NEWS AND EVENTS

TEST LAUNCH SCHEDULED

A test launch of the Minotaur IV (first ever launch of this rocket) is set for April 20 from Vandenberg.  Payload is not known

There will be a protest of this launch with Loring Wirbel as special guest speaker.  Mark your calendar. Time will be posted later.   Loring Wirble is an expert on waging war from space using these satellites, and the role they play in the Iraq, and Afghanistan/Pakistan wars, especially the drone attacks.

For further details call MacGregor Eddy at 831-206-5043 or e-mail macgregoreddy@gmail.com

See Vandenberg launch schedule here

FOUR ARRESTED AT MARCH 3 VIGIL

The chief of public affairs for the base, Jeremy Eggers, was present wearing a suit and tie, but nobody was asked to present ID.  However, after a two minute warning, though they did not cross the line, Dennis Apel, MacGregor Eddy, Fr. Steve Kelly, and Jorge Manly-Gil were detained as a result of their “ban and bar” letter, taken to the visitor center and cited for illegal trespass then released.  The MP’s approached Bud Boothe in a respectful manner, but did not arrest him.  They wanted Bud to sign a piece of paper, but when he refused, they left. A reporter from the Santa Maria Sun was present to cover the vigil, as well as the L.A. Catholic Worker Community and supporters from Santa Barbara.

The base has received many letters and press inquiries about the mistreatment Bud Boothe received on November 4.   His arraignment remains scheduled for March 18 at 1:30 pm.  Bud has retained Catherine Swysen, of Sanger and Swysen, as his counsel. Please send letters of support to: Bud Boothe, P.O. Box 464, Los Olivos, CA 93441.  He does not use e-mail.

The next monthly vigil will be Wednesday, April 7, at 4pm at the front gate on Highway One six miles north of Lompoc.  Please do not park in the middle school parking lot, park on Mountain View Street near the school and walk to the front gate. Please join us.

For further details call MacGregor Eddy at 831-206-5043 or e-mail macgregoreddy@gmail.com

REGULAR MONTHLY VIGIL/WITNESS

Our regular monthly vigil is planned for Wednesday, March 3, at 3 pm. Please join us on the first Wednesday of each month at the front gate on Highway One six miles north of Lompoc.  Please do not park in the middle school parking lot, but park on Mountain View Street near the school and walk to the front gate.

BUD BOOTH’S ARRAIGNMENT

Because the prosecution did not have the law he was charged with violating, Bud Booth’s February 18 arraignment was postponed until March 18, at 1:30 pm.  Bud is charged with a class A misdemeanor for refusing to provide ID on November 4, 2009, when injured by the MPs.  Bud is a WWII Army Air Corps veteran who flew with the late historian and author Howard Zinn. Please support Bud at the Santa Barbara Federal Court - 1415 State St., Santa Barbara, 93101.  See MaGregor Eddy’s blog for further info.

http://vandenbergprotest-macgregor.blogspot.com/

UPDATE

The Wednesday (February 3) vigil, was peaceful.  Seven people gathered outside the main gate. MacGregor Eddy was detained and cited for a bar and ban violation. Dennis Apel and Jorge Manley-Gil also were detained for failing to show identification.   Dennis was held until 10:30 pm at the Lompoc jail;  Jorge was released quickly since he was ID’d on Sunday.

Bud Boothe appears in Santa Barbara Federal Court, 1415 State St, 9 am, Thursday, February 18, for the November 4, 2009 witness when MP’s injured him. If you plan to attend, you must have ID and no cell phones are allowed inside the court.  Please come to support Bud.   Donations for legal costs can be sent to the Vandenberg Peace Legal Defense Fund, P.O. Box 5789, Salinas CA 93915. NOTE: Donations are not tax deductible as the Fund is not a 501 (c)(3).

Another vigil is planned for Wednesday, March 3. Please join our monthly vigils at 3 pm on the first Wednesday of every month, at the front gate on Highway One six miles north of Lompoc.  Do not park in the Middleschool parking lot.  Park onMountain View Street near the school and walk to the front gate.

REGULAR MONTHLY PEACE VIGIL

There will be a Peace Vigil at Vandenberg  AFB on Wednesday, Feb 3. We will assemble at 3 pm at Vandenberg AFB front gate (6 miles north of Lompoc on Highway One Santa Barbara county).

