Ash Wednesday NVDA Kicks Off Anti-War Lent....

by update Fri Feb 08, 2008 13:57

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20080207/tts-uk-afghan-na....html

by Jonah Fri Feb 08, 2008 14:02 Washington D.C., U.S.A.

PHOTO LINK - Jonah House, Catholic Workers & Friends Ash Wednesday Anti-War Procession in D.C.

http://www.jonahhouse.org/AshWed08.htm

by sandy Fri Feb 08, 2008 20:23

Fridays vigil was very positive again.At last we have more
support from the Soldiers , who have had mixed emotions,
over the months we have been there.
The Grid was very heavy , Brisbane is "up and running" again,
after a long holiday break and our "regulars" are back..
Our vigil has bought something back to the Streets of Brisbane,
and that is Freedom of Speech.
We have given other's the confidence
to stand up for their rights and for Justice.
We have bought the reality of war to the suburbs.
Perhaps the comment from a soldier in civvies that
we won't attain peace just by "honking" is right -
but as I said to him -at least it's a start!

by Jail Solidarity Sun Feb 10, 2008 07:13

In December 05, four Australian activists ("Christians Against All Terrorism") were arrested while carrying out a citizen's inspection of the U.S. NSA warfighting base near isolated Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia.

In mid-07 Jim Dowling, Adle Goldie, Bryan Law & Donna Mulhearn were found guilty under the Defence Undertakings Act 1952 (the first people to be prosecuted under this act in the 50+ years of its existence!). The Prosecution demanded jail time the Trial Judge repsonded with a fine. The Prosecuciton are now appealing the "inadequate" sentencing, the state has issued arrest warrants for the fines (they are at the same time appealing! go figure!)

Bryan Law is packing his bags in Cairns and heading for Darwin the venue of the State's appeal and warrent for his arrest. he reflects as follows....

Hi folks,

I’m leaving my home in Cairns on Monday 11 February to travel to Darwin, and the beautiful Berrimah Prison. http://www.nt.gov.au/justice/graphpages/corrservs/custo...shtml

Hard case Bradley John Murdoch is in Berrimah, and he has access to television, internet, ping pong tables and film screenings. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=77599

I wonder what I’ll get?

I’m going to Berrimah to cut out the $1,000 fine I received for conducting a citizens’ inspection of the US-run Pine Gap Joint Defence facility. http://gc.nautilus.org/Nautilus/australia/australian-de...-gap/ I was one of four Christians Against ALL Terrorism who entered the sacred, secret, central security compound of Pine Gap on 9 December 2005. If you look at the map, we got into the top right hand corner of the sticky-uppy bit. Two satellite dishes and the C/MAP building (Communications/Multi Antennae Project) that Jim and Adele climbed up on.

The Pine Gap 4 are all gathering in Darwin this month to do our time. I expect we’ll go into custody on Wednesday 13 February. I’ll be staying until at least Friday 22 February. For the last three days of my imprisonment I’ll be attending the Court of Criminal Appeal in Darwin, to defend myself against the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions who wants to send us all to prison for an unspecified period (months or years).

So while I can be in charge of going into prison, I can’t be 100% confident about when I’ll be getting back out. When will I see my wife and son again? That’s a weird feeling.

Many Cairns residents already know that I’m a follower and advocate of spiritual nonviolence – Christian, Gandhian, Buddhist, pagan or whatever – and of using nonviolent direct action (NVDA) as a social change agent. Forest Protection, Skyrail, Daintree, Cairns Post, Reconciliation, Warships and getting up Kevin Byrne’s nose are things where I’ve been involved in NVDA that’s gained community attention.

The Pine Gap action with my fellow Christians Against ALL Terrorism is by far the most successful action I’ve ever been part of. It’s been running for two and a half years now. It’s gained national media attention on six different occasions, with at least one more to go. It’s revealed ASIO and the AFP at work. We’ve had four camps at Alice Springs, which involved and nurtured a nonviolence community each time of 6 to 36 as participation grew. We’ve made friends around Australia and the world. We started as six people.

