julian-assange-end-the-war-on-yemen/">http://www.peacepeople.com/a-letter-from-nobel-laureate-mairead-maguire-to-president-biden-free-julian-assange-end-the-war-on-yemen/ </a><br /></p>
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<p> </p>Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-15313598248835075012021-01-04T12:28:00.002+00:002021-01-04T12:28:49.286+00:00Great News about Julian Assange<p>Julian will NOT BE EXTRADITED to the USA, a judge has ruled. </p><p> </p><p>https://www.thejournal.ie/assange-2-5315374-Jan2021/ </p><p><br /></p><p>Judge Vanessa Baraitser decided today that Julian Assange will not be extradited to the USA to face charges there.</p><p>The judge made her decision on health grounds. Because of Julian's mental state it would be oppressive to extradite him, she said.</p><p>Supporters outside the court as seen on Sky News appeared to be wild with excitement.</p><p>His legal team are to apply for bail this afternoon while the prosecution are expected to appeal the decision.<br /></p>Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-20742924225842572532020-12-13T00:45:00.001+00:002021-01-04T11:38:45.958+00:00Carmen Trotta Goes to Prison tomorrow<p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">C</span><span style="font-size: medium;">armen
Trotta (58) will not spend </span><span style="font-size: medium;">this
</span><span style="font-size: medium;">Christmas looking after
the needs of the poor in St Joseph's Catholic Worker House in
Ithaca New York </span><span style="font-size: medium;">where
he lives and works. On 12 December 2020 he will be brought to prison in
FCI Ottsville, NY to start a 14 month sentence in the middle of a raging pandemic. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Carmen
is well known to Irish anti-war activists as he directed the public
marches o</span><span style="font-size: medium;">f</span><span style="font-size: medium;">
supporters from O’Connell St to the Four Courts in Dublin during
the </span><span style="font-size: medium;">3 t</span><span style="font-size: medium;">rials
of the </span><span style="font-size: medium;">five</span><span style="font-size: medium;">
Pitstop Ploughshares in 20</span><span style="font-size: medium;">05
and 2006.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the
early morning of 4 April 2018, </span>with 6 other protestors
(the Kings Bay 7) he entered Kings Bay nuclear submarine base in Georgia to “beat swords into plowshares”.
</span><span style="font-size: medium;">All seven were
sentenced in the course of the past year. In Ireland, the Pitstop
Ploughshares successfully defended their own similar actions at Shannon airport on the plea of
lawful excuse and were acquitted by a jury; the Kings Bay Seven
Plowshares were denied the same defence in the USA.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">For </span><span style="font-size: medium;">C</span><span style="font-size: medium;">armen’s
moving address to the court after his sentencing see below
{subheadings added].</span>
</p><p><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Child of the Vietnam War</span></u></p>
<p>In my opening declaration to the court, I remarked that I’m a
child of the Vietnam war, and my primary reason to go to college was
to discover who was telling the truth about the war in Vietnam and
the reasons for which we fought it. I’m only like 18 years old.
It was in college that I first heard Rev. King’s “Beyond Vietnam”
speech, and in a way, that was the saddest day of my life.
</p>
<p>It also redirected my life.
</p>
<p>The proof was simple enough. As King explained it, by 1954 the
United States was paying for 80 percent of the French effort to
recolonize Vietnam. Then and there, I learned that the U.S. has no
more noble reason to be there than the colonizers we sought to
replace. Then did I begin a journey that has led me to my presence
before the court today.</p>
<p><u>“<span style="font-size: medium;">Extensive Criminal
Record”</span></u></p>
<p>I was told by the prosecution that I have an extensive criminal
record, and when I heard this, I was dumbstruck. I didn’t think I
had any criminal record, but I did at some point come to understand
that I had 20/30 arrests, but in my mind they were all justified.
Every one of my actions has been a reaction to an American war crime.</p>
<p>Moreover, in every instance, my arrests were for acts of
nonviolent civil disobedience or civil resistance. Let me say,
unambiguously, that in all of my extensive criminal history, I have
never raised a hand in anger and violence against another. In court,
I had mentioned my concern that the “institutional memory of the
court is perverse.”</p>
<p>The court knows where and when I was arrested, what the charges
were and what I was sentenced to. But nothing of the context within
which I was arrested: and context is everything. We may remember in
our own trial, Mark Colville was confronted with the notion that what
he had done was like running a red light – a straight forward
violation of the law. But there are times when, in a particular
context, anyone in their right mind would run a red light, as for
instance the several times I rushed my ailing father to the hospital,
saving his life.</p>
<p><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Nonviolent Responses to
Concerns of Conscience</span></u></p>
<p>So as regards war crimes, I’ve run a lot of red lights. To be
clear, this criminal has never assaulted anyone, never stolen
anything, has never threatened anyone. If convicted of disorderly
conduct, it was not for being drunk and urinating in the street. It
was for holding a banner in front of the White House and refusing to
move… unfortunately the court would not know what the banner said.</p>
<p>Notably, the longest sentence I’ve ever been given, prior to my
fifty days for the action at hand, was twelve days. So in short, all
of my arrests were deliberate, nonviolent responses to the concerns
of my conscience, which I hold to be a divine gift. It is not merely
a divine gift to me. It is to everyone. It is what makes a human.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Nicaragua – </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Reagan
and his “</span><span style="font-size: medium;">Co</span><span style="font-size: medium;">n</span><span style="font-size: medium;">tras”
</span><span style="font-size: medium;">Terrorist Militia 1986</span></u></p>
<p>My first incarceration was in 1986 in Des Moines, Iowa. A number
of Catholic Workers had joined a larger coalition petitioning then
Gov.Branstad to reject a federal request for the state’s National
Guard unit to go down to Honduras “to build roads.” In actual
fact, they would be building invasion corridors into Nicaragua for
the so called Contras, a terrorist militia adopted, funded, trained
and advised by the Reagan administration, to overthrow the first
democratically elected government in Nicaragua in more than 40 years.
Prior to the Sandinista revolution Nicaragua was a US client state,
under the despotic control of the Somoza family.</p>
<p>We should all be aware of the fact that the US has almost no
history of supporting democracy abroad.</p>
<p>Prior to our action, six states, under public pressure, had
refused federal requests to state National Guard units. We were
hoping to make Iowa the seventh. We went to the Capitol to meet with
the Governor, and he failed to show up. Some 25 of us decided to
remain in the office until he appeared. When the building closed for
the night the coalition members decided we would wait overnight.
Subsequently, state police entered the office to escort us out. I
went limp, and was incarcerated overnight.
</p>
<p>Days after the action, congressional legislation was passed making
it impossible to deny a federal request for a National Guard unit,
unless the Governor declared a state of emergency, the so-called
Montgomery Amendment.
</p>
<p><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Iran Contra Scandal
Exposed- Oliver North</span></u></p>
<p>So, my first arrest was in resistance to an act of American
terrorism which came to be know as the Iran Contra scandal. The most
active agent of the scandal was Lt. Col. Oliver North, a decorated
Vietnam veteran who moved into a secret office within the National
Security Council. Behind the back of congress and in violation of the
Boland Amendment of 1985, North solicited money from private donors
and various nations and turned a blind eye to money garnered from
shipments of crack cocaine, brought into the the United States via
drug cartels with ties to the Contras.</p>
<p>Eventually the scandal was exposed. Over a dozen government
officials were convicted of crimes. Oliver North was given a 3 year
suspended sentence for being a kingpin in an act of American
terrorism which kicked off a ten year war which took the lives of
30,000 people. All of those convicted were pardoned by the next
administration. Having never raised a hand in violence, it seems odd
to me that I’m destined to serve more prison time than Oliver
North.</p>
<p><u><span style="font-size: medium;">US War With Iraq and
Sanctions</span></u></p>
<p>Another war, indeed a series of wars that I responded to, were
related to Iraq. For 30 years now we have been bombing Iraq.</p>
<p>Despite the brutal, dictatorial rule of Saddam Hussein, the people
of Iraq managed to create a decent infrastructure. Before US
intervention and occupation, Iraq had top of the line hospitals;
child mortality rates were comparable to European nations; the
populace was supplied with clean safe water; illiteracy was basically
eradicated.
</p>
<p>But in 1991 American bombs systematically obliterated that
infrastructure. This was compounded by the most deadly regime of
economic sanctions in history. Prior to the war Iraq 70% of the
country’s food came from imports. The sanctions forbade UN member
states from selling any foodstuffs to Iraq, with the exception of
“humanitarian circumstances.” More the bombing destroyed nearly
every water treatment plant in the country. Chlorine, an essential
agent in water treatment facilities was deliberately sanctioned. This
was done with the full knowledge that water borne diseases would
result. Cholera and typhoid, previously almost non-existent, spiked
dramatically in the next few years.