For further details call MacGregor Eddy at 831-206-5043 or e-mail macgregoreddy@gmail.com  See short presentation about Vandenberg at:

http://docs.google.com/present/embed?id=dfpxc5ff_677dhqjvpc9&interval=5&autoStart=true&loop=true

UPDATE: Jorge Manly-Gil was released from jail.

See story of launch and protest in both, the Santa Barbara Independent and Santa Maria Times at:

http://www.santamariatimes.com/news/local/military/article_a08214c4-0efb-11df-a6e8-001cc4c03286.html

http://www.independent.com/news/2010/feb/01/missile-mishaps/

EIGHT ARRESTED - ONE INJURED

Eight people were arrested at the Sunday, January 31 witness. Participants in the witness were not allowed to gather in the designated protest area, nor anywhere near the base. Nobody intentionally “crossed the line.”  The protest was dismantled and arrests were made by base security, who acted because the protest was not permitted by base commander, though the base was notified well before the gathering. (What happened to our right of “free speech”?)

The arrested include: Denis Apel, Tensie Hernandez-Apel, Bub Boothe, MacGregor Eddy, Judy Evered, Scott Fina, Mary Becker, and  Jorge Manly-Gil.

In the first test of its kind involving Vandenberg, an ICBM launched from the Marshall Islands was aimed at southern California. The Ground-Based Interceptor launched from VAFB, about 60 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, lifted off at around 3:45 pm, but was not successful in shooting down the target, launched six minutes earlier from the far end of the Ronald Reagan Test Range at Kwajalein Atoll

First to be cited were MacGregor and Dennis, both of whom have existing “ban-and-bar” notices from previous arrests. They were cited for trespass, though they were in the designated protest area and did not cross onto base property.

Judy Evered, in her 80’s, of Goleta, CA was held on the ground by two security guards with one soldier’s knee in her back. Her booking was interrupted because she had to be transported to the hospital in an ambulance for a shoulder injury she sustained during arrest.  Evered is with the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and is a frequent participant in ongoing vigils at Vandenberg. She was later released from the hospital, and unprocessed by authorities.

Jorge Manly-Gil, also from the Guadalupe Catholic Worker, refused to give any
information. He was last known to be held at the Lompoc City Police
holding cell.

The others arrested were given ban-and-bar letters though they were in compliance with base policy.

MISSILE LAUNCH RESCHEDULED

There is an Interceptor Launch from Vandenberg this Sunday, January 31. Missiles launched from Reagan Test Site, Marshall Islands, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. The test will simulate a Russian missile attack on the United States. We will assemble in protest at 2 pm at Vandenberg AFB front gate (6 miles north of Lompoc on Highway One Santa Barbara county).

For further details call MacGregor Eddy at 831-206-5043 or e-mail macgregoreddy@gmail.com

Check the Vandenberg website for cancellation. If test is canceled, protest is canceled.

Sponsored by WILPF

INTERCEPTOR MISSILE TEST

The Interceptor Missile Test scheduled for Friday, January 22 has been canceled, hence the protest scheduled for Thursday, January 21 also has been canceled.

PROTEST UPCOMING INTERCEPTOR MISSILE TEST

On Friday, January 22, The Missile Defense Agency will conduct a Ground-Based Interceptor Test, FTG-06, for the missile defense system. Missiles launched from Reagan Test Site, Marshall Islands, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. The test will simulate an Iranian missile attack on the United States.

We will assemble in protest on Thursday, January 21, from 4 pm to 7 pm at Vandenberg AFB front gate (6 miles north of Lompoc on Highway One Santa Barbara county).

For further details call MacGregor Eddy at 831-206-5043 or e-mail macgregoreddy@gmail.com

Check the Vandenberg website for cancellation. If the test is canceled, the protest is canceled.

Sponsors include: WILPF, Code Pink, Nevada Desert Experience, and War Reisisters League.

FOR A NUCLEAR WEAPONS-FREE WORLD: Non-Violent Action Against Vandenberg ICBM Launches

Fr. Louie Vitale, OFM, and Sr. Megan Rice were arrested late night August 23, 2009 for their nonviolent protest of Vandenberg Air Force Base’s test launch of a long-range nuclear missile. Please join them for an evening discussion before their Thursday morning court date.

