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.
April 24, 2020
Making war doesn’t stop for a pandemic. Neither do I.
January 20, 2020
Martin Luther King, Robin Hood, and who’s an outlaw?
Back home just now from Lockheed-Martin, the world’s largest nuclear weapons contractor. My friends and I attempted nonviolently to carry copies of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons to the workers at this facility, but were waylaid by security and police. In picture I am reading my current Villanova course text in the police van while waiting for whatever might be next. The course subject is the legend of the outlaw Robin Hood in Medieval Britain. It seemed particularly appropriate reading matter at this time.
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.
October 15, 2019
“Love your Enemies” comes to West Point Military Academy
This weekend I attended the West Point Military Academy conference entitled Ethics of War and Peace. Once again I publicly identified as the sole pacifist in a group of about 75 (mostly cadets). I shared my views with cadets and others, and heard their views. After much reflection and discussion with others, I decided to wear my “LOVE YOUR ENEMIES” shirt tor part of the conference and (more…)
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…)
April 19, 2019
Ethics of War and Peace conference; Good Friday arrest at Lockheed Martin; War Tax Resistance
The annual Ethics of War conference was held at Villanova in late March and I participated as usual. “As usual” means that in the Q&A of plenary sessions, I gave my unique (for the conference) pacifist position on the topic. I made a point of speaking with the West Point cadets who attended and 
(more…)
February 1, 2019
Freedom School at Villanova
I was back in the classroom again as part of Villanova’s annual Freedom School. We (including three ROTC students) read and discussed how (quoting from my class description) “King’s ‘Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence’ – as Relevant Today as Ever’ 
challenges us through his linkage of “the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism.” Delivered exactly one year before his death, this speech is as timely today as it was then. As we consider what he said at Riverside, it may help us understand why at the time of his assassination King was the most hated man in America. Have we white-washed the real King in our public praise of him?” I offer a class annually, sometimes on this topic and sometimes on King and civil disobedience.
September 26, 2018
Are there Perambulations more than activism? Read here
We’re much more than Quaker activists, so I’ll skip the latest news in that area and give other news about us. Fran and I are amateur mycologists and spent last Sunday (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.