</p>
<p><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Madeline Albright’s
Comment about 500,000 Children Dead</span></u></p>
<p>These were unconscionable policies! Deliberately targeting
civilian infrastructure, and men women and children.</p>
<p>More than 200,000 Iraqis perished by the end of the first Gulf
war. The Clinton administration then took the reins, and
persistently, if sporadically, continued bombing. In 1996, the UN
issued a report that 500,000 children below the age of 5 had died due
to the harsh sanctions imposed. Then Sec. of State Magdalene Albright
was questioned on this by Leslie Stahl on 60 Minutes: <b>“We have
heard that a half million children have died…I mean…that’s more
children than died in Hiroshima. And, you know, is the price worth
it?”</b></p><b>
</b><p><b>Albright responded:”I think this is a very hard choice, but the
price – we think the price is worth it.”</b></p>
<p>Albright never apologized for that statement.</p>
<p><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Protection of Dissent</span></u></p>
<p>So, this is my great dilemma: the conflict between my love of
country and my conscience and, what seems to be, the increasing
numbness of the nation's conscience.
</p>
<p>It still strikes me to hear the words “all men are created
equal,” and the words “certain God-given and inalienable rights.”
Rather obviously we have not lived up to these ideals. But somehow,
it is still music in my ear. It is this very conflict that has led me
to my actions and to this moment standing before you. I’ve read
some of your stuff Judge Wood, and I know that you have some regard
for the protection of dissent. Let us pray for the strength and
resilience of one another’s conscience. And I hope you develop a
relish for dissent.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p><style type="text/css">
p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }</style> <br /></p>Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-303169474103892152020-10-25T18:11:00.010+00:002020-10-29T23:26:06.199+00:00Colm Roddy and Dave Donnellan Not Guilty<p>
</p><p><br />
<span><img alt="Court Report: Colm Roddy Case Dismissed" class="rg_i Q4LuWd" data-atf="true" data-deferred="1" data-iml="996" height="184" 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" width="275" /></span></p>
<p><span><br />
</span></p>
<p><span>After four years five months and eighteen days,
the trials of peace activists Colm Roddy and Dave Donnellan have
ended with a Not Guilty verdict by a jury in the Circuit
Criminal Court in Dublin. They had been charged with criminal
damage to a fence and runway without lawful excuse, at Shannon
airport on 5 May 2016. Both Dave and Colm pleaded not guilty.
On Friday last, eleven men and one woman took less than two hours to give
their verdict.</span></p>
<p><span><b>The Long Wait </b><br />
</span></p>
<p><span>They have been in various courts some 36 days since the
day of their action. The years, months and days have been
punctuated with some bizarre episodes both inside and outside of
court. They had been banned from the whole of Co Clare at a
court in Gort, Co Galway.. They were both re-arrested on 18 November 2018
near the court room in Ennis to bring "new charges" against
them, based in part on an absurd change in the amount of damage from
€300 to €3500 (for cutting a hole in the fence and painting some
red crosses on the runway). Then, on that same day, the case
against Colm was dismissed. This decision was reversed by the
same judge on another day. And almost 4 years later a jury in
Dublin. in effect. has dismissed the State's action against both Colm
and Dave. The net result apart from the dogged and unnecessary
persecution of two very honourable citizens is enormous cost to
the State, faces redder than the crosses that were painted on
the runway, personal lives disrupted - and the message of the two peace
activists loudly proclaimed again and again, not least in their final
addresses to the jury on Friday last.</span></p>
<p><span><b>The Long Walk</b> <br />
</span></p>
<p><span>Time after time, the Irish
State had refused to search suspicious planes at Shannon, planes
that activists from local groups such as Shannonwatch knew were
carrying troops and arms to foreign wars. During the Iraq war
debacle even rendition planes had, disgracefully, passed through
Shannon; but when Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was challenged on the issue he told the Dáil </span><span>"I
looked at the great President Bush and I said to him, 'you know, I want
to be sure to be sure' and he assured me". Even today, US planes are
still carrying troops through Shannon airport to war. In the early morning
of 5 May 2016, Dave and Colm did their long courageous walk (45mins) along the runway to a
US Army Lear C-21 jet and requested its Irish minders, both military and
police, to do a search of the aircraft.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Reasons for the Action</b> <br />
</span></p>
<p><span>They gave their reasons to the jury in their
final addresses. Dave said that </span><span><span>he believed his prosecution for allegedly cutting
the fence shows “we have lost perspective on what's really
important.</span></span><span><span> I
believe what's really important is life itself. The life we
share with our loved ones and the life we share with people we
don’t know; people in Iraq and Libya and Syria and all the
other places affected by US-led wars. Their lives are as
important as our own. That's what took me into Shannon airport
four years ago." </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Colm said that the US military
has been using Shannon as an effective forward operating base
for over 17 years and he has been protesting about this since
then. Around 2.5 million US troops have transited through the
airport on their way to wars; and taxpayers’ money is being
used to pay overtime for army and garda officials to guard US
military planes at the airport. </span></span><span><span>Many of these US soldiers have come back in bits and
in boxes and are as much victims as the people who die in the
wars in countries in north Africa and the Middle East.</span></span><span><span> “As a citizen of Ireland I'm made
complicit in this destruction and torture. My actions show
that I will not meekly allow the State to make me complicit in
the murder. This is both a rational and reasonable position to
hold.” he said. He believed his actions had lawful excuse by
raising awareness of these issues.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Both Colm and Dave told the jury
that their actions on the day were a protest against the use
of Shannon airport by US military. They assert that the
presence of US military planes and troops is a breach of Irish
neutrality and has, according to international law, turned the
airport into a legitimate target for enemy combatants of the
US.
</span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><b>The State's Witnesses</b><br />
</span></span></span></span></p><span>
<p><span><span> Earlier in the trial the State
had produced several witnesses including Mark Reid</span></span><span><span>y, maintenance manager at the airport
who in reply to Colm said that the costs (€3500) were
estimated because the programme of works was ongoing and that
“that section of the fence has not been repaired yet”. He said
a suggestion that “you've spent no money on repairing the
fence” was correct.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Pat O'Brien of Airport Police in
reply to Dave said that he had seen the Law of War manual of
the US Department of Defence produced earlier in the week. He
did not agree that</span></span><span><span> the security at Shannon Airport was “laughable” (in
the light of that document)</span></span></p>
<p class="no_name selectionShareable"><span><span>Corporal </span></span><span>Thomas
Dillon told the jury that he and other officers were on duty
that night and were stationed beside a US plane. He told Mr
McGillicuddy (prosecuting) that “we stay on the ground until the
plane takes off” and remain for some time after take off in case
the plane needs to return to the airport.</span></p>
<span> </span>
<p class="no_name selectionShareable"><span>He said that
when he first saw two men approaching the plane at around 6am “I
thought my eyes were playing tricks” and he picked up binoculars
to view the men. One was carrying a flag and banner the other </span><span>a wooden cross.</span><span> He said he
warned both men to stop and that he and his colleagues had their
weapons behind their backs at all times. <br />
</span><span><br />
</span></p>
<p class="no_name selectionShareable"><span>In reply to Colm's suggestion that “the purpose
of the Irish armed forces at Shannon is to ensure that peace
activists like myself and Mr Donnellan don’t get near the
American planes you are guarding, to search or to damage [them]”, he</span><span> replied that Colm needed to put this question to
somebody in governmen</span><span>t </span><br />
<span>
</span>
</p>
<p><span><b>Judge and Jury</b> <br />
</span></p>
<p><span>At the end of the trial, Judge Karen O'Connor,
instructing the jury, said: “You must decide whether they (Dave
and Colm) believed their actions to be justified. It does not
matter if the belief is justified or not, as long as Mr Roddy
and Mr Donnellan honestly hold the belief,”</span></p>
<p><span>When they returned the Not Guilty verdict, Judge
O'Connor thanked them for diligently carrying out their duties
especially in the midst of a pandemic and she graciously thanked the
defendants (who are lay litigants) and their legal</span><span> advisors,
(Mc Kenzie Friends Seán Ryan and Raymond Walker) for their courtesy and dignity throughout the trial.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Statements from Dave and Colm</b></span></p>
<p><span>After the event, Dave Donnellan said: <span><span>“Our
actions were faith based. As Irish citizens we felt compelled as a
matter of conscience to highlight Irish Government complicity in war
crimes and it is a matter of deep regret to us that this complicity is
still ongoing almost daily since 2001".</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>An equally modest and
sobering comment came from Colm Roddy: “The result of this trial gives
us no cause for celebration. Our peaceful non-violent actions in May
2016 were undertaken to highlight Irish complicity and participation in
US wars in the Middle East that have caused the deaths of millions of
people in the Middle East, including the deaths of up to one million
children since the First Gulf War in 1991" <br />
</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>The decision of the
jury rested eventually on whether or not they had lawful excuse under
Irish law to carry out their action. They had. <br />
</span></span></span></p>
<p><span>Another interesting aspect of the case was the fact that the
prosecution were not allowed to make a closing address to the jury because of
a legal rule which applies when the defendant is a lay
litigant and does not call any witnesses.</span></p>
<p><span><span><span>Sources: Declan
Brennan (for Limerick Leader and Irish Times), Indymedia Ireland,
Shannonwatch, Partners in Faith (including picture), Edward Horgan (email), The World News,
court observers and others.
