17 Activists Arrested At MLK Event at Trident Submarine Base

120 people were present at the demonstration commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the gates of Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor on January 19th. After the eleven demonstrators were arrested by Naval Base security, six other demonstrators blocked the highway entrance to the base with a banner which stated, “Abolish Nuclear Weapons.” The six were arrested by Kitsap County Sheriffs.

Demonstrators also hung a large banner over the entrance to the Trident submarine base which stated, "Share the Dream of a World without War."

At 2 PM on Saturday, demonstrators walked from the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action to the entrance of Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. The Trident submarine base at Bangor is located 20 miles west of Seattle. It is the last active nuclear weapons depot on the West Coast and is the place of deployment for approximately 1,360 nuclear warheads. Another 1,000 warheads are stored on the base in inactive reserve. The Trident base at Bangor has the largest stockpile of nuclear warheads in the United States.

After a vigil for peace at the base, six demonstrators entered the highway on federal property, walking arm-in-arm toward the base while singing “We Shall Overcome.” At the same time, five other demonstrators blocked the highway entrance to the Trident submarine base while holding a banner with a statement by Dr. King which stated, "When scientific power outruns spiritual power, we end up with guided missiles and misguided men."

A total of 17 demonstrators were arrested at the highway entrance into the base.

Those arrested by Naval Base security: Jon Bowers, 24, and Sophie Siemion, 19, of Bremerton; Fr. Bill Bichsel, S.J., 79, of Tacoma; Ann Kittridge, 50, of Quilcene; Jack Fogelberg, 48, of Auburn; Nicole Scott, 22, of Shoreline; Gemma Borys, 27, and Susan Borys, 58, of Vaughn; Kerry Fitzpatrick, 51, of Gig Harbor; Gabrielle LaValle, 41, of Lynnwood; and David Damstrom, 61, of Seattle.

Those arrested by Kitsap County Sheriffs: Larry Kerschner, 61, of Pe Ell; Joy Goldstein, 72, of Vashon; Kathryn Poole, 43, of Sedro Woolley; and Rev. Anne Hall, 62, David Hall, 61, and Glen Milner, 56, of Seattle.

The eleven demonstrators arrested by Naval Base security were booked and released. One demonstrator, Fr. Bill Bichsel, was issued a federal citation for trespass, 18 USC 1392.

The six demonstrators arrested by Kitsap County Sheriffs were booked and later released in Port Orchard. Demonstrators were told they may be charged with “attempted disorderly conduct”, with a maximum 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

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The Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action was founded in 1977. The center is on 3.8 acres adjoining the Trident submarine base at Bangor, Washington. The Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action offers the opportunity to explore the roots of violence and injustice in our world and to experience the transforming power of love through nonviolent direct action. We resist all nuclear weapons, especially the Trident submarine system.

The next planned nonviolent direct action at Bangor will be in honor of Mother’s Day in May 2008.

For additional information: http://www.gzcenter.org