We’ve found out a lot more about what Pine Gap is and does. It’s a gleaming high tech machine being used for some of the darkest and most insane (demonic) military activity/terror on our planet. Read this US document to get a picture of what Pine gap contributes to. http://space.au.af.mil/stratcom/spacemissions.htm You’ll find Pine Gap’s functions under “Space Force Enhancements”.

“Space assets have provided key support to coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, the most digitally intensive conflict ever, with virtually every military platform linked by satellite. Military satellites help choose bomb targets, guide precision munitions, provide weather reports, warn of missile launches, let commanders talk to one another, and allow soldiers to pinpoint their position”. Pine Gap makes a much more vital contribution to US warfighting than any amount of combat troops in Iraq or Afghanistan.

We’ve provoked a massive over-reaction by the state – which has spent millions of dollars on base security, and on our prosecution. On the base there are new buildings, more police, and “enhanced” security and alarm systems at Pine Gap (to prevent further civil disobedience actions?). Will they succeed? How far will they go? Can we charge them a fee for testing their security apparatus? Here’s an article I’ve written about the Civil Liberties aspects of our action so far. http://www.cairnspeacebypeace.org/index.php?option=com_...id=42

Here’s an article from the Sydney Morning Herald which lists our case in the context of diminishing civil liberties in Australia. http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/another-bundle-of-in....html

Our project appears to be self-funding, with donations meeting expenses since 2006. We enjoyed attention from two Cabinet Ministers in the Howard government, including the wonderfully compassionate Attorney General Philip Ruddock. How many people can say they’ve got a personally signed certificate from Minister
Ruddock authorising their prosecution? The Pine Gap 4 each have one.

We’ve begun a new cycle of engagement with the Rudd Labor government. Here’s a letter to ALP Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon. http://www.cairnspeacebypeace.org/index.php?option=com_...id=42

Click on the “minister for defence” link at the bottom of the page.

Christians Against ALL Terrorism are going back to the sacred compound at Pine Gap on ANZAC Day 2008. There’ll be solidarity actions in Australia and New Zealand.

We know we’re having an effect because the state continues to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars prosecuting us in the Courts. So far their strategy is failing and our strategy is succeeding.

Blessed are the peacemakers
for they shall be called children of God
Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven

Spiritually our focus has been on the Sermon on the Mount, and its call to love our enemies. Our action provides us with a lot of opportunity to put that call into action, with our critics and prosecutors, as well as with each other. Irrespective of material achievements, our actions have enriched and strengthened our lives and communities. The trial in June last year, and the community of resistance we built around it, was a peak moment for me.

I’m looking forward to another 3 days in Court, this time with a panel of 3 Supreme Court judges, discussing appropriate penalties for civil disobedience, in the particular circumstances of our action. I’ve never been in front of such a senior Court before. The only avenue of appeal from here will be to the High Court, if it grants us leave. I love my days in Court. A Court-room is such a civilised place to have such an argument. I’ll be invoking Lord Hoffman, from the British Law Lords, and his take on civil disobedience.

On the other hand Berrimah Prison is a fabulous place to punish any activists who misjudge the nature and extent of a state’s right to deal forcibly with the citizens. It’s been 20 years since i spent any time in a prison, and I’m not looking forward to going back.

I remember prisons as places of sensory deprivation and routine humiliation. Filled with men and boys in trouble. But I also remember them as places where the structural violence in the heart of our society is clearly visible, and where a literate man can make a useful contribution. I’m in for a period of contemplation and reflection. You can write to me at

Bryan Law, Prisoner

c/- Darwin Correctional Centre
GPO Box 1407,
Darwin NT 0801
AUSTRALIA

See you whenever.

by Mark C Sun Feb 10, 2008 16:32

You're an inspiration to many people. Keep it up.

Mark.

by Worcester CW Mon Feb 11, 2008 23:29 Worcester, MA, U.S.A.