</span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span>
LINKS: <a href="https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/news/583656/peace-activists-found-not-guilty-of-causing-criminal-damage-at-shannon-airport.html">limerickleader</a>
</span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><a href="https://www.shannonwatch.org/?q=content/not-guilty-verdict-trial-peace-activists-colm-roddy-and-dave-donnellan">shannonwatch</a>
<a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/circuit-court/shannon-airport-peace-activists-acquitted-of-unlawful-damage-1.4389656">irish times</a>
<a href="https://theworldnews.net/ie-news/head-of-airport-police-denies-peace-activist-s-assertion-that-security-at-shannon-is-laughable">theworldnews</a> <a href="http://www.partnersinfaith.ie/new/index.php/justice/anti-war">partners in faith</a><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p></span><p></p><span></span><p></p>Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-22986214909791115192020-10-20T21:56:00.001+00:002020-10-20T22:05:25.148+00:00Patrick O'Neill Sentenced<p><br /></p><p><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-9107" height="300" src="http://www.nukeresister.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/904464_104772246377722_135426146_o-2-234x300.jpg" width="234" /></p>
<p><br /><br />On Friday last, 16 October, Patrick O'Neill was sentenced in Georgia to 14 months in prison for a non-violent protest In Kings Bay Trident Nuclear Base on 4 April 2018. He is the third of the Kings Bay 7 to be convicted.<br /><br />One by one these defendants, all of whose actions are faith based, have been making powerful statements about their witness - so powerful that they cannot but impress those of us who are not faith based. They have also lifted a veil on court proceedings for those who were not present there. In the case of Patrick O'Neill who was one of four who opted for bail, he also exposed the cruelty of US ankle monitoring.<br /><br />His statement is packed with challenging one-liners: <br /><br />"Although the base commander testified that he would neither confirm nor deny that Trident is a weapon of mass destruction, it is common knowledge"; "in this courtroom, the fact that Trident is a diabolical death machine has been deemed irrelevant"; "If the Trident D-5 missiles are ever launched and millions of people die, including many of you who reside here at the center of Ground Zero, one fact will remain clear: No laws were broken". "Rather than criminals, we are Messengers, just like the abolitionists were in the face of legalized slavery, or pacifists who went to prison rather than kill"; Historically, the Boston Tea Party and biblically, Jesus cleansing the temple of the money-changers, both involved damage to property to make a point and to challenge injustice" "So, off to jail and prison we go, all 7 of us thrice convicted felons" "I think the message we brought to Kings Bay and to this court is painful to hear, and unthinkable to contemplate". "... you, Judge Wood, in perhaps the only time you expressed your personal opinion during the trial, said Trident is probably not unlawful" "Giving agency to Trident submarines and their cargo of nuclear weapons of mass destruction carried the day over our sincere religious intentions. So our jury never heard any evidence about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act".<br /><br />To Irish people who find Covid-19 lock downs intolerable the following account of how gentle pacifists were ankle monitored and surveilled in the USA for two and a half years will make stark reading:<br /><br />"From Day 1 of our arraignment, this court has taken a very hard line against the 7 of us, and for more than 2 and one half years now that punitive policy has been unrelenting.<br /><br />"First came a high cash bond, house arrest and ankle monitors; justified by claims that we were a danger to community safety. Requests for loosening those restrictions were mostly denied. Since my release from the Glynn County jail in the spring of 2018, my life has been under the daily management of my probation officer, Woody King, who I personally like and have gotten to know. However, he treats me like a teenager, not an adult.<br /><br />"When Woody stopped by my house as I was taking out the trash, he said, 'Mr. O’Neill, you’re supposed to be in your house.'<br /><br />“ 'I’m just taking out the trash,' I replied.<br /><br />'Tell Mary to do that,' Woody said. I’m not sure that was the way Magistrate Stan Baker saw my house arrest, but that´s what Woody thought.<br /><br />"When I had my first meeting with Woody and his supervisor, I was told I was allowed to go to Mass on Sunday, but I was not permitted to stay after Mass to share a cup of coffee with my faith community. I was only allowed out for two hours on Sundays.<br /><br />"In addition, my more than two years under supervised house arrest and curfew will not count toward my sentence, despite the fact that I have now spent more than 400 days (thatś 400 24-hour days) confined to my house.<br /><br />"Three times since my release under these strict conditions I have had my children hospitalized outside the Eastern District of N.C., so I was unable to get permission to visit with them because of my home confinement, even though the Chapel Hill hospital was just 35 minutes from my home. <br /><br />"When I told Woody my daughter Brianna was in the hospital with postpartum complications following the birth of my grandson, Luke, Woody said coldly, matter of factly, he could not approve the hospital visit. He never said anything kind or comforting about my daughter’s plight or ever asked again about her well being.<br /><br />"Like your families need you, my family needs me. The harsh conditions of pre-trial and post-trial release were hard on all 14 of us — Mary and I, our 8 children, two grandchildren and two sons-in law. I think it is clear that all seven of the Kings Bay Plowshares are honorable people who devote our lives to making the world a more peaceful, loving and safe place".<br /><br />The full text of Patrick's statement and that of his daughter Bernadette Naro can be found at <a href="http://www.nukeresister.org">http://www.nukeresister.org<br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-73778617157954756582020-10-16T17:51:00.006+00:002020-10-16T17:56:41.547+00:00Steve Kelly sentenced to 32 months<p>Plowshares activist Fr Steve Kelly was sentenced today to 32 months in prison for his part in the protest action in Kings Bay Nuclear submarine base on 4-5 April 2018.</p><p>He is the second defendant to be sentenced - already Liz McAlister had received a 3 year sentence for her part in the same action: declaring Trident weapons a crime.</p><p>Neither Steve nor Liz will be too perturbed by the ridiculously long sentences as they both have been in prison awaiting trial In effect Liz was sentenced to "time served" - to be followed by "supervision"! (she is 80 years of age); Steve(59) may have to serve 3 months and will probably refuse supervision.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Liz's daughter, Frida Berrigan, made a statement of love and support at the sentencing of her mother. It is not just a beautiful, heart-rending tribute from a daughter, it is also a brilliant defence of non-violent action and a powerful indictment of the system of oppression and inequity which her mother Elizabeth fought against non-violently throughout her life. Everything is there: George Floyd's murder, jogger Ahmaud Armery's murder, Martin Luther King's inspirational targetting of racism-militarism-materialism, the $720+ billion spend on the military during a pandemic, poverty, the brokenness of every fiber of the social safety net: because her Mom has wed her anti-racist philosophy with her anti-nuclear analysis. </span> <span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">For her "Black Lives Matter" and "Trident is a Crime" may be one and the same.</span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Steve Kelly, a priest coming from the same faith base as Liz, had a character witness, Dennis Apel, who made a similarly resounding statement to the court. </span><br /></h4><div>
<div>"I
am no stranger to the typical U.S. courtroom where the 'law' is treated
as God while justice takes a back seat" he said "where even the most fundamental
morals are ignored for the sake of upholding the system designed to
maintain idolatry to the Pentagon; where witnesses are sworn in with the
admonition 'to speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the
truth so help you God' and then [are] essentially gagged in front of a jury of
their peers through motions <i>In Limine</i>, denied the ability to speak the
truth about why they did what they did, the horrors they are confronting
and the spirituality behind their actions. ... In what kind of system could a person
with the spirituality, conviction and love of God’s children that Fr.
Steve Kelly has, be dismissed as a criminal and left to languish for two
and a half years in a county jail, while his basic message is expunged
in the courtroom; the message that the most horrific and abominable
weapons designed by human technology... are allowed to exist and proliferate.</div>
<div><br />
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>"Fr.
Steve Kelly is a man of deep faith who speaks truth to power and
accepts the consequences. That is his character. Any other assessment of
his character is false. I know this because I have known Steve for
decades. He has spent more than 10 years of his life behind bars, giving
up the warm embrace and camaraderie of loved ones as well as the
comforts of a truly-accessible easy life, to instead speak the truth
that God sees nuclear weapons as an abomination. I defy anyone in this
courtroom to make a case for a God who embraces weapons of
indiscriminate destruction and human misery. It’s not complicated. We
who accept nuclear weapons are wrong, wrong, wrong. Fr. Steve just says
that with his life and body. That is his character. He has taken up his
cross to follow Jesus, pure and simple. We dismiss that fact at our own
peril. ..."<br /></div>
<div><br />
</div>
</div><p>All of this seems a long distance from the days when Cardinal Spellman visited the US troops in Vietnam in December 1966 and told them that what America expected was total victory. </p><p>Or maybe not. Pope Paul VI rebuked Spellman for his warmongering. Also the same Cardinal Spellman condemned the Berrigan brothers, Philip and Dan for their anti-war activity, </p><p>And just by coincidence, Liz McAlister is Philip Berrigan's wife and Frida Berrigan is their daughter<br /></p><p> Five more Kings Bay Plowshare defendants await sentencing.</p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p>Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-55843879139731915832020-09-21T20:09:00.003+00:002020-09-21T20:09:24.408+00:00Apology for lacuna: For some unknown reason I have been unable to post to this site since November 2019. Apologies to readers.Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-76305859102970093402019-11-06T11:47:00.004+00:002019-11-06T11:47:41.568+00:00Letter to Queen Elizabeth II re Julian Assange<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="moz-text-plain" lang="x-unicode" style="font-family: -moz-fixed; font-size: 12px;" wrap="true">
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap="">Dear Queen Elizabeth
In the Summer of 2012 I wrote to you asking for your intervention on
humanitarian grounds in the case of Ms Marion Price in Northern
Ireland. In my correspondence I made it clear that as a pacifist I had
publicly opposed the violence of the IRA (and of all armies) but that Ms
Price was gravely ill in prison and was in danger of imminent death
without some intervention.
