On March 8, 1971, citizens peacefully broke into the FBI office opposite the Media Court House and removed files that disclosed numerous criminal acts the FBI had committed under Hoover’s direction. The majority of their files were politically focused on liberal and left wing groups and draft resistance, while relatively few concerned traditional criminals who might pose a threat to human lives or livelihood (forget about Bonnie and Clyde). One notorious item was a copy of a blackmail letter that the FBI anonymously sent to Martin Luther King suggesting that he commit suicide or else the author would reveal evidence of sexual indiscretions. The documents revealed the COINTELPRO operation and led to a Senate investigation headed by Senator Church (the Church Committee) which reported as follows: “The Committee finds that the domestic activities of the intelligence community at times violated specific statutory prohibitions and infringed the constitutional rights of American citizens. The legal questions involved in intelligence programs were often not considered. (more…)March 8, 2021
50th ANNIVERSRY OF THE FBI BREAK-IN OF THEIR MEDIA, PA OFFICE
On March 8, 1971, citizens peacefully broke into the FBI office opposite the Media Court House and removed files that disclosed numerous criminal acts the FBI had committed under Hoover’s direction. The majority of their files were politically focused on liberal and left wing groups and draft resistance, while relatively few concerned traditional criminals who might pose a threat to human lives or livelihood (forget about Bonnie and Clyde). One notorious item was a copy of a blackmail letter that the FBI anonymously sent to Martin Luther King suggesting that he commit suicide or else the author would reveal evidence of sexual indiscretions. The documents revealed the COINTELPRO operation and led to a Senate investigation headed by Senator Church (the Church Committee) which reported as follows: “The Committee finds that the domestic activities of the intelligence community at times violated specific statutory prohibitions and infringed the constitutional rights of American citizens. The legal questions involved in intelligence programs were often not considered. (more…)January 18, 2021
Martin Luther King 2021 action at Lockheed Marti
I participated in the Martin Luther King demonstration and celebration at Lockheed Martin today. We peacefully demonstrated against the world’s largest war profiteer and nuclear weapons’ systems contractor. We celebrated that this Friday the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will become international law. In accord with the U.N. Charter (to which we are signatories), the treaty having received ratification by at least fifty U.N. member countries, the manufacture, possession, or use of nuclear weapons is prohibited. The major holdouts are, not too surprisingly, the current nuclear weapon countries. We hope to change that, but there is an immediate gain by this treaty. Countries that have ratified the treaty have agreed not to manufacture, trade, possess or allow into their country any nuclear weapons. It is a major step toward world peace when countries that have been historic enemies of one another mutually agree that they will not develop or possess nuclear (more…)
November 6, 2020
Surviving and thriving in Covid times
Covid put a hold on some usual Fall activities (Peace Center, West Point, Drone Warfare). Attended an Immigration Rights rally last month and a Nov 5 rally to Count all the Votes. Picture of Immigration Rights marchers shows them in front of Minsell House, home of Media Historical Society. Fran is concluding her presidency of that organization at the end of the year. Simply keeping sane and healthy can be an accomplishment in these times. I have three sets of hiking friends that I see weekly, plus hiking and other activities with Fran. Missing some of the usual Villanova and Quaker activities. — ZOOM helps, but is not the same.
June 6, 2020
George Floyd and police justice
Coming out of quarantine for two actions in Media today. This morning a call for resignation/firing of a prejudiced police officer. This afternoon “We’re Done Dying,” a vigil for the lost. Morning at the Media FOP headquarters, afternoon at the Courthouse. Good attendance at both. Now for follow through to further. We are interviewed toward end of article.
April 24, 2020
Making war doesn’t stop for a pandemic. Neither do I.
Lockheed Martin, world’s largest weapons contractor, declares that it is open to meet its obligations to its “customers” (i.e. military contracts). Business as usual – how to make a killing, financially and literally. Our usual Good Friday demonstration was cancelled, but I felt called to be there nonetheless. This action has been an important part of my life for decades, so I arranged to do it safely and solo My sign read “Covid 19: Country is closed, Lockheed Martin is OPEN for war. Close it down.” I had a pleasant officer for police protection (I assured him there would be no CD today), and he wished me “Be Safe and God Bless You” over his patrol car loud speaker when I was leaving.
January 4, 2020
No War with Iran, no assassinations.
A major action at City Hall this afternoon followed by a parade around the city. Hundreds of us, mostly young people. 
We occupied the city plaza and streets (no permits for this one) – seizure by people power. During the parade I carried one end of the lead banner that read “NO WAR AGAINST IRAN,” The youthful activists did well to organized this event so quickly. Loud and a good ruckus at times, but always nonviolent.
July 4, 2019
Stop explosive Mariner East pipeline, and more.
Our action group occupied the potentially-explosive pipeline site at Sleighton Park on June 29. Members played ball and sang songs over the pipeline, returning the ground to its intended use as a public park. We want SAFE public parks and SAFE living space for all. We left peacefully when the state police arrived and threatened us with arrest if (more…)
May 19, 2018
Demand the Ban (on sale of assault weapons)
Fran and I participated (and were arrested) in the May 16 Demand the Ban (on the sale of assault weapons) nonviolent direct action outside Senator Toomey’s office in Philla. First an assault weapon was melted and re-forged into a garden tool, which we carried (more…)
January 31, 2018
Occupy PECO for green energy and local jobs
Forty of us occupied PECO headquarters yesterday as part of an EQAT (Earth Quaker Action Team) campaign for solar energy and green jobs. After an hour of Quaker Meeting in their lobby, we left as planned when threatened with arrest.
October 29, 2017
West Point Ethics of War and Peace conference
Plenary session
This weekend I attended a three-day conference entitled Ethics of War and Peace, held at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. I’m feeling both exhausted and energized/empowered to have once again been the sole pacifist at this annual conference co-sponsored by Villanova University. (more…)