Worcester CW Lentern Fast & Prayer for an End to the War in Iraq

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_benedetti/sets/721576...5916/

*Franz Jagerstaerter was an Austrian Catholic decapitated for refusing the Nazi draft

by Marty Denzer Sat Feb 16, 2008 19:38 U.S.A.

KANSAS CITY - Inspired by the witness of Blessed Franz Jagerstatter,
the national Catholic Worker House network invited the Catholic Worker
communities across the United States to become part of a church alive
in action and word this Lenten season.

Continued on link.......
http://catholickey.org/index.php3?gif=news.gif&mode=vie...=4923

by Z Tue Feb 19, 2008 06:04

On Friday 15 February, London Catholic Workers (former Shannon banshee) Zelda Jeffers and Fr. Martin Newell appeared before Stratford Magistrates for pouring fake blood on Excel Centre, East London the first morning of the DSEI Arms Fair 12th September 2008. The Custom House entrance was closed to both the sellers and buyers as a result.They were charged with criminal damage at one of the entrances to the World Largest Arms Fair.

(On reading the charge it was found that the word "destroyed" had been written instead of "damaged".) Although admitting that they poured fake blood, both denied that it was criminal damage. In speaking to the court Zelda made some moving and powerful arguments. She said that she felt she had to do something to prevent children being killed by the arms that were on sale. She reminded the court of the young boy who had, two weeks before the arms fair, been killed by a gun which had been bought and sold.

Martin also refused to accept that his act was criminal in any way. He pointed out that splashes of paint are to be found in the Tate Gallery to convey a powerful message. Having poured the fake blood had then knelt down to pray. He was dragged away and arrested. Martin mentioned the Nuremberg Trials which established the principle that to prevent a greater crime from being carried out it was the duty of a citizen and necessary for him to do what could be seen as causing damage to prevent that greater crime. .

He gave the example of a firemen having to break into buildings to save lives. What he was doing at ExCel was trying to prevent great crimes being carried out by those who purchased the weapons of offer. He mentioned the Cluster Bombs used by Israel in Lebanon etc.

The Magistrates asked the legal advisor to advise them on the Nuremberg Acts. Both Martin and Zelda stated that if fined they would not pay.

After consideration Zelda was given 12 months conditional discharge with £175 costs and £50 compensation. Martin, who has a previous record of nonviolent direct action for peace was fined £200, £175 costs and £50 compensation . £15 was added to the bill for each as a surcharge for victim support. Both were told that if they did not pay they would have to return to the court at the on 18th March "

by London CW Tue Feb 19, 2008 15:50

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/391777.html

by Feilce - N.R. Tue Feb 26, 2008 05:49 Arizona, USA

Hi,

Kyle Johnson with Radio Free Silver, who videotaped the Festival of
Hope on February 3, has the first half of the Festival up on his
website.

Part 1 is up at
http://radiofreesilver.com/programs/080222_foh1.shtml

Part 2 soon to come...

by LACW Sat Mar 01, 2008 18:37 California, USA

Anti-Military Protesters to Rally Against Vandenberg
Event to Commemorate 25 Years of Resistance to Air Force Base

http://www.independent.com/news/2008/feb/29/anti-milita...berg/

County activists will gather at Vandenberg Village this weekend to
reflect on a quarter-century of protests against the air force base
and the military performed done there. On Sunday, March 2, at noon,
activists will gather in Vandenberg Village at the corner of Burton
Mesa and Constellation roads. At 1:00 p.m., following the gathering, amarch protesting the testing of intercontinental ballistic missiles
(ICBMs) will take place from Vandenberg Village to the front gate of
the Vandenberg Air Force Base. For 25 years, citizens have resisted
Vandenberg Air Force Base's ICBM missile testing due to alleged
violations of U.S. treaty duties and international law. Speakers
include Bruce Gagnon of the Global Network against Weapons and NuclearPower in Space program and Nobel Prize nominee Fr. John Dear.