You graciously replied to my plea informing me that you had passed it on
to the Northern Ireland Secretary of State for consideration - and in
the event Ms Price was released. Again I thank you sincerely for your
intervention on humanitarian grounds.
Now I have another request.
It is for Mr Julian Assange, a non-violent whistleblower who revealed
among other matters that some serious atrocities were committed by the
US forces during the war in Iraq. On 1 May this year he was sentenced to
fifty weeks in prison for skipping bail on an entirely different charge
in Sweden - a charge that was later withdrawn. The judge stipulated
that he was to serve only half of that sentence. His term expired on 22
September past but he has not been freed. He fears extradition to the
USA where he faces a maximum sentence of 170 years for charges under the
Espionage Act.
Throughout his incarceration Mr Assange has been kept in solitary
confinement for 23 hours of every day. I am informed that he has had
but one half hour of fresh air per day and one half hour to "compete"
with other inmates for the use of a telephone. I believe that if this
is true, it constitutes unusual and inhuman punishment for a non-violent
truth teller, especially given the fact that he had already spent almost
seven years without fresh air in the Ecuadorian embassy and that his
health is delicate.
Since 22 September it would have been expected as normal for a prisoner
in his situation to have the ordinary rights of prisoners restored to
him but I understand that this has not happened.
In light of this my request should normally have been twofold:
(1) that you would exercise the royal prerogative of mercy to release
this non-violent prisoner forthwith and
(2) that you would appeal to his captors to treat him humanely and
with respect while he is in their care and allow him all of the
privileges accorded to other prisoners of whatever category.
However, I understand that the royal prerogative is in the gift of the
Home Secretary and given that he (the Home Secretary) has already signed
the indictment to start the process of Julian's prosecution in the
United States, there appears to be little hope that he would request a
royal prerogative for mercy.
I am appealing to you therefore, as a person endowed with humanity and a
sense of justice, to intervene solely on a matter of
administration; and, insofar as it is in your power, to ensure that the
harsh conditions that continue to be imposed on Mr Assange in Belmarsh
prison are relaxed significantly so that from now on he will be treated
humanely and with respect, on an equal footing with every other
prisoner, during his sojourn there.
Thanking you
With best personal wishes
Justin Morahan
Human rights activist and pacifist </pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""> </pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap="">[Address attached to letter </pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap="">Sent by post, 10/10/2019]
</pre>
</div>
</div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-34835901340838461682019-10-25T00:40:00.001+00:002019-10-25T00:40:50.340+00:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<center>
Breaking News Shock<br />
</center>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Kings Bay Plowshares 7
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Found Guilty on All Counts
</h2>
<br />BRUNSWICK, GA – More than 18 months after they snuck onto the site of
one of the largest known collections of nuclear weaponry in the world, a
jury found the Kings Bay Plowshares 7 guilty of all four of the charges
brought against them.
<br />
The defendants face more than 20 years in prison for destruction and
depredation of government property in excess of $1,000, trespassing, and
conspiracy.<br />
<br />
“<b>The Pentagon has many installations – and we just walked out of one
of them,” Colville said outside the courthouse. “It’s a place where they
weaponize the law. And they wield it mostly against the poor, the
people who have all the red lined neighborhoods in this county know that
very well.
</b><br />
<b>
</b><b>"And once in a while the people who are privileged like us get a
taste of it. And when we do we should hear the word guilty as a blessing
on us because it gives us an opportunity to stand with people who hear
guilty all the time every day</b>.”
<br />
<br />
The seven expect to be sentenced in 60 to 90 days. Until then, six of
them have been released under bond conditions each had prior to trial. <br />
<br />
Late at night on April 4, 2018 Mark Colville, Clare Grady, Martha
Hennessy, Fr. Steve Kelly, S.J., Elizabeth McAlister, Patrick O’Neill,
and Carmen Trotta used a bolt cutter to enter a remote gate at Naval
Base Kings Bay in St. Mary’s GA. They walked two miles through swamp and
brush. They then split into three groups and prayed, poured blood,
spray painted messages against nuclear weapons, hammered on parts of a
shrine to nuclear missiles, hung banners, and waited to be arrested.<br />
<br />
<br />
During the course of the trial, which began Monday morning, the
defendants and their supporters had expressed pleasure with the
unexpected amount of information they had been able to provide to the
jury about their reasons for undertaking their protest. Federal Judge
Lisa Godbey Wood had issued an order late last Friday night restricting
any evidence or testimony having to do with a necessity defense,
international law and treaties restricting nuclear weaponry, and
religious and moral reasons. <br />
<br />
<br />
“I really think that the verdict was, frankly, reactionary,” Carmen Trotta
told supporters outside the courthouse. “They (the jurors) heard a lot.
The judge allowed them to hear a lot. And it’s a little frightening that
nuclear weapons could be hidden in plain sight. We have to understand
that we are a remnant.… We remain a remnant of the spirit that I think
was stronger in our country at other periods on time.
<br />
<br />
<b>“But we all know which way the wind is blowing. There’s the Black
Lives Matter movement. There’s the Extinction Rebellion. There’s the Me
Too movement. There’s an activist community waiting just behind us.” </b><br />
<br />
<b>(With thanks and solidarity to the Kings Bay Plowshares) </b><br />
<em><br /></em></div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-14564039825685581202019-10-25T00:04:00.000+00:002019-10-25T00:04:02.315+00:00Kings Bay Plowshares Trial Day 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
(Report and illustration courtesy of Catholic Worker)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
Both the government and the defence finished their
testimony yesterday at 5 p.m. in the Kings Bay Plowshares 7 anti-nuclear
weapons case. <br />
<br />
Defendants were able to say much more than had been expected after
the wide “in limine” restrictions established late last week before
trial.<br />
<br />
They spoke about their strong faith motivations and their
knowledge of the horrendous effects of nuclear weapons, and read
portions of documents they had carried onto the Kings Bay submarine base
in their action on April 4, 2018, the fiftieth anniversary of the
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's assassination. Thursday will
likely see the trial end with closing statements, the charge to the
jury, and jury deliberations.<br />
<br />
In a recurring pattern, the judge would allow items the seven carried
onto the sub base into evidence over frequent government objection.
Martha Hennessy was even allowed to read from the indictment that
nuclear weapons are always illegal. The judge did always remind the jury
the items admitted were only for the fact that they were left on the
base, not that they were true.<br />
The prosecution called their final witness in the morning, base
Facilities Management Specialist Juan Melgarejo, to verify the expenses
of cleaning and repairs after the disarmament action, which he reported totalled $31,833.<br />
Then two defendants, Martha Hennessy and Patrick O'Neill, who had not
previously given opening statements did so, and the defence began their
case with Attorney Stephanie Amiotte examining Martha Hennessy.<br />
<br />
After
overruling an objection from the prosecution, the indictment of
nuclearism which the seven carried on to the Base and which Martha Hennessy had posted at the
Strategic Weapons Facility Engineering office (SWFLANT) finally
was allowed into evidence by Judge Lisa Godbey Wood.<br />
<br />
Go Pro video footage was also admitted of Martha Hennessy reading Bible
verses from the prayer book “Give Us This Day” which she, Clare Grady,
Patrick O'Neill and Mark Colville had read as they waited to be apprehended by
base security personnel. Martha Hennessy ended her testimony with, “It's
imminent (nuclear war) and it haunts me.”<br />
<br />
Next, Attorney Fred Kopp, in examining Carmen Trotta, asked why he
and his colleagues went to Kings Bay. Carmen Trotta said that the base has one
quarter of the US deployed nuclear weapons, and that it cannot be legal
to destroy nearly all life on Earth. He noted the “outrage of God at
putting his creation in jeopardy.” This witness was one of three who went to
the so-called “Limited Area,” where deadly force is authorized and where
the activists believe nuclear weapons are stored in bunkers. Fred Kopp
elicited from him the extreme caution the three took to be “careful
for everyone's sake” as they entered the zone and when they were
approached by Marine guards. <br />
<br />
Clare Grady, in examination by Attorney Joe Cosgrove, said that the
consequences of global nuclear war are so atrocious they necessitate the
creation of the word “omnicide.” <br />
“Trident is the crime,” she said, explaining her use of crime scene
tape, not caution tape, as the government kept calling it, at the
SWFLANT office. She also noted that her colleagues used hammers to
“deconstruct” or “transform” weapons to plowshares, instead of doing
damage as the government claims.<br />
<br />
In cross examination, chief prosecutor
Karl Knoche rapid-fired a series of accusations at Clare Grady, claiming that
she and her co-defendants believed themselves to be a law unto
themselves. She calmly answered that the egregious use of weapons is
bullying, not the painted peace messages and blood that she and
Martha Hennessy poured on the engineering office side-walk.<br />
<br />
Attorney Matt Daloisio examined Mark Colville, who quoted his father
saying, “Integrity is what you do when no one is looking, taking
responsibility to what you know to be true.” Mark Colville also
explained his
use of the word “idolatry” that he had written on one of the missile
replicas, noting that the Bible urges us to remove, even smash, idols.