What: Fr. Louie Vitale and Sr. Megan Rice discuss non-violent resistance to Vandenberg nuclear missile tests.

When: Wednesday, January 20, 7:00 pm

Where: Friends Meeting House, 2012 Chapala St., Santa Barbara, CA

Cost: Free

More Information: Rick Wayman, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation – (805) 965-3443

__________________________________________________________

Sponsors include: Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Santa Barbara Friends Meeting (Quakers), Nevada Desert Experience, L.A. Catholic Worker

MINUTEMAN LAUNCH CANCELED

No reason was provided for the cancellation of the November 18 launch.

A final decision about our press conference will be made on Monday, November 16 insofar as the test could be back “on” at any moment.

VANDENBERG MP’s GONE WILD

Three people were arrested on November 4 during the monthly peace vigil at Vandenberg AFB main gate.  Dennis Apel again was cited for a “ban and bar” violation. Two other vigilers in the designated protest area were arrested for not identifying themselves with ID.  One, Bud Booth, 84 year old veteran of WWII Army Air Corps, and a long-time peace activist at Vandenberg, was placed in metal handcuffs and while being searched was grabbed at the center part of the handcuffs and swung around, tearing his shirt and skin on his arm. Paramedics were summoned to administer first aid.

Send letters of support to Bud at, P.O. Box 464, Los Olivos, CA 93441

Also write to base commander Col. David Buck, 30 SW/PA, Building 12,000, Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA 93437-6267

MISSILE LAUNCH

Vandenberg Air Force Base, in violation of Article 6 of the NPT, will launch a Minuteman III test ICBM hair trigger solid fuel long distance nuclear warhead (with dummy warheads) delivery system on November 18th 2009.  There will be a peace protest sponsored by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom DISARM at 11:55 pm, Tuesday, Nov 17 at the base front gate (six miles north of Lompoc, California, on Highway One, Santa Barbara County).  For details e-mail macgregoreddy@gmail.com or call MacGregor at 831-206-5043

Check the Vandenberg website for cancellation. If the launch is canceled the protest is canceled.

DENNIS APEL ARRESTED AGAIN

At the October 3 “Keep Space For Peace” witness, Dennis Apel was again arrested for a “ban and bar” violation (Dennis has a lifetime ban and bar). It is obvious that enforcing the ban and bar is very arbitrary, as Dennis, and others, have been present at other events where no action was taken by the military. This is the third ban and bar violation he has received, but has yet to be prosecuted. Photos of the event are forthcoming.

KEEP SPACE FOR PEACE WEEK: International Week of Protest to Stop the Militarization of Space.

We will gather at the front gate of Vandenberg Air Force Base at 1:00pm on Saturday, October 3rd, for a peaceful, nonviolent protest against Vandenberg’s role in using space for technology and satellites that support drone warfare and guided missiles, and in opposition to their 25-year history of testing delivery systems for nuclear weapons.

Contact Dennis Apel, (805) 343-6322 for info.

No Missile Defense - No Use of Space for Drone Wars - Stop Endless War Convert the Military Industrial Complex - Fund Human Needs!

PHOTOS FROM ICBM PROTESTS AT L.A. & VANDENBERG AFB

See photos of witness at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Space and Missile Systems Station, and Vandenberg AFB, against Minuteman III ICBM Launch at Vandenberg AFB.  August 22 Photos

Fr. Louie Vitale, OFM, and Sr. Megan Rice were arrested at Vandenberg AFB for trespass early Sunday Morning as they “crossed the line”  chanting “Stop the tests!” The pair made it about halfway to the front gate before the command “Halt! Security forces!” rang out. Vitale and Rice were confronted by Air Force security. When asked to leave, they knelt, and promptly were arrested and cited for trespassing then released. Read article here

ENDORSEMENT OF AUGUST 22 PROTESTS

Citizens for Peace in Space (CPIS),  Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission (PPJPC), and Sisters’ Witness Against War recognize El Segundo and Vandenberg protests of ICBM test launch. See their endorsement at: Statement