Many different peace groups are sponsoring the event. Some include Los Angeles Catholic Worker http://lacatholicworker.org/ , Santa Barbara Chapter of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and Trinity Nuclear Abolitionists.

by 3 Arrested Tue Mar 04, 2008 03:48 California, USA

Monday, March 3, 2008
Santa Barbara

Peace Activists Still Protest Missile Tests
Scores Gather, Three Are Arrested for 25th Anniversary at AFB

http://www.independent.com/news/2008/mar/03/peace-activ...ests/

by Fr. Louie Vitale Sat Mar 08, 2008 15:05 U.S.A.

Fr. Louie Vitale is presently imprisoned in Imperial County Jail for nonviolent resistance to torture training at Fort Huachucah, Arizona.
www.tortureontrial.org
Louie served with the U.S. Air Force before becoming a Franciscan monk. He was provincial of the west coast province of the Franciscans and integral in the development of the Franciscan "Nevada Deset Experience" resistnace to nuclear tests in Nevada. He has served many prison sentences for anti-nuke/anti-war, School of the Americas resistance.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day - January 21, 2008 - 40 years later

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. -STILL A PROPHET FOR OUR TIME

Two years ago at this time, I was in a Georgia jail. I could not help
but remember having lived in southern Georgia (Valdosta) while
training with the U.S. Air Force in 1956. It was very shocking to me
to see the overt signs of racism. A close friend in the squadron
could not meet us in town-he was denied access and subject to
segregation in Valdosta. He was an outstanding officer and effective
crew member. I can still remember the day we took off in two
different planes to practice intercepts on each other. We were
notified that the other crew was not available. I did notice a plume
of dark black smoke. Yes, our 2 companions had crashed on take off. I never have been able to get over his zeal to do his all to defend our country and yet he and his family were denied housing, restaurant seats, even directed to "colored" bathrooms and water fountains. He also had a flyer placed on his windshield-"Vote for Lester Maddox," with an axe handle in hand, Maddox's logo.

Yes, we have come a long way since that era - but have Dr. King's
deeper dreams been realized? The local Imperial Valley newspaper
today did look back 40 years and asked "have we really achieved the
depths of his vision, especially in the latter days of his life: true
equality for all peoples?" In 2006, the racial inequities were
obvious in the Georgia jails that I was in. The vast majority of
people that are incarcerated are African Americans. Racial bias is
patent. Sentences given take away the lives of the youth. This year
in Florence, Arizona, where some 3,000 of 3,700 prisoners were
Mexican also raised many questions-was the segregation of southern Georgia any match for the wall on the border?

Martin Luther King shared with Cesar Chavez the vision and goal of a multi-racial and multi-cultural society where power, responsibility,
visions and burdens are shared. Echoing Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker, "It's that filthy, rotten system." King challenged a
capitalism that brings about great inequalities. The gap between the
very rich and the poor is extreme, the poor fight our wars-giving
their lives and devastating the lives and lands of the poor of the
world.

Yes, after the idyllic "I Have a Dream" speech whose remembering on this holiday evokes an image of children of all races walking hand in hand to live lives together-of opportunity and abundance, later King led his marches through the cities of the North. There the fire hoses were unfurled, the dogs unleashed. I was in Chicago the summer of 1965 as a graduate student, living with the friars on the South Side. We went to Allen Chapel and listened to Dr. King preach about "Dives and Lazarus" - a message of great compassion. It was the ingredient for a system that this prophet advocated to replace runaway capitalism. But on Monday as they marched in the streets, King testified that the streets were meaner than in the South-fire hoses, impaled marchers on trees, walls and asphalt. Dogs were unleashed on seasoned bearers of nonviolence. Children were under attack, and even Catholic sisters in their religious habits, accompanying the protestors, claimed to have bricks thrown at them by their former parochial school students.

Yes, Dr. King faced a tougher world after the great Peoples' March in
1963, as he reached hard-core impoverished workers in the South and in the North. He realized we needed a "revolution of values," based on compassion and justice for all. Yes, he planned to go back to the U.S. Capitol, but not for "a beautiful day" to join hands, but also for an expression of truth. Yes, a million activists who would stay until justice was won.

