Participated in a peaceful action yesterday with Earth Quaker Action Team at the home of the world’s largest pollution investor – Vanguard in Malvern.

A number of us were civil disobedient by blocking their driveway and walking onto their property. In an unusual move, the police declined to formally arrest us but briefly detained us by escorting us individually to the side of the road and getting driver’s license information, then releasing us (no van ride to the station for booking).
We sent our check for a partial amount of what we owe the government along with a letter explaining why we do this as a matter of conscience, and then sent the remainder to good causes. We refuse to pay the full amount of income tax because so much goes to war-related expenses. Paying others to kill in my name feels to me like doing it myself. We refuse and redirect a relatively small amount because at this point the IRS computer is on to us and, after a series of threatening letters they take it out of my social security check. But Thoreau has it right when he says that’s no excuse to do nothing.
I made the attached video documentary during our October 22 demonstration at the Drone War Command Center in Horsham. This is where Air Force pilots fly the planes that do our dirty work in other lands. Video particularly recreates the August 29 2021 attack by the United States that killed 10 civilians in Kabul, Afghanistan, including 7 children. Thanks to Carol Carmon for the camera and editing work. Released this just in time for Halloween — scary, but oh too real.
Today was the annual Good Friday action at Lockheed Martin (King of Prussia facility), the world’s largest nuclear weapons contractor and war profiteer. There was also signage and vocal recognition that today (April 15) was the traditional tax-due date, and that our taxes pay for this tragedy. When the peace readings had been completed, a number of those present risked arrest by temporarily blocking their entrance. Eventually three of us moved forward onto Lockheed Martin property in an attempt to deliver a copy of the U.N Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons to Lockheed Martin officials. We were stopped by Lockheed Martin security and the Upper Merion Police. I was able to hand deliver a copy of the Treaty to the head of Lockheed Martin security before being arrested along with two of my compatriots.
Spoke again directly with my U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon today (and also four months ago – see below) in a noon zoom appointment arranged by Friends Committee on National Legislation. There were ten of us, and focus was on Build Back Better bill (HR 5376) now in Congress, (more…)
With Brandywine Peace Community July 3 at the Quaker Statehouse – aka Independence Hall. Message is that our country needs fixing as much as the cracked bell across the way from us. Got good attention from passers-by. Weather progressed from a cool morning drizzle setting out, to a hot sun the first hour of the demonstration, followed by a few clouds, then closed a bit early with a cloud burst of rain.
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…)
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.
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