AUGUST 9, 2009 PHOTOS

See photos of witness commemorating 64th anniversary of Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombing. August 9, 2009 Photos

NEW ICBM LAUNCH AND PROTESTS SCHEDULED

Another planned Minuteman III ICBM launch is scheduled for August 23rd, along with two vigils on the day before the launch in protest against the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). The demonstration at Vandenberg will begin 11:45 pm, Saturday, August 22. The protest will be held at the front gate of Vandenberg Space Command - at the intersection of Highway One and California Blvd (Six miles north of Lompoc on Highway 1 in Santa Barbara County, CA., 93437) The parking lot at Vandenberg Middle School will be unlocked for our use and porta potties will be available. Please note that parking by the trees along Highway One is not allowed.

The Green Tortoise bus will again be coming from Northern California, call
Macgregor Eddy to make reservations.  This was set up by a wonderful affinity group in Marin County. Also, for anyone interested, there is a Motel 6 in Lompoc, and some locals with home stay offers. Speaker: Ellen Thomas of PropOne for Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion.

For further info contact: macgregoreddy@gmail.com or call 831-206-5043

There will also be a vigil In Southern California on Saturday, August 22, from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Los Angeles Air Force Base, located at 262 Douglas Street, El Segundo, 90245. The Los Angeles Air Force Base aka Space and Missile Systems Station, is involved in tracking and fine tuning the ICBM launch. Speakers: Blase Bonpane of Office of the Americas; Mayra Gomez of World March for Peace.

For further info contact Eli Monroe at eliqmonroe@yahoo.com or call 323-969-9307

Sponsors: Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space; Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom; Nuclear Age Peace Foundation; and War Resisters League, among others.

If the launch is canceled protests are canceled. See launch details at Vandenberg AFB Launch Schedule (and check that website for possible launch cancellation, or date change).

SEE PHOTOS OF MISSILES AND TARGET

SEE PHOTOS FROM LAST GATHERING

ICBM LAUNCH PROTEST JUNE 28/29 AT MIDNIGHT

There will be a protest against the launch of a Minuteman III Intercontinental  Ballistic Missile (ICBM)–the most destructive first strike missile in the U.S. arsenal. The target is the Ronald Reagan Missile Test Range, Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific.

The protest will be held at the front gate of Vandenberg Space Command - at the intersection of Highway One and California Blvd (Six miles north of Lompoc on Highway 1 in Santa Barbara County, CA.) The protest will begin at the start of the launch window on Sunday, June 28, at 11:55 pm exactly. Do not arrive early, wait at the Vandenberg Village parking lot if you are early. The protest will continue until the rocket is launched. (for Map Quest directions ask for directions to Vandenberg Middle School, there is no street address for the front gate)  It is a good idea to meet in the parking lot of Vandenberg Village at 11:40 pm so we take as few cars to the front gate as possible.  (Vandenberg Village is a small mall 3 miles north of Lompoc and 3 miles south of the front gate.

If the launch is CANCELED the protest is canceled. See launch details at Vandenberg AFB Launch Schedule (and check that website for possible launch cancellation, or date change).

The protest is sponsored by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power is Space. Andrew Lichterman of the Western States Legal Foundation has agreed to speak at the front gate event.

We will charter a Green Tortoise (very comfortable) bus from West Oakland area. The Green Tortoise charter from the NORTH will start at the WEST OAKLAND BART station at 3 pm Sunday June 28. The second stop will be in Santa Cruz at the Denny’s on Pacific at 5 pm. The next stop will be in SALINAS, at the Boronda exit off 101, Denny’s restaurant on North Main at 6:30 pm. The charter bus will get to the Guadalupe Catholic Worker 4575 9th St., Guadalupe CA 93434 at 10 pm to meet and plan with the Southern California and Lompoc/Santa Maria folks.

The Green Tortoise will return north at 1:30 am but NOT stop in Guadalupe. It will return people to Salinas 4:40 am or 5 am, Santa Cruz by 6 am and West Oakland BART station between 7:30-8 am at the latest. Seats are still available on the bus but you MUST reserve them. We ask $50 (cash please) toward the charter cost round trip, food is provided, but if you are particular, bring your own. Sleep on the way back. See Green Tortoise Bus Co. for bus info.