But something even deeper had radically affected King. The Vietnam
War was fought by the poor of the ghettoes against the poor of Asia.
For King it was a turning moment - a "teshuva" - he had an urgent
message to bear to our world.

We are aware that we are trapped in the same unrestrained madness with its staggering impact on our country and the terrible
devastation of Afghanistan and Iraq. Some estimates are they have
lost as high as a million lives-largely children, and the devastation
of 2 countries not seen since the war of which King spoke at
Riverside Church in New York City in 1967, a year before his death.
His words were truly prophetic at that time - perhaps he can once
again challenge us today. [Ed. Note: King's speech at Riverside
Church is entitled Declaration of Independence from the War
in Vietnam, and all quotes in the remaining paragraphs are from that
speech.

I recall the first time I listened to this memorable speech how
startling it struck me. As I reread it this week, I realize that very
few proper noun changes would update his message for today's pulpit. Prophetic voices never die, and still bear the force to change
history. Martin had just one year to the day to bear the prophet's
mantle. But his prophetic nonviolence continues to impact the world.
The assassin's bullet found its way to stifle his actions of
nonviolence and silence his denouncement of the war. But we cannot afford to allow that bullet to stifle his prophecy for our times.

Dr. King shocked many when he spoke out so forcefully and cogently against the Vietnam War. Even his own colleagues felt he could have a negative impact on the Civil Rights campaigns. But Martin had come to see that poverty was a great part of injustice - and saw that the Vietnam War had a major impact on the poor.

Further, he realized that the bombing was a crucifixion to the poor
of Vietnam-in fact he insisted that war inevitably impacts the poor
of the world. He stated, "So I was increasingly compelled to see the
war as an enemy of the poor and to attack it as such."

King was a disciple of Gandhi. He was a student and an activist
practitioner of nonviolence. But he found it very hard at that time
to speak out against the violence advocated by activists in our own
country. After experiencing the ghettos of the North and trying to
convince those who were using violence to attempt to bring about
social change to use nonviolent means, he noticed that "They asked if our own nation wasn't using massive violence to solve its problems, to bring about changes it wantedŠI knew I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettoes without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today, my own government."

To those who may think King is exaggerating this sentiment of
returning soldiers, I can attest to having this discussion in the Las
Vegas ghetto with very disturbed returning Vietnam Vets unable to get jobs, finding impoverished segregated communities who were planning to react as they had in 'Nam.'

King continues, "Now, it should be incandescently clear that no one
who has any concern for the integrity and life of America today can
ignore the present war. If America's soul becomes totally poisoned,
part of the autopsy must read 'Vietnam.' It can never be saved so
long as it destroys the deepest hopes of men the world overŠSo far we may have killed a million of them, mostly childrenŠNow there is
little left to build on, save bitterness. Soon the only solid
physical foundations remaining will be found at our military bases.We must speak for them and raise the questions they cannot raise. Here is the true meaning and value of compassion and nonviolence, when it helps us to see the enemy's point of view"

"Somehow this madness must cease. I speak as a child of God, speak as a citizen of the world, for the world as it stands aghast at the path we have taken. I speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in this war is ours. The initiative to
stop must be ours."

"Meanwhile, we in the churches and synagogues have a continuing task while we urge our government to disengage itself from a disgraceful commitment. We must be prepared to match actions with words by seeking out every creative means of protest possible. Every man of humane convictions must decide on the protest that best suits his convictions, but we must all protest."

"Now let us begin. Now let us re-dedicate ourselves to the long and
bitter, but beautiful, struggle for a new world. This is the calling
of the sons of God, and our brothers wait eagerly for our response.
Shall we say the odds are too great? Shall we tell them the struggle
is too hard? Will our message be that the forces of American life
militate against their arrival as full men, and we send our deepest
regrets? Or will there be another message, of longing, of hope, of
solidarity with their yearnings, of commitment to their cause,
whatever the cost? The choice is ours, and though we might prefer it
otherwise we must choose in this crucial moment of human history."