He related that it was a long time before any authorities actually
confronted him, Clare Grady, Martha Hennessy, and Patrick O’Neill in what the activists
call the missile shrine area, even though several vehicles approached,
slowed and then drove on. So after about an hour they felt they had done
enough. They sat down and prayed, then carefully showed their hands
when the vehicles finally approached them.<br />
<br />
In response to the repeated
cross examination accusation of arrogantly choosing to run red lights,
Mark Colville said that he ran every red light when his wife Luz was in
labour. “It was an emergency!”<br />
<br />
Representing himself, Patrick O'Neill was examined by advisory
attorney Keith
Higgins. As a “cradle Catholic” grandchild of four immigrants from
Ireland, his faith was always his guide and led him to co-found the Fr.
Charlie Mulholland Catholic Worker in Garner, NC with his wife, Mary
Rider. He noted that Catholic workers take nonviolent action and break
the law like Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, and Dr. King, to bring social
change. In reviewing the items he took onto the base, he brought
international law into the courtroom. He mentioned copies of the nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty and the new Treaty for the Prohibition of
Nuclear Weapons. In government's exhibit 36-1B-6 GoPro video footage he
recorded himself quoting Pope Francis saying the use and
possession of nuclear weapons is to be firmly condemned <br />
The seven's statement is one of love and hope, he said.<br />
<blockquote>
<img src="https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/data/000/335/358/original/liz-bill-color.png" style="max-width: 2816px; width: 100%;" width="2816" />Attorney
Bill Quigley questions Elizabeth McAlister during day three of the
Kings Bay Plowshares 7 trial. Illustration by Chrissy Nesbitt<br />
</blockquote>
Elizabeth McAlister was questioned by her attorney Bill Quigley.
After briefly describing her life growing up and her life as a nun,
McAlister explained how she got involved in the peace movement. As a
college professor during the Vietnam War, she said, 30 of her students’
boyfriends came home in body bags. <br />
"One could not be a teacher of these young women without sharing their grief. I felt that we were being called to more." <br />
<br />
She related the story of marrying well-known activist Philip
Berrigan, who later co-founded the Plowshares movement. They established
the activist community Jonah House in Baltimore. Elizabeth McAlister described
how her continued sense of her vocation led her to this action. Prayer,
she said, was integral to the action. There is a "reshaping" of
conscience that happens within each of us, which mirrors the
transformation we seek of weapons into tools for cultivating life. She also explained her reason for using the symbol of blood. <br />
"War involves radical bloodshed. (Using blood as a symbol) is a way
of remembering that war is bloodshed, and we long to see the end of war
and the end of shedding the blood of another human being.”<br />
<br />
Scott Bassett, the communications officer for the Kings Bay base was
called as a witness by the defence. Upon prompting, he testified that he
had at earlier pre-trial motions hearings given a statement to the
Washington Post. His statement said that there was no threat to any
assets or personnel at the base from the protestors. He said the
statement meant there had been no damage to military assets such as
submarines or weapons systems, not a missile display.<br />
<br />
Apart from a few objections and brief comments to indicate his
agreement with the testimony of his co-defendants, Fr. Steve Kelly,
S.J., remained silent throughout the proceedings. <br />
<br />
After exiting the courthouse, the defendants told a gathering of
supporters and media they were pleased that they were able to say so
much more in court about their beliefs and motivation than they had
expected because of the judge’s rulings prohibiting mention of their
religious motivations, international law, or necessity.<br />
<br />
“We are seeing what the courts protect,” said Clare Grady.
<br />
</div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-38949839932672085922019-10-24T22:49:00.000+00:002019-10-24T22:52:16.320+00:00Second Day of Trial of Kings Bay Plowshares<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0px;">
The second day of the Kings Bay Plowshares trial, according to reports, resembled the trials in Dublin already referred to.</div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px;">
It seems that the prosecution, aided by the
court, does not have to deal with the prepared defence (which has been
excluded by the judge) so the time is spent instead "proving" what has
been openly admitted by the defendants. They had split in order to
enter the Base at three different points.</div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px;">
So there were exhibits of photos and banners,
bolt cutters and a ten foot piece of cut fence. They even used segments
of GoPro video footage filmed by two of the defendants - presumably to
prove that they were there and did what they said they did.</div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px;">
A military police officer
testified that he found Fr. Steve Kelly, S.J., Elizabeth McAlister and
Carmen Trotta on the other side of a fence at a
deadly force zone where a warning is blared on loudspeakers every 10 to
15 minutes, and where
the activists believe nuclear weapons are stored in bunkers. The government’s witnesses will neither confirm nor deny
there are nuclear weapons there.</div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px;">
The head of the Marines security team was
called to apprehend the three. He was awoken from sleep at one in the
morning and drove over with his team. They climbed through the hole in
the fence and approached the three. Carmen Trotta
told him they were unarmed and came in peace. </div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px;">
An officer of the
Department of Defence police said he arrested the other four Plowshares
activists at the missile display. He testified to the peaceful,
compliant nature of the protesters. During a defence attorney’s
cross-examination of the military police officer, she highlighted the
religious aspect of the defendants’ action, calling the area a “missile
shrine.” Defendant Patrick O’Neill connected with his arresting officer
with a humorous story about their first meeting.
The officer made him smile, he recounted: “You said, ‘You folks realize
you are in a bit of trouble, don’t you?’”
</div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px;">
Special Agent Thomas Kenney of the NCIS
presented forensic evidence about the cut fence and various tools found.
He then reviewed about two hours of GoPro video recordings filmed by
Carmen Trotta at the restricted area and by Patrick O’Neill at
the missile monument display. The video was mostly too dark to see
clearly what was happening, but the audio provided a running commentary.
It also showed O'Neill swinging various sledge hammers and gardening
tools at a monument to the Trident II D5 missile
and signs. It entered into evidence many of the points the defendants
wanted to make about the peaceful, religious nature of their action.
</div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px;">
Because the judge will not allow almost any of
the defence's arguments to be heard -- necessity, international law,
moral and religious objections -- the trial is expected to conclude<b> </b>in a day or two.<br />
<br />
[Reports based on Catholic Worker emails] <br />
<br />
<br />
<b></b></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-78936005754790054782019-10-23T00:42:00.003+00:002019-10-23T00:47:24.337+00:00Kimgs Bay Seven Trial has begun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
In Brunswick Georgia USA seven defendants are standing trial for
conspiracy, destruction of government property, depredation of
government property, and trespassing.<br />
<br />
Translated, this means that they entered the nuclear submarine base in
Kings Bay, Georgia,on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., carrying hammers and baby bottles of
their own blood; they used crime scene tape and hammers and hung banners
reading: “The ultimate logic of racism is genocide - Dr. Martin Luther
King”, “The ultimate logic of Trident is omnicide” and “Nuclear weapons:
illegal / immoral.” They also brought an indictment charging the U.S.
government with crimes against peace.<br />
<br />
The case resembles the separate trials in Ireland during the last decade
of Mary Kelly and the 5 Pitstop Ploughshares.: Deirdre Clancy, Nuin
Dunlop, Karen Fallon, Damien Moran and Ciaron O'Reilly. After many years
of mistrials, a judge's misdirection to a jury, another judge's recusal
because of his proven friendship with George W Bush and a third judge's
recusal because of perceived bias towards a defendant, all defendants
were unanimously cleared of the charges. They had all admitted entering
Shannon airport and decommissioning a war plane before the start of the
Iraq war.. They pleaded lawful excuse<br />
In the Kings Bay Plowshares trial the Jury has now been selected - nine
women, including three African-American women, and three men.<br />
<br />
The opening statements by prosecution and defendants have been made.