For those coming from the SOUTH do not take the train.  We do not have places for you to stay locally and the return train at is not until 7 am. If you do take the train you must make your own arrangements to spend the night (there is a Motel 6 in Lompoc). People are traveling in carpools from points south, for car pool information you can contact Andy Liberman from the War Resister’s League at: teachins1@yahoo.com, or call 310-600-1254 or call MacGregor Eddy at 831-206-5043

For further info call 831-206-5043 or e-mail macgregoreddy@gmail.com

SEE PHOTOS FROM THIS GATHERING

NO TO STAR WARS–YES TO NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

The below link to a short video: Obama in Prague: No to Star Wars! by Jan Tamas and The Invisibles from the Czech Republic, was made during President Obama’s recent visit to Prague in early April 2009. Let us remain stellar in our opposition to a U.S. Missile Defense System–anywhere in the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AwPIkBbqDo

DELTA 2 ROCKET LAUNCH PROTEST

On May 5, 2009 (time yet released) there will be a Delta 2 rocket launch at the SLC-2W launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch the Space Tracking and Surveillance System Advanced Technology Risk Reduction (STSS-ATRR) research and development mission for the Missile Defense Agency. It is a satellite launch for tracking and surveillance.

The protest against the NMD program will begin at the start of the 1 pm launch window (see http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbsked.htm ).  It will be held at the front gate of Vandenberg Space Command - Intersection of Hwy 1 and Casamila-Lompoc Road. (Six miles north of Lompoc on Highway 1 in Santa Barbara County, CA.)  The protest will continue until the Delta 2 rocket is launched. The protest is sponsored by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power is Space.

For further info call 831-206-5043 or e-mail youthrightssal@gmail.com

There are many people around the world who support our efforts. We would like to include as many names as possible in our press release. Please send us a short statement on your letterhead expressing your opposition to the “Star Wars” (Missile Defense) tracking and surveillance network. Signed statements are preferable. Please scan the document and send it as an attachment to: macgregoreddy@gmail.com Thank you for your support.

SENTENCING RESULTS

On Thursday, March 12, 2009, Defendants Dennis Apel, Jeff Dietrich, Fr. Louie Vitale, OFM, represented by Kate Chatfield, and Fr. Steve Kelly, SJ, in pro per, stood before Magistrate Rita Coyne-Federman for sentencing for their nonviolent witness on May 19, 2007.  The the probation department issued the following sentence recommendation to the court: Dennis Apel-30 day home confinement plus 30 days probation - no fine.  Jeff Dietrich-4 months incarceration plus $1000 fine plus $35 court costs. Fr. Louie Vitale-5 months incarceration plus $1000 fine plus $35 court costs. Fr. Steve Kelly-6 months incarceration plus $1000 fine plus $35 court costs.

However, after hearing statements from defense attorney Kate Chatfield, the military JAG (judge-advocate general) and all defendants, Magistrate Rita Coyne-Federman stated that the charges did not warrant jail time. She imposed the following sentences: Dennis Apel-$2500 fine plus $35 court costs. Jeff Dietrich-$1000 fine plus $35 court costs. Fr. Louie Vitale-$500 fine plus $35 court costs.  Fr. Steve Kelly-$1000 fine plus $35 court costs. All defendants stated their refusal to pay the fines and court costs. The court did not respond. All defendants have until May 12, 2009 to submit payment. No further court appearance was scheduled. SEE DENNIS APEL’S STATEMENT BELOW:

In May of 1998 I went to Iraq to take medicines to Children’s hospitals.  To go was an act of civil disobedience, breaking the sanctions against that country and risking the possibility of up to a one million dollar fine and 12 years in prison.  But the United Nations was reporting that 5,000 children a month were dying because of lack of medicines banned by the sanctions.  So I ignored the law and I went.

When a group of eight of us arrived at the first children’s hospital in Baghdad, the lobby of the hospital was so full of women with their children waiting to be seen that we had to squeeze our way between them to get to the room where we were to be briefed on the conditions of the hospital.  One of the women in our group collapsed from the shear hopelessness of that initial scene.