Unfortunately Martin Luther King Jr.'s share of that human history
had but a year to go. There is strong evidence of a clear connection
between King's campaign against the Vietnam War, as well as his
avowal to fill the Capitol with determined activists on behalf of the
poor of America (joined by anti-war activists) not just to hold hands
and sing but in true nonviolence to immobilize "business as usual"
until clear actions were taken to address effectively the war on
poverty, to bring the troops home to their communities and restore
the country so devastated by a grossly debilitating and immoral war.

As we celebrate Black History Month during February, I always recall
which month by remembering Dick Gregory telling black students in Las Vegas: "We really didn't expect to get a month with 31 days, but 28!" Well, this year we get the extra leap day-surely as we did on the
National King Day, we will recall King's '63 Dream speech. Could we
take our extra 24 hours to read, perhaps communally, his '67 vision?
Can we catch his prophetic spirit deeper, making our own turning
("teshuva"), put our lives on the line - challenge ourselves to end
the massive killing at home and abroad, stop business as usual and ride his dream to a "peaceable new heavens" ("no nukes in space") and a new earth: no wars anywhere, ever, true peace and sharing of the abundance for all-Pastor Martin truly believed the source of all creation would one day open the way, we must choose life-of all and for all-

The night before he was assassinated, 40 years ago on April 3, 1968, King spoke these prophetic words: "It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence. It is nonviolence or nonexistence." Yes, as the proliferation of nuclear weapons spreads far beyond King had imagined we must all resist nuclear war in whatever ways we are able. But ever the man of faith and vision, Pastor Martin insisted to hope is "to refuse to give up!"

We are created to live in a peaceful world-may King's prophetic
spirit continue to point the way!

Your brother,
Louie

by 44 Arrested in D.C. Tue Mar 11, 2008 09:47 D.C. USA

Joshua Casteel addresses interfaith gathering before NVDA
http://photo.jonahhouse.org/interfaith-witness3-08/IMG_....html

Photos of interfaith service preceeding 44 arrests at the Hart Building in D.C. on March 7th.
http://www.jonahhouse.org/xian_witness08.htm

by Des Moines Catholic Worker Tue Mar 11, 2008 20:10 Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Des Moines Catholic Workers Kirk Brown and Mona Shaw attempted to make a citizen's arrest on Karl Rove at the opening of his talk on Sunday March 9th talk in Iowa City. Shaw and Brown stood before an audience that included about 200 protesters decrying Rove's appearance. The message of the protesters included written and spoken exposes of Rove's criminal and traitorous acts as well as shaming the University of Iowa for providing a climate of legitimacy for a man they believed should instead be indicted. Protesters showed up to expose Rove for
the criminal and traitor that he is, to call shame on the University
of Iowa for paying Rove $40,000 to speak and providing him a venue of legitimacy on the University of Iowa campus.

In a speech at a protest rally held before Rove's talk, Des Moines
Catholic Worker Frank Cordaro submitted the reasoning behind the need to attempt citizen's arrests of Rove whenever the opportunity arose.

"Iowans need to ask the bigger question of why Karl Rove is an
un-indicted war criminal and a free man. Isn't it because of our
gutless Congress, unwilling to do its duty and start impeachment
proceedings on Bush and Cheney and to start a war crimes case against Rove 'the architect' to Bush's War on Iraq? Isn't it because our judicial system, starting with the Supreme Court has been bought off or scared off by the national security interest running our country? And in our democracy when the Presidency is controlled by an criminal gang and the Congress and Judicial branch or our government are unwilling to do the right and just thing, it is left up to ordinary citizens to step into the breach and attempt to make citizens arrest of people like Karl Rove."

Brown and Shaw attempted such a citizen's arrest immediately following Rove's introduction. Both held and began to read a written "Citizen's Arrest Complaint" that cited Federal Criminal statutes and the Iowa Code. Before they could finish reading the complaint, they were taken into custody by University Police, informed they were under arrest, and removed from the hall. Both were released in the foyer leading to the hall and not allowed to return to the talk.