Clare Grady, representing herself made her own opening statement and
referred to her Irish roots<br />
<br />
Each Trident submarine at Kings Bay can carry 24 submarine-launched
ballistic Trident D5 missiles. Each missile can carry up to eight 100
kiloton nuclear warheads, about 30 times the explosive force of the
Hiroshima bomb.<br />
<br />
However, after the jury was sent home for the night the judge admonished
the defence, referring to the opinions she has issued restricting them
from any mention of international law, a defence of necessity, (lawful
excuse?) or the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. “I am going to
require that you follow my rulings or we are going to have to make
alternative arrangements,” she said. “This is not a forum for converting
people to a particular religion. I gave you a tremendous amount of
leeway.”<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="imgp_img" height="403" src="https://peacenews.info/sites/default/files/imagepicker/6/ploughshares_opt.jpg" width="500" /><br />
<br />
Many of the defendants attended the three trials of the Pitstop
Ploughshares in Dublin. As with the Dublin trials, the court room in
Brunswick is full and an overflow crowd of supporters are watching from
nearby on closed circuit television.<br />
<br />
The seven defendants are:<br />
<br />
Mark Colville, 55, of the Amistad Catholic Worker, New Haven,
Connecticut, Clare Grady, 59, of the Ithaca Catholic Worker, Martha
Hennessy, 62, of the New York Catholic Worker, Fr. Steve Kelly SJ, 69,
of the Bay Area, California, Elizabeth McAlister, 78, of Jonah House,
Baltimore. Patrick O’Neill, 61, of the Fr. Charlie Mulholland Catholic
Worker, Garner, North Carolina and Carmen Trotta, 55, of the New York
Catholic Worker.</div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-90505585081283081012019-09-12T19:08:00.004+00:002019-09-12T19:11:17.773+00:00ARMED DRONES MAKE ORPHANS - paid for by worldbyondwars.org<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img alt="https://worldbeyondwar.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/syracuse.jpg" src="https://worldbeyondwar.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/syracuse.jpg" /></div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-51179398079332823782019-09-12T19:04:00.000+00:002019-09-12T19:04:23.651+00:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<img alt="https://worldbeyondwar.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/droneboard.jpg" src="https://worldbeyondwar.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/droneboard.jpg" /></div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-25798204098958335422019-08-06T20:00:00.002+00:002020-10-25T18:17:37.217+00:00Hisoshima reflection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Today is Hiroshima Day: the day humankind, represented by a United States President, went mad and incinerated a city filled with humans in Hiroshima Japan.<br />
<br />
A few days later the same President revisited a similar holocaust on another Japanese city, Nagasaki.<br />
<br />
It was the ultimate act of madness of a world that believed in violence and war,<br />
<br />
Today in Dublin's Merrion Square we recalled Hiroshima at a cherry tree planted there in 1980.<br />
<br />
Important speeches were made by important people and sad music played.<br />
<br />
The speech of Patrick Comerford, former Quaker and reporter for the Irish Times, now a Church of Ireland minister, was particularly impressive.<br />
<br />
He gave credit for the nuclear arms pause, such as it is, to activists like the Greenham Common women and he praised the US activists who disagreed with and opposed Trump.<br />
<br />
Two of them were listening - Ken Mayers and Tarak Kauff - who are on long time bail in Ireland having entered Shannon airport, airside, in order to inspect a US plane carrying armed troops to war. Also listening was Colm Roddy<br />
<br />
Ken and Tarak are US Veterans for Peace having served respectively in Vietnam and Iraq. <br />
<br />
In this era of Irish State commemorations of the violence that helped to
create and give legitimacy to the Irish State itself, it could be all
too easy to forget the basic evil of all wars and killing.<br />
<br />
It is a mistake to praise some evil deeds of our own past and simultaneously condemn the evil deeds of others, admittedly more enormous,.<br />
<br />
Hiroshima is a historic reminder to us not to make this mistake.<br />
<br />
Tarak and Ken are living reminders of the same danger.<br />
<br />
Both of these Veterans are now confined within the shores and borders of our Republic.<br />
<br />
Thay may not visit Northern Ireland. They may not enter any of our airports. Apart from that they are free to roam. And roam they do.<br />
<br />
The high court Judge who refused them permission yo visit their homes and their loved ones in the USA has done a service to the cause they believe in. <br />
<br />
For while they are here they are revitalising the anti-war movement in all its manifestations,<br />
<br />
With them we can talk about our friends in the USA, friends like the Kings Bay Ploughshares, Kathy Kelly, Martha Hennessy,, Liz McAlister, Carmen Trotta and others who struggle against nuclear war threats over there.<br />
<br />
And on this day I always recall with honour the name of Mordechai Vanunu, The Israeli whistleblower who spent 18 years in an Israeli prison for revealing that his country had surreptitiously become a nuclear power against international rules but never monitored or investigated by the International Atomic Energy Agency.<br />
</div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-88817858584622620262019-06-07T13:51:00.001+00:002019-06-07T21:10:55.727+00:00At the Trump Protest last night in Dublin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
I'm very happy that the truth-telling of Chelsea Manning and Julian
Assange and their treatment by the Trump administration are high-lighted
in a fine <a href="https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/06/06/cover-ups-and-truth-tellers/">article in Counter Punch.</a><br />
<br />
I am not happy with what I regard as a vulgar caricature of Donald Trump at the top of the article. <br />
<br />
<br />
Last night I attended the protest in Dublin and decided to pick on
some of the issues that would not be mentioned elsewhere. So my placard
had US misuse of Shannon airport at the top and then Chelsea Manning,
Julian Assange and the Kings Bay Seven (in that order).<br />
<br />
In the middle of the speeches I noticed a couple with red Trump-like
caps holding small US flags and decided to approach them. Welcoming
them to Ireland I remarked that we appeared to have different points of
view and they replied that they were supporters of President Trump.<br />
<br />
As
they were looking at my placard it gave me an unexpected opportunity to
explain the headings there. From the platform they had heard many
mentions of Shannon and asked me what Shannon meant and why it was a
matter of controversy. They listened patiently while I told them that it
was a civilian Irish airport through which a quarter of a million US
troops had passed in the last five years alone and that at present they
were aiding US backed wars in Yemen and elsewhere.<br />
<br />
"But Manning is free now isn't he" (sic), one of them asked, looking
at the second item on the placard. Again, with patience and respect
they listened as I informed them that Chelsea had been returned to
prison because she had refused as a matter of principle to testify
against her fellow whistle-blower, Julian Assange.<br />
<br />
Needless to say they believed that Julian Assange was still in the
Ecuadorian embassy and were shocked to hear that he was in Belmarsh
prison having been dragged out of the Embassy and sentenced to twelve
months and that he was waiting to be be extradited to the US to face
felony charges and a long prison sentence.<br />
<br />
I was delighted when they asked me what did <i>Free <a href="https://www.kingsbayplowshares7.org/">the Kings Bay Seven</a> </i>mean.
They didn't know that Kings Bay was a nuclear submarine base in Georgia
USA or the extent of the nuclear capabilities which it controls there.<br />
<br />
Again they listened without hostility as I told them that on 4 Aprl
2018, commemorating Martin Luther King, seven conscientious people, Liz
McAlister, Clare Grady, Martha Hennessy, Carmen Trotta, Fr Steve Kelly,
Mark Colville and Patrick O'Neill, totally opposed to nuclear weapons
and war, entered the base, symbolically disabled a missile, poured a
little of their own blood around, put up some notices and said prayers until they were
arrested. Four are still in prison (after 15 months) awaiting trial;
the other three are on bail, with ankle monitors. I believe they were
genuinely shocked at these last revelations.<br />
<br />
We parted as good friends - both of them offering me their hands to
shake not once but twice and I renewing my good wishes for their happy
sojourn in Ireland for the rest of their holiday.<br />
<br />
Again the ugly effigy of "baby" Trump floating above the Dublin
platform was as offensive to me as it was to them. As someone who has
spent much of my time countering bullying, I regard name-calling and
offensive pictures and effigies of individuals as part of that genre. If
we could stick to basic issues as Lawrence Davidson has done in his Counter
Punch article, the results, in my opinion, would be far more powerful and
effective.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-20370220666787978332019-05-03T15:19:00.001+00:002019-05-03T15:19:10.899+00:00Protest letter to UK Ambassador re Julian Assange<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<br />
Dear Ambassador<br />
<br />
Further to my telephone call to your Embassy earlier today I wish
to state my support for the protest by my friends outside the
Embassy in solidarity with Julian Assange.<br />
<br />
Because of a hospital appointment I was unable to join them.<br />
<br />
Now I add my own voice to theirs. It is shameful and
reprehensible, unworthy and indefensible, that the British State
has jailed this whistleblower for telling the truth. <br />
<br />
<br />
It is even more despicable that you are willing to extradite him
to a country whose lies and murders during the Iraq war he has
exposed.<br />
<br />
Your country under Mr Tony Blair incited a coalition of deluded
governments to wage that war under false pretences. Your Prime
Minister lied to the world stating that Iraq had weapons of mass
destruction. The unspeakable horror of "Shock and Awe" ensued; a
beautiful country was devastated, a puppet government installed
and another monster named ISIS was born. The US and UK created the
Iraq war. The Iraq war created ISIS.<br />
<br />
<br />
At that time there was no Julian Assange to uncover the lies that
have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people,
the maiming in body and mind of possibly twice that number, and
the untold millions of their relatives who have suffered
collateral damage as a result of that same war in Iraq. <br />
<br />
<br />
The United Kingdom should be ashamed because of the major role it
played in that ruthless devastation of a people. Ireland too
should be ashamed because of its spineless support for it, - by
facilitating the passage of armed US troops through our civilian
Shannon airport. <br />
<br />
<br />
It might be expected that the liar states who promoted and
supported that war would try to make some compensation to the
victims when the truth of their perfidy was made known to them,<br />
<br />
Instead, they compound their wrongdoing by jailing the truth
tellers.<br />
<br />
It is a spectacle of two powerful bullies leading collaborators
and onlookers in strangling the truth. It is so overwhelmingly
disgusting that it should be immortalised in art.<br />
<br />
<br />
I totally reject the comment of sentencing Judge Deborah Taylor
that Julian Assange exploited what she called his "privileged
position" to flout the law and advertise internationally his
disdain for the law of the UK. <br />
<br />
Such a vacuous comment could come
only from someone enjoying the overweening position of a
sentencing judge looking down in disdain from the privileged
Bench. The suggestion that seven years of confinement in an
embassy is a privilege takes some beating for arrogance and
disdain.<br />
<br />
<br />
Shame on the UK, shame on the USA, shame on the coalition of the
willing and shame on Ireland.<br />
<br />
<br />
Cheating and lying politicians come ten a penny. They are
remembered with infamy. Principled whistleblowers like Julian
Assange, Chelsea Manning, Edward Snowden, Mordechai Vanunu and
Aaron Schwartz will always be scarce as gold. <br />
<br />
<br />
But <i><br />
</i><br />
<br />
<i>At the going down of the sun and in the morning <br />
</i><br />
<i>We will remember them.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
With best personal wishes<br />
<br />
Justin Morahan<br />