When we were led to the emergency room, I was shocked to see rows of beds lining the walls of a huge room with two or three sick or dying children on each bed.  While mothers attended their children, I took pictures as fast as I could, hoping to capture the scene.  On one particular bed sat a young mother cross-legged with an infant in her lap.  She looked at me weeping and shouted something in Arabic.  At my request, the doctor who accompanied me translated, “She says you come here, you take pictures and you go home…but nothing changes.”

When I returned to the United States I related this and so many more stories to anyone who would listen.  I talked to Church groups and colleges.  I spoke on radio and television programs.  I was interviewed by the local paper and I sent mailings out to everyone I knew.  A group of us met with Lois Capps, our elected representative, and with bishops and church leaders.  But, in the end, the woman was right….nothing changed.

I have stood in the “designated protest area “ at Vandenberg Air Force Base now well over 100 times in the past 12 years.  I go almost religiously once a month with a small group of peace-loving and justice-seeking folks to voice our objection to the mission of that Base and its complicity in the terrorizing of humanity by testing delivery systems for nuclear weapons.  Twice in those twelve years, I have been arrested and convicted of trespassing for crossing the green line.  The first time was in 2003 five days before our government added the obscenity of “shock and awe” to the sin of 11 years of brutal sanctions in Iraq.  The second was now almost two years ago when I and three others refused to step back on the “safe” side of the green line without our brothers and sisters in the military who are knowingly or not, or willingly or not, part of the enforcement arm of the policies that, among untold other stories of suffering and death, put that young and desperate mother and her dying infant on that bed in a Baghdad hospital.

The green line at Vandenberg is used for only one purpose.  The visitor center, the parking lot, the public bus stop are all on the other side of the green line and the area is open to anyone who doesn’t overtly disagree with the mission of the Base or our government’s policies.  Be quiet and you can be on the other side of the green line.  The green line serves to mark the point beyond which certain truths are no longer allowed.

You can’t see it, but there is a green line in our courtrooms as well.  It’s called “in limine” and it also marks the point beyond which certain truths cannot be spoken.  In my case the prosecutor can, and makes it a point to, state without objections my motivations for what I do.  “He’s just looking for attention,” she will say.   “He wanted to get arrested and he did,” she will say.   But if I try to explain my motivations the prosecutor is quick to jump in, “Objection your honor…relevance.”  My motivations are clearly only hers to define.

And the limits of allowing for a defense of necessity or breach of International Law or the Nuremberg Principles are so tightly defined that literally not one case of civil disobedience in the United States in opposition to everything from illegal war, to torture, to kidnapping and extraordinary rendition has been allowed such a defense.

We are, all of us, knowingly or not, or willingly or not, caught up in a system that affords greater authority and a louder voice to laws that blockade the truth than to the voice of those suffering and dying.  There are those who would have responded to the challenge of a grieving mother in a Baghdad hospital by saying, “I’ll vote for someone else in the next election,” and would have felt satisfied, but I am not one of them.  Because, if it were me holding my dying son or daughter, I would have been equally desperate and felt at least as much disdain for the powerlessness of the person documenting my suffering with a camera.

My deep conviction is that love supersedes the law, and while I don’t claim to be an expert at when love requires one to break the law, if opposing what we’ve visited on Iraq in the past 19 years is not it, I don’t know what is.  I am neither an anarchist nor one who disagrees with the need for accountability to laws.  But laws that perpetuate injustice or protect those who would cause untold suffering are so counter to the law of love, that to allow them to remain unchallenged requires that we relinquish love itself which is ultimately our only hope for justice and peace.  And I’m not ready yet to give up hope.

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak a little truth before sentencing, but I look forward to the day when “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth,” are included in the process before consideration of the verdict.  In the meantime, a mother’s voice was heard one more time in this courtroom and I’m thankful for that, and to the court for your time and attention.

UPCOMING SENTENCING

Defendants Dennis Apel, Jeff Dietrich, Fr. Louie Vitale, OFM, and Fr. Steve Kelly, SJ, will face sentencing on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 10:00 am in Santa Barbara Federal Court - 1415 State St., Santa Barbara, 93101. The defendants were found guilty on December 4, 2008, by Magistrate Rita Coyne-Federman for their nonviolent witness on May 19, 2007.  Please join us in support of these brave men who invited the airmen present to become peacemakers rather than warriors for a corrupt and rapacious empire.