It is time for other citizens of conscience, as well, to take up the
challenge and bear our civic obligation to attempt citizen's arrests
of Karl Rove whenever the opportunity arises. This should be done so Rove will always know that even though he and his friends in the White House may have silenced the Congress and Judicial branch of our government, they have not silenced the People who know of their crimes and will not rest until justice is done.

---------------------------------------------------

Citizen's Arrest Complaint

United States of America, plaintiff
v.
Karl Christian Rove, defendant

Under the authority provided private citizens by Iowa Code: 804.9.2,
you, Karl Christian Rove, are being placed under arrest for high
crimes against the people of the United States committed during your role as Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush as well as while serving as a campaign consultant during the U.S. presidential elections of 2000 and 2004.

You are charged with willful violation of the following federal codes
between the dates of January 1, 2000 until the present.

US Code: Title 42, the Voting Rights Act, for ELECTION FRAUD in the
2000 and 2004 presidential elections US Code, Chapter 19.371,
CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT OFFENSE OR TO DEFRAUD UNITED STATES, for false information leading to the War in Iraq,

Several sections of US Code, Chapter 115, TREASON, SEDITION, AND SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES including, but not limited to submitting and fomenting false information leading to the War in Iraq, illegal detainment and torture of prisoners in Guantanamo and elsewhere, and other fraudulent acts leading to the deaths of nearly 4,000 U.S. military personnel as well as approximately 300,000 Iraqi civilians.

Further, you may also be indicted for other violations of federal code
not listed in this complaint.

Any United States Marshall or any authorized U.S. Law Enforcement
Officer present is obligated under the provisions of Iowa Code 804.9.2 to take you into custody and bring you forthwith before the nearest magistrate to answer these charges and to advise you of your rights which include:

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be
used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an
attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If
you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government
expense.

Respectfully submitted by and for citizens of the state of Iowa
On this 9th day of March, 2008.

Kirk Brown, DM Catholic Worker Community
1310 7th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314

Mona Shaw, DM Catholic Worker Community
1310 7th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314

*Frank Cordaro's Speech Before Attempted Citizen's Arrest of Karl Rove
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0_p7OHdHpiM&feature=user

by CW Fri Mar 14, 2008 06:50

http://www.desmoinescatholicworker.org/karlrovearrest.html

by 2 arrested - Des Moines Catholic Worker Wed Mar 19, 2008 21:05 Des Moines, Iowa, USA

A military recruiting center was briefly shutdown today
in Des Moines (Iowa, USA). Two people were arrested after a group carried a flag-draped coffin into the foyer of the Armed Forces Career Center on SE 14th Street in Des Moines, and blocked the entrance to the four Armed Forces branches that have offices there. Today is the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the start of the Iraq War.

Edward Bloomer, 61, and Kirk Brown, 25, both Des Moines Catholic
Workers were among about a dozen protesters holding anti-war signs and distributing "anti-recruitment" literature. Mona Shaw, 56, also a Catholic Worker told those present the group was there to do three things:

1. Mourn the tragic lost of life caused by the war including nearly
4,000 military personnel and more than one million Iraqis.

2. To send a plea to others to do more to stop the war.

3. To protect more young adults from losing their lives by shutting
down military recruiting at the Des Moines recruiting center for at
least one day.

The office shutdown was cut short after about 40 minutes when Des
Moines Police arrived. After consulting briefly with recruiting
staff, a staff member from each branch office emerged from that office and asked the protesters to leave. Most protesters chose to leave at that time with police finally arresting Bloomer and Brown who were continuing to block the Center's entrance. Kirk Brown was cited and released. Ed Bloomer was taken to the Polk Co Jail, presumably to spend the night in jail and go before a judge tomorrow.

"When we were protesting "Shock and Awe" five years, ago we feared
aloud then that this war would last this long," said Brian Terrell,
51, another Catholic Worker from Malloy, Iowa, and director of
Catholic Peace Ministry "We take no satisfaction in making such an
accurate prophecy."