Today I walked onto the grounds of Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest war profiteer, to ask employees to reconsider their working on nuclear-related systems that, instead of obliterating whole cities and killing 100,000 people at a time as in August 1945, could potentially obliterate the whole world and kill billions. I was arrested in the process.
When laws serve an injustice, the place for the just is to be an outlaw. In this case, our laws serve to justify making weapons that could destroy the world and enlisting poor people to fight wars for the more prosperous.
When arrested previously, I clearly acknowledged my actions but said that by law I was innocent of any crime. During my trial I identified a number of laws that justified my behavior and described legal precedents that supported my behavior under U.S. law (ask me if you would like to hear my legal defense). At the conclusion of my trial, the judge shook my hand but said that he had to find me guilty.
This time, I choose to be an outlaw. I will not respond to any summons or charges placed against me. My 8/11/11 summons states “If you fail to respond to this summons within the time specified above, a warrant for your arrest shall be issued.” Unlikely, from what I hear, but…whatever. Publically, I will continue to declare my innocence and the guilt of the state. In this instance, when laws serve an injustice, the place for the just is to be an outlaw.
I told police and security that I was carrying to Lockheed Martin an appeal from the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki for a total ban and elimination of nuclear weapons. It has been signed by more than forty-three million people.
For those biblically inclined:
I have respect for the principle of law, but when either the laws or their application result in clear injustices, the place for the just is to be an outlaw. Jesus recognized this when he said “It is written ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’ (Isaiah 53:12) and I tell you that this (scripture) is fulfilled in me.” (Luke 22:37). The verse explains the preceding verse (Luke 22:36) where Jesus asks his disciples to get swords for this reason. Thus, when he hears that two are already available he says “That’s enough.” (Luke 22:38). Hardly enough for defense or a revolution (he forbade their use when he was arrested and he submitted non-violently), but enough to establish him as clearly living outside the law – an outlaw. There are many other biblical examples of Jesus intentionally living outside the law.
Comment by admin — August 6, 2011 @ 4:13 pm
Here’s a copyof the letter I’m sending after I receive my official Summons (the one that says “You must reply in such-and-such time or a warrant will be issued for your arrest”). I am not indebted for the costs of another town’s police, but this shows an awareness that freedom has some costs and I am willing to contribute to that when it doesn’t violate my conscience. I suspect this letter and check will come as a big surprise to some (the police officer was certainly surprised when I described my intentions), and hopefully get some folks thinking about why some people do what they do for conscience’ sake. (Mailed August 16, 2011)
Ronald G. Wagenmann
Upper Merion Township Manager
175 W Valley Forge Rd
King of Prussia PA, 19406
Enclosed is my personal check for $138.50 to Upper Merion Township. This is for the support of the Upper Merion Police Department, in recognition of their service at Lockheed Martin when I was arrested there for civil disobedience on August 6, 2011.
When arrested previously at Lockheed Martin I pleaded Not Guilty, went to trial, was found guilty, and paid my fine and costs. For reasons of conscience I cannot follow this procedure again and will not respond to any summons nor pay any fine or court costs nor go to court. I asked my processing officer about the court costs designation on my Citation, and he explained that it was 138.50. In recognition that additional costs are incurred for police supervision of the eighty or so that are involved with this event, I am sending this amount as my contribution toward those costs.
Cc: Captain of Police, Upper Merion Township Police Department
Comment by admin — August 7, 2011 @ 2:25 pm
pics from Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150250969322967.323242.686897966&l=ddcedb1e25&type=1
Comment by admin — August 9, 2011 @ 7:44 am
September 3, 2011
Honorable William Maruszczak
Magisterial District No. 38-1-08
On August 16, 2011, I mailed a check for 138.50 to Upper Merion Township (payee) as my voluntary contribution toward Township costs for a police presence at the August 6, 2011, Hiroshima demonstration at Lockheed Martin, where I was arrested for civil disobedience. I have attached a copy of the explanatory letter that accompanied my contribution.
After my previous arrest at Lockheed Martin (Good Friday, 2006), I pleaded Not Guilty and appeared in your court on July 5, 2006. I was found guilty and paid all my charges. The accompanying letter makes clear that, in good conscience, I find it inappropriate for me to follow that procedure again.
It appears that Upper Merion Township transferred my contribution to the Township in error to the District Court, where it was applied it to the charges against me (see accompanying receipt). This was explicitly not my intention. I continue to feel that I am not guilty of anything except following Christ’s example and teachings.
Sincerely,
Paul Sheldon
Comment by admin — September 19, 2011 @ 8:41 pm