MAY 5 DELTA 2 ROCKET LAUNCH

On May 5, 2009 (time yet released) there will be a Delta 2 rocket launch at the
SLC-2W launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base. This launch was rescheduled for this date from delays dating back to 2006.

• The United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch the Space Tracking and Surveillance System Advanced Technology Risk Reduction (STSS-ATRR) research and development mission for the Missile Defense Agency. The mission previously called Block 2010 Spacecraft Risk Reduction. NASA will oversee the launch. The rocket will fly in the 7920 vehicle configuration.  It is a sattelite launch for tracking and surveillance.

UPDATE ON THE DEC 5 LAUNCH

Although Vandenberg officials called the December 5th Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) launch a success, questions have been raised about the decoys’ failure, which some say were supposed to be an important part of the test. “The whole point of the test was to hit the target in the presence of decoys,” said Philip Coyle, senior adviser for the Center for Defense Information. Coyle — who served as assistant secretary of defense from 1994 to 2001 and directed the Defense Department’s testing and evaluation department — said the MDA’s claim of success in this test was misleading. “They don’t want to have a failure because they don’t want Congress to pull funding,” he said.

VERDICTS ARE IN

Defendants Dennis Apel, Jeff Dietrich, Fr. Louie Vitale, OFM, and Fr. Steve Kelly, SJ, were found guilty of trespass on Thursday, Dec. 4, by Magistrate Rita Coyne-Federman in Santa Barbara Federal Court for their witness on May 19, 2007. Sentencing will be on March 12, 2009 at 1:30 pm. The prosecution made a motion in limine, which the court granted, that prohibited the defendants from making any comment or statement with regard to their religious or political reasons or views for their act of trespass. This ruling essentially gagged the defendants from making any meaningful statement in their defense since the foundation of their action was inspired by their religious and political beliefs. Kate Chatfield, attorney for the defendants, desperately attempted to find a way for the defendants to make their statement, butProsecutor Sharon McCaslin vigorously objected to nearly every question asked of the defendants, with the Court sustaining each objection. However, enough was said to display the defendants sincerity on that Armed Forces Day 2007.  (See photo of five defendants in PHOTOS)

After a two and one-half hour evidentiary hearing on defendant Mike Wisniewski’s motion to dismiss the trespass charge, Magistrate Rita Coyne-Federman ruled against the motion. However, during the trial, after viewing the government-provided video of the May 19, 2007 witness at Vandenberg AFB, when the prosecution rested its case, Wisniewski’s Public Defender, John Littrell, made a motion to acquit, which Magistrate Coyne-Federman granted. The court ruled that the government failed to prove that defendant Wisniewski was given a warning to move back across the “green line” or face arrest, as issued to the other defendants before arrest and mandated by law. Wisniewski will not face sentencing since he was acquitted of the trespass charge. He will now attempt to have the life-time “ban and bar” letter against him removed.

DECEMBER/JANUARY LAUNCH

In December or January, date and time to be determined, there will be a launch of a mock warhead from the Kodiak Launch Complex, Alaska followed by a Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) from Vandenberg AFB. The DoD will announce the launch time several hours in advance. Operation Name: FTG-05. Check Space Archive Vandenberg for announced date and time.

TRIAL DATE

Co-defendants Dennis Apel, Jeff Dietrich, Fr. Steve Kelly, S.J., Fr. Louie Vitale, O.F.M., and Mike Wisniewski, who were arrested for trespass on May 19, 2007 while attempting to persuade Vandenberg personnel present to leave their posts, cross the “green line” and join the peacemakers gathered rather than support and participate in illegal and immoral U.S. wars and occupations, will appear for trial in Santa Barbara Federal Court on Thursday, December 4, at 9 am. If the trial takes more than one full day, trial will resume at 9 am on Tuesday, December 9.

Prior to trial an evidentiary hearing will be held in Mike Wisniewski’s case to determine if the Oct. 16 motion to dismiss has merit. If the court rules against the motion a trial will immediately follow.

OCTOBER 16 COURT UPDATE

Kate Chatfield, representing Dennis Apel, filed a motion (see Attorney Submissions page) for a jury trial and a defense of necessity, employing International Law and Nuremberg Principles. After a magnificent 15 minute motion presentation, Magistrate Rita Coyne-Federman denied both motions. A December 4 trial date was set for 9 am.

