Seven arrested in nuke protest

Seven people were arrested during a Mother’s Day protest at Subase Bangor.

Forty-five participated in the non-violent demonstration protesting nuclear weapons.

Those arrested: Mack Johnson of Silverdale, Joy Goldstein of Vashon Island, Alice Zillah, Ray Kelleher and Shannon Nelson-Deighan of Olympia, and Eric Carlberg and Glen Milner of Seattle.

Protesters carried signs reading “War is not healthy for children and other living things.” Demonstrators carried cardboard cut-outs of children which they used to block the entrance to the base, according to a representative of Ground Zero for Nonviolent Action of Poulsbo.

Naval Subase Bangor is the Pacific home for nine Trident subs and 1,760 nuclear warheads, according to Ground Zero sources. Currently, the base is refitting the subs for deployment of the Trident D-5 missile system, and installing Tomahawk cruise missiles on four older subs.

All those arrested were booked at the Sheriff’s office and released. An arraignment date was set for June 17. If formally charged, it could be the first attempt to prosecute non-violent protesters since February 2000.

Kitsap County prosecutors have been unable to get convictions against non-violent activists arrested at Bangor. Juries and judges have found that people arrested at Bangor have the legal right to redress grievances under international and U.S. law.

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