Human rights activist, pacifist<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-47752626231585942192019-04-11T12:44:00.003+00:002019-04-11T17:47:21.714+00:00Julian Assange arrested this morning and Evicted from Ecuador Embassy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
The arrest of Julian Assange and his forcible eviction from the Embassy
of Ecuador in London is a sad milestone in the history of a brave
whistleblower.<br />
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
There was an unnecessary show of force by the British authorities and a
virtual swarming of the embassy - to arrest a nonviolent whistleblower.<br />
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Julian practised the classic nonviolent resistance action of refusing to leave voluntarily and had to be forced to leave<br />
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
We will no doubt go through the mockery of a bail trial followed by a trial for extradition to the United States.<br />
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
This distressing episode casts further shame on the United States, the Ecuadorian President and the United Kingdom.<br />
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
It is horrifying news and Julian needs our support now more than ever</span></div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-5042193672871478952019-04-04T14:18:00.001+00:002019-08-07T14:17:25.555+00:00Cruel Farce of Irish Justice System Continues against US Peace Veterans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div data-ft="{"tn":"H"}">
<div class="mtm">
<div style="position: relative;">
<div class="_5cq3 _1ktf" data-ft="{"tn":"E"}">
<img alt="Image may contain: 7 people, people smiling, outdoor" aria-busy="false" class="spotlight" src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/56431076_2454329224600221_2313081253173133312_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_oc=AQkSOgEoyallMuLjbr93dpddJ2iH4VNOPIjQ7USto-MoCwu9T3IPCDvgFv1H-JSAVqs&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=76d8c2d2ce0f6ae19f8868cd8c0a2581&oe=5DDA3C4A" style="height: 507px; width: 811px;" /><br />
<i><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">Veterans for Peace </span></span></i><i><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">Ireland - Photo Credit</span></span></i></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">Veterans for </span></span><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">Peace Tarak Kauff and Ken Mayers </span></span><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">spent 13 days in Limerick prison for </span></span>trying to inspect a US plane at Shannon airport last St Patrick's Day.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">In Ennis District at that time they were denied bail. A Garda told the judge they might be a flight risk.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">The banner in the picture above tells clearly what their message to the Irish people is:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">RESPECT IRISH NEUTRALITY and U.S. WAR MACHINES OUT OF SHANNON AIRPORT.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">They had to travel from Limerick prison to Dublin's Cloverhill courthouse last week in what became a successful effort to get the High Court to grant them bail.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">But even in the High Court they were refused permission to return to their homes in the United States while their case was being processed in Ireland.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">The prosecuting Garda again thought they might be a flight risk. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">Other peace activists here have found to their cost that the Irish justice process can take years.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">It takes only one word from a prosecuting Garda for a judge to make the draconian decision that one is denied bail or cannot leave the jurisdiction.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">Yesterday, back in Ennis, Judge Patrick Durcan mentioned the word "jurisdiction" but no sooner had the word come out of his mouth than the Garda prosecutor advised him "We haven't got to that stage yet Judge". The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) wasn't yet ready, he said.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">When "jurisdiction" was mentioned by the judge we hoped he might be thinking of transferring the case to the Circuit court.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">But the Garda intervention meant that Ken and Tarak must now twiddle their thumbs in Ireland until the DPP prepares her massive case against them: <i>trespass and criminal damage (to the fence)</i>. Their next date with the court is 3 May.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">I have sat through similar cases in Irish courts relating to charges against the 5 Pitstop Ploughshare defendants and, separately, Mary Kelly.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">In the case of the Pitstop Ploughshares, we all found out why there had been such a long delay with the proceedings. Even though they had admitted going through the fence, cutting the wires and, in their case, (unlike Ken and Tarak) damaging a plane, the prosecution found it necessary to commission monstrous maps to show the jury the layout of the airport. The jury members found it hard to open the maps, they were so big. But the Senior and Junior Counsels had great fun pointing to them and talking about them. They proved that these people really had done what they had already admitted doing.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, many years later, no use for Tarak and Ken<span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg"> to give their word of honour to each and every court that they wanted to return for trial and would so return. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">No. They must wait for the Irish justice system to lumber on like the cruel farce that it is and keep them waiting, waiting, waiting, far from their loved ones - because they dared to call on the Irish government </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">in a dramatic way</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg"> to respect Irish neutrality and stop letting US war machines pass through Shannon airport. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">Such war machines have been known to wreak havoc on </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">children</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">, women and </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">men, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">in places like Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">These brave peace protesters want to end all of such havoc and bring peace to our world.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg">However, the DPP must think long and hard over the next month on how to present her evidence to the court. She will spend much of that time, no doubt, weighing the high motives and principles of these two peace activists against the shocking "crimes" of "trespass" and damage to a wire fence in a field in Ireland that the State assesses at €2500.</span></span></span>
<span class="_1nb_ fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}"><span class="fcg"><br /></span></span></div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-29820452619073274032019-04-02T19:14:00.001+00:002019-05-03T15:12:26.763+00:00Inhuman cruel Brunei laws of Stoning to Death Condemned<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">As 3 April 2019 approaches, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/02/asia/brunei-lgbt-inhumane-stoning-laws-intl/index.html">gays are fleeing Brunei</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Sultan head of State there is enforcing
sharia law as from that date. From 3 April in Brunei you can be stoned
or flogged to death for being LGBT or for adultery, especially if you
are a woman.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Other repulsive aspects of sharia law such as amputation of
limbs will also have force of law. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, the United Nations decried the new “cruel and inhuman” laws "set to
take effect in Brunei this week which impose death by stoning for gay
sex and adultery, and amputations for theft". </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As soon as the announcement was made, George Clooney and Elton John
called for a renewed boycott of all Brunei-owned hotels. Elton John
tweeted a list.
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Here are the hotels to boycott</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> The Dorchester, London</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> 45 Park Lane, London</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Coworth Park, UK</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Le Meurice, Paris</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Hotel Plaza Athenee, Paris</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Hotel Eden, Rome</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Hotel Principe di Savoia, Mi</span><br />
<blockquote type="cite">
<div class="Tweet-text e-entry-title" dir="ltr" lang="en">
<span style="font-size: large;">Elton xx</span></div>
<div class="TweetInfo-like">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a class="TweetInfo-heart" data-scribe="component:actions" href="https://twitter.com/intent/like?tweet_id=1112070073521455105" title="Like">
</a></span><br />
</div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe like me you won't be able to afford any of them but you might
have rich friends whom you can influence to stay away.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The brutal,
misogynistic, barbaric violence being sanctioned by this tyrant of Brunei cry out
for some kind of action that will damage the Sultan's wealth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is
indeed a pitiful response compared to the fearful injustice of taking a precious life in Brunei in such a
monstrous manner. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But it is a human response for our brothers and sisters - and maybe our weakness may yet be our strength.</span><br />
<br /></div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-3307922246040222932019-03-28T15:26:00.001+00:002019-04-11T19:52:26.890+00:00US Peace Veterans Granted Bail in Dublin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">KEN and TARAK were in court this morning in Cloverhill, Dublin. They were given bail (own bond each €2500) and will be released later today from Limerick prison to the house of a named Limerick supporter. </span></span></span></pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They must stay away from airports (especially Shannon) and surrender their passports. They had good ood support in the small, crowded court room and were represented by a solicitor and 2 barristers'</span></span></span></pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They looked well behind the glass but were not allowed to speak. How long they will remain in Ireland is an unknown.</span></span></span></pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Their next appearance in court will be 3 April.</span></span></span></pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Last night there was a vigil of support for the 2 peace veterans outside Limerick prison where they have been incarcerated since 17 March.</span></span></span></pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""><span style="font-size: large;">In the court today the US organisation Veterans for Peace were praised by a defending barrister. </span></pre>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tarak and Ken are members of Veterans for Peace</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE: They're out!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Having been in the custody of the State since17 March Ken and Tarak were finally released on bail on Friday morning 29 March. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now they are guests of the nation and will be hosted by Irish families until they are free to return to their homes in the US.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to freedom Tarak and Ken!</span><br />
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""></pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""></pre>
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap=""></pre>
</div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-28144183871149518912019-03-26T14:50:00.001+00:002019-04-04T15:00:27.121+00:00US Veterans' Jailing Raises Hackles on Both Sides of Atlantic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">The refusal of bail to two US Peace veterans in Ireland has stirred up concern about issues of Irish justice and fairness both in Ireland and in the USA</span></div>