John Littrell, Public Defender for Mike Wisniewski, filed a motion (see Attorney Submissions page) for full dismissal of charges. After listening to Mr. Littrell’s motion presentation, Magistrate Rita Coyne-Federman decided to continue the motion until the December 4 date, when a evidentiary hearing will take place on the motion. If the motion is denied, a bench trial will immediately follow.

KEEP SPACE FOR PEACE WEEK

Fifteen concerned citizens attended the Keep Space for Peace Week Protest on Saturday, October 11 at the main gate. Steve Stormoen, of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, and Sanderson Beck, founder of Peace Communications, each spoke to other participants of the cost and dangers of placing weapons in space. No arrests were made, although MacGregor Eddy did leave after being approached by base security for a ban and bar violation if she remained. See photos in Photo Gallery.

NEW MOTION HEARING DATE

Due to Dennis Apel’s illness, a new motion hearing date for all five defendants has been set for Thursday, October 16 at 2 pm in Santa Barbara Federal Court - 1415 State St. Santa Barbara, 93101

Dennis Apel, Jeff Dietrich, Fr. Steve Kelly, S.J., Fr. Louie Vitale, O.F.M., and Mike Wisniewski were arrested for trespass on May 19, 2007, while attempting to persuade Vandenberg personnel present to leave their posts, cross the “green line” to join the peacemakers gathered.

KEEP SPACE FOR PEACE WEEK

October 4-12 is Keep Space For Peace Week - International Days of Protest to Stop the Militarization of Space:

No Weapons in Space! Stop U.S. First-Strike Deployments in Poland and Czech Republic! Convert the Military Industrial Complex! Fund Human Needs.

Join us for a vigil and protest on Saturday, October 11 from 1 - 3pm at Vandenberg main gate - Intersection of Hwy 1 and Casamila-Lompoc Road. (Six miles north of Lompoc on Highway 1 in Santa Barbara County, CA.)

Speakers include: Sanderson Beck, PhD - Author and peace activist Sanderson Beck
Steve Stormoen - Nuclear Age Peace Foundation

For more details e-mail macgregoreddy@gmail.com or call 831-206-5043

Sponsored by Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space

Nevada Desert Experience

and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom DISARM

ONE ARREST AT MISSILE LAUNCH PROTEST

MacGregor Eddy was arrested at 5am, August 13, at the front gate of Vandenberg Space Command. She was a participant in a protest against the Minuteman III ICBM test launch that took place earlier that morning. The planned peaceful protest was part of the Nuclear Free Future Month of the United for Peace and Justice DISARM task force and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom DISARM committee.

MacGregor did not “cross the line” or do anything to provoke arrest, which has drawn the interest of the ACLU, as it believes the military is unlawfully attempting to exert authority over civilians and deny them their constitutional right of assembly and free speech.

MacGregor received two citations, one for trespassing and one for resisting arrest and obstructing an officer. The second citation because she declined to give her name or produce identification when confronted as the presumed and alleged spokesperson of the protest.

MacGregor can be contacted at 831-206-5043

2 ARRESTS ON NAGASAKI DAY

Dennis Apel and Fr. Steve Kelly, S.J. were arrested outside the main gate on August 9, commemorating the 63 anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki. At our annual Hiroshima/Nagasaki day commemoration vigil, Dennis and Fr. Steve were arrested for violation of their “Ban and Bar” letter that they received for the May 19, 2007 witness and arrest, which prohibits their presence on the base for life. Michael Wisniewski also was given a warning to leave or face arrest for violating his “Ban and Bar”, but he chose to leave the vigil area.

ICBM Launch scheduled for August 13

Weather permitting, there is a scheduled launch of a Minuteman III ICBM at Vandenberg AFB on Wednesday, August 13, early morning. Their will be a vigil outside the main gate from 5 - 7 am, with a press conference at 6 am. Please join us. For more info please call 831-206-5043. This vigil is part of the Nuclear Free Future Month of the United for Peace and Justice DISARM task force and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom DISARM committee.

Time Served

Diocese of San Jose Letter (PDF)

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New Legal Posts

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UPCOMING TRIALS