Compiled by Johnny Zokovitch
Each week “On The Line” features news items and announcements from around the nation featuring Pax Christi members, local groups, regions and partners. We’re also going to start including regular monthly features in “On The Line” which focus on resisters, Pax Christi International, and new groups. This week, we’ll be featuring the witness of resisters.
RESISTANCE SPOTLIGHT
1) Y-12 TRIAL THIS WEEK: This week marks the beginning of the trial of 12 resisters who were charged with trespassing at the Y-12 plant in Oak Ridge, TN. The local NBC affiliate ran this story on the trial earlier this week. On trial are (including several with Pax Christi ties):
- Steve Baggarly of Norfolk, Virginia
- Brad Lyttle of Chicago, Illinois
- Jackie Hudson of Poulsbo, Washington
- Bill Bichsel of Seattle, Washington
- Bonnie Urfer of Luck, Wisconsin
- Mary Dennis Lentsch of Washburn, Tennessee
- Beth Rosdatter of Lexington, Kentucky
- Carol Gilbert and Ardeth Platte of Baltimore, Maryland
- Michael Walli of Duluth, Minnesota
- Dennis DuVall of Prescott, Arizona
- Jean Gump of Bloomington, Michigan
You can follow updates on the trial on the The Nuclear Abolitonist blog.
2) ANTI-DRONE ACTION IN SYRACUSE: An anti-drone demonstration took place in Syracuse, NY on April 22. Thirty-seven people were arrested for blocking the entrance to Hancock Air National Guard Base after being told to move by sheriffs. Demonstrators were charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental administration. To see a video report-back on this action, click here. Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace Kathy Kelly and others were participants in this action.
3) 52 ARRESTED PROTESTING NUCLEAR WEAPONS PLANT: Former Pax Christi USA intern and now journalist with NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER Joshua McElwee filed this story on 52 people arrested on May 2 in Kansas City after blocking the gate to the construction site of what will be the nation’s first nuclear weapons production facility to be built in 33 years. The action was the culmination of a “faith and resistance” retreat.
STATEMENT ON BIN LADEN KILLING: Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace, of which Pax Christi Southern California is a member, issued a statement immediately following the death of Osama bin Laden. The statement begins, “As with many others, we have been hoping that Osama Bin Laden, along with others who have perpetuated war and violence, including many of our own leaders in the U.S., would be brought to justice one day. We must not confuse justice with vengeance. It seems that since the U.S. started down the path of revenge, violence, and war as the response to September 11th, this latest incident of killing Osama Bin Laden is yet another step on this path.”
THE COST OF WAR: Pax Christi Muskegon (MI) was featured in an article in THE MUSKEGON CHRONICLE earlier this week for their event looking at the costs of war. Chuck Thompson of the Open Peace and Education Network will examine the costs of war from a humanitarian and the economic standpoint, with a general discussion to follow.
MAINE CONFERENCE: Pax Christi Maine invites people to join them from 9am to 3:30pm on May 14 at St. Mary’s Church Hall in Bangor for their annual assembly. The assembly will include a presentation by Sally Chappell, former environmental health consultant for the Maine Council of Churches, on the effects of toxic chemicals in our daily lives. Her presentation will be followed by a viewing of the film, Scarred Lands and Wounded Lives, about the environmental impact of war and militarization. For more information on this event, click here than scroll down the page.
INTERFAITH ORGANIZATIONS HOLD UP VOICES OF AMERICAN MUSLIMS: On Monday, members of the Hudson County Brotherhood/Sisterhood Association gathered at St. Peter’s Hall at St. Peter’s College for a panel discussion entitled “What America Means to Me”. The event intended to highlight the contributions that ordinary Muslim Americans have made, and continue to make to American society and our local community. Pax Christi New Jersey was a participant and co-sponsor of this event.
DC EVENT WITH REV. SEAN MCDONAGH: Pax Christi USA is co-hosting an event featuring Rev. Sean McDonagh at the Center of Concern in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, May 17. McDonagh’s focus will be on sustainable development. He is an internationally recognized eco-theologian, author, lecturer, and consultant to Catholic Church leadership, World Council of Churches, governments, and civil society organizations.
IN BRIEF: Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace Sr. Mary Lou Kownacki, OSB was featured in a blog on the site of Ode Magazine entitled “People, Passion, Possibilities… Pax Christi Michigan uploaded the speech given by Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace Kathy Kelly at their 2010 state conference to YouTube… Pax Christi USA’s Director for Institutional Advancement Ron Cruz was featured on Catholic.net in a story discussing the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment… Pax Christi Duluth (MN) is now on Facebook…
- Send your news items, announcements, photos and links to stories about Pax Christi groups or members to johnnypcusa@yahoo.com.