<div class="attachment">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="attachment">
<span style="font-size: large;">The refusals on 18 and 20 March in Ennis District court means that the Peace Veterans are still in prison in Limerick, Ireland.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The US Peace organisations <i>Veterans for Peace </i>, <i>Stop These Wars</i> and <i>Codepink </i>have staged protests in Washington, Santa Fe, New York and other places while <i>the Nuclear Resister</i> has published extensively and supportively on the action of the peace veterans.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <img alt="" class="attachment-900x900 size-900x900" height="435" src="https://www.stopthesewars.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/NYC-solidarity-3-20-54524768_10157273670567948_3439767774686085120_n.jpg" width="580" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>photo credit ED</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In Ireland, supporters have written to the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste and various Ministers demanding that the veterans be released. Amnesty International has been contacted.</span></div>
<div class="attachment">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="attachment">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ed Horgan of Shannonwatch hsa called for supporters to lobby TDs and Ministers and to write letters of support to Ken and Tarak at Limerick prison, Mulgarve Steet Limerick. </span></div>
<div class="attachment">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="attachment">
<span style="font-size: large;">A lawyer in Belfast believes that the bail refusal is wrong as it was based solely on the "seriousness" of the alleged crime - which is not a legal basis for refusing bail.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tarak and Ken will appear in CLOVERHILL High Court in Dublin on Thursday 28 March at 11 a.m. where the decision to deny them bail will be appealed.</span><br />
<div class="attachment">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="attachment">
<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile Ken and Tarak have received visits in prison from activists John Lannon and Sean Clinton. And <i>The Nuclear Resister</i> reports (all the way from America) that prison staff in Limerick are friendly and good humoured and that the food is better then in US jails!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Photo Credit ED </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.stopthesewars.org/kenandtarak/nyc-solidarity-3-20-54524768_10157273670567948_3439767774686085120_n/" rel="attachment" title="Free Ken and Tarak"><img alt="" class="attachment-900x900 size-900x900" height="480" src="https://www.stopthesewars.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Free-Ken-and-Tarak.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-23777673686271080612019-03-22T00:01:00.001+00:002019-03-27T23:52:53.939+00:00Offer to Shannon group to pay for Damaged Fence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x"><img alt="H19 veterans for peace held" height="180" itemprop="image" src="https://www.democracynow.org/images/headlines/20/46620/quarter_hd/h19-veterans-for-peace-held.jpg" width="320" /> </span></span><br />
Photo credit: Ellen Davidson<br />
<br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">To: Shannon Group plc,
<br />
</span></span><br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">Chairperson Rose Hynes
<br />
</span></span><br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x"> CEO Matthew Thomas. <br />
</span></span><br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">Deputy CEO Mary
Considine</span></span><br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">Dear Sisters and
Brother</span></span><br />
<br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">As you know two very
brave and honourable gentlemen are in Limerick prison
because they conscientiously oppose the US military use of
Shannon airport. <br />
</span></span><br />
<br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">They themselves are US
ex-military and know what happens when US armed troops go
through our civilian airport to air bases like </span></span><span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">Djibouti. </span></span><span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x"><br />
</span></span><br />
<br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">They know that they
help to wage war and havoc on our sisters and brothers in
Yemen. <br />
</span></span><br />
<br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">The two Peace Veterans
had heard that </span></span><span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">an OMNI Air International plane, tail
number N351AX, on contract to the US military, had arrived
at Shannon Airport about 8.30 a.m. last Sunday having come
from Eielson US air force base in Fairbanks Alaska, and it
was on its way to the Middle East with up to 300 armed US
troops. <br />
</span></span><br />
<br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">I don't know if what
they heard was true. The plane was certainly at Shannon
airport. The Gardaí are not allowed to inspect such planes
to determine whether or not their presence here breaches
Irish neutrality. The Gardaí are not allowed to enquire
whether or not the planes are likely to take part in war
crimes.<br />
</span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MS1DUcf1afs/XJqEHw2G4MI/AAAAAAAAAcY/pZdLQqQIjSQ7PdzjXb_e19Cgve2X9vdegCLcBGAs/s1600/20190315_115920-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="397" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MS1DUcf1afs/XJqEHw2G4MI/AAAAAAAAAcY/pZdLQqQIjSQ7PdzjXb_e19Cgve2X9vdegCLcBGAs/s400/20190315_115920-cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<i>The Veterans including Ken and Tarak at Dublin Press conference on 15/3/2019</i><br />
<br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">Ken Mayers and Tarak
Kauff, who respect Irish neutrality and hate war crimes more
than our government does, tried to inspect the plane
themselves.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">They object strongly to
children being killed in places like Yemen by US forces,
aided and abetted by the Irish government.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">There was a wire fence
in their way at Shannon. </span></span><span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">Alleged</span></span><span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">ly, someone caused damage
to the fence and the two Peace Veterans gained access. They
carried a large banner with them. As a result they have been
charged with criminal damage and trespass.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x">Although I do not
accept that the alleged damage was criminal, rather the
opposite - to save the lives of war victims including
children - I am now offering to pay the money for whatever
damage may have been done to the fence - on one simple
condition: </span></span><span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983mb_text" style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px;">namely
that the US military are no longer allowed to use Shannon
airport for the facilitation of war crimes.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983mb_text" style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px;">Thanking
you</span></span></span><br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983mb_text" style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px;">With
best personal wishes</span></span></span><br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983mb_text" style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px;">Justin
Morahan<br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="gmail-m_2785543077562977983_3l3x"><br />
</span></span></div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009264794790792869.post-8174716327758026352019-03-19T18:44:00.000+00:002019-03-27T23:57:55.329+00:00Letter to Irish Ministers re US Peace veterans in Limerick prison<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img alt="H19 veterans for peace held" height="180" itemprop="image" src="https://www.democracynow.org/images/headlines/20/46620/quarter_hd/h19-veterans-for-peace-held.jpg" width="320" /> <br />
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-unicode">
<br />
<i> Photo credit: Ellen Davidson</i><br />
<br />
To: Minister Charles Flanagan<br />
Minister for Justice and Equality<br />
Dáil Éireann<br />
Dublin <br />
<br />
Copies : President Higgins, Taoiseach Varadkar, Minister Ross,
Minister Coveney<br />
<br />
<br />
Dear Minister Flanagan<br />
<br />
Further to my telephone call to your office this morning, during
which I lodged a complaint and protest with your secretary,
Paula, I wish to confirm in writing that I am protesting the
detainment in Limerick prison of two veterans for peace of the US
army who are in Ireland with 5 other companions to help put an end
to Irish participation in US led wars.<br />
<br />
On Sunday last, 17 March, an OMNI Air International plane,
number N351AX, which is on contract to the US military, had
arrived at Shannon Airport about 8.30 a.m. from Eielson US air
force base in Fairbanks Alaska, most likely on its way to the
Middle East with armed US troops. At around 10 a.m. the two
Veterans, Ken Mayers and Tarak Kauff, entered Shannon air field
for the purpose of inspecting and investigating this aircraft
which they believed to be carrying the armed US troops through our
civilian airport. They were carrying a large banner that asked us
to respect Irish Neutrality and keep the U.S. War Machine [their
words] out of Shannon Airport. Before they got to the plane they
were arrested and brought to Shannon Garda station.<br />
<br />
They were questioned and detained there until about 6 pm when
their period of detention was extended for a further six hours At
9.30 pm, they were allowed to make a phone call and told a fellow
American, Ellen Davidson, that they were being held overnight.<br />
<br />
On the following day in Ennis District Court they were charged
with "trespass and criminal damage" and denied bail at the request
of the prosecution. Not realising that it would take about two
years for the case to come to trial they offered to surrender
their passports but later their solicitor advised the court they
were willing to swear affidavits that they would return to Ireland
for trial whenever needed. Nevertheless, the prosecution
persisted in opposing bail and Judge Marie Keane again agreed
with the prosecution and remanded them in custody to Limerick
Prison. They are to appear for further court mention
proceedings by video from Limerick prison on Wednesday 20 March.
<br />
<br />
In my opinion this is outrageous for many reasons. <br />
<br />
Firstly and paramountly, three branches of Government, Justice,
Transport and Foreign Affairs, turn a blind eye to the passage of
US troops through Shannon, allowing it in effect to be a US
military base. Time and again all three Departments engage in
stonewall-speak in the Dáil when asked legitimate questions about,
or when presented with moral arguments against, this abuse of a
civilian airport. The veterans uncover the implicit lies in all
of this stonewall-speak.<br />
<br />
Secondly, the US Peace veterans are honourable people -
whistleblowers against wrongdoing - upholding the best principles
of Nuremberg, especially Principles 2,3,4,6 and 7. They know
what's happening in US war zones. They know of the innocents
murdered. They are crying out on behalf of the innocents. "<i>If
these hold their peace the very stones would cry out"</i><i>.</i><br />
<br />
Thirdly, Limerick prison is an unsafe place for former US
soldiers who are in danger of attack there from prisoners who
might mistake them for warmongers rather than peace veterans.<br />
<br />
The treatment of these brave people since they did their peace
action at Shannon.has been despicable and a disgrace to Ireland
and its people.<br />
I call on you to release them immediately and order our own
investigation into the war planes that are flying through our
civilian airport. A previous Taoiseach (Ahern) cravenly accepted
the word of "the great President Bush" as he called him (even in
the aftermath of the Iraq war) that there were no terror suspects
on the planes going through Shannon. Now your government refuses
to confirm that armed US soldiers are passing through it. We know
better.<br />
<br />
Stand for the truth. Stand for justice. Stand for peace.
<br />
<br />
Stand with the veterans not with Mr Trump. <br />
<br />
With best personal wishes<br />
Justin Morahan<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Justin Morahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303825083582409853noreply@blogger.com2