We were charged with “creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition” (whatever that means) for standing in their driveway. There were about 200 at the demonstration and 25 of us cuffed, charged, and then released. Lockheed Martin is the world’s largest war profiteer and nuclear weapons contractor.
April 11-15 was a busy five days. Friday was a day-long Buddhist gathering at Union Theological Seminary in Manhattan. Saturday Fran and I visited with friends we were staying with and celebrated Passover with them. Sunday I gave my Quaker Peace Testimony talk at Morningside Quaker Meeting on the 12th floor of Riverside Church. Monday we hiked all over Central Park, and Tuesday (April 15) at Villanova I demonstrated in support of peaceful use of taxes by carrying a large sign to that effect on campus. Later I went to the Media P.O. with my sign.
Ten of us braved the cold and wind in the Lockheed Martin entrance. I attempted to carry a copy of the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons to their nuclear-weapons facility but was stopped and arrested.
Yesterday I met with Veterans for Peace walking from Maine to DC. After a meal and program at Springfield Friends Meeting, some walkers slept overnight at the Meetinghouse. Today I returned to join them in walking from the Meeting to Media, PA. Good work, my friends.
Good Friday action today at Lockheed Martin, world’s largest nuclear weapons contractor and war profiteer. We acted to stop the supply of weapons from Lockheed Martin (paid for by the U.S.) and promote a cease fire and real peace in Gaza and Israel/Palestine. I took part in a die-in at L-M’s entrance while holding a sign with the names of hundreds of children that are known dead in Gaza. We were arrested, booked and cited at the police station, and released. Brandywine Peace Community was joined by Red Letter Christians and others for a much larger event than usual.
The Ethics of War and Peace Conference held at West Point is a major event for me and I have attended all of them. This session asked of War: What is it good for? I was surprised that the most common response was that it was not good for much these days. There was opportunity for much personal interaction. Fran focused on talking with the speakers, while I spent more time with the cadets. One afternoon I wore my War is Not the Answer sweatshirt; at all other times I wore a button with that same message on my sport jacket. I had an interesting discussion with our keynote speaker, Steven Pinker, and identified myself as a pacifist when speaking during the Q&A of a plenary session.
Speaking at U.S. Customs House vigil for Senator Fetterman’s support
for peace in Gaza, January 2024.
Signed for two certified letters from IRS today and used opportunity to explain to mailperson that as a pacifist I cannot pay for others to kill in my name (nearly half our federal tax goes to military-related costs) and redirect those taxes to life-affirming organizations
Fran and I organized a two-hour prayerful vigil for healing and peace between Israel and Palestine, held today at the Delaware County Courthouse in Media. There were about fifteen present, and it seemed meaningful for all involved. These are challenging times for so many, abroad and at home.
Participated in a peaceful action yesterday with Earth Quaker Action Team at the home of the world’s largest pollution investor – Vanguard in Malvern. Next (9.30.2023) we’re back at Lockheed Martin, World’s Largest War Profiteer.
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.
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