Direct Action – Page 32

August 6, 2018 by Nukewatch Leave a Comment

July 23 action occupying a live German Air Force base runway

On Monday July 23, a group of seven German activists led by Quaker organizers got through the fence and occupied the runway just as the day’s Tornado fighter jet flights were getting underway.
The runway occupation was so disturbing to the air base authorities, that for the first time in 20 years of protest, an Air Force pilot trainer escorted by a high ranking civil police officer came directly into peace camp to complain about the “dangerous” demonstration. Protesters replied that the danger is relatively tiny compared to handling nuclear weapons and practicing for nuclear war.
In photo, John LaForge and Susan Crane from the Redwood City California Catholic Worker helped cut the fence for the seven to get through.

Seven participants in a “Quaker go-in action” July 23 stopped traffic on the 1.5-mile-long air base runway, hitting a nerve with air force authorities who sent a high-ranking pilot trainer to the camp in person (with a police liaison) to complain. The seven runway occupiers were released after being detained and ID’d, and the authorities told the press that charges may be pending.

Quakers go-in action saw seven get on the live runway 10 a.m. July 23.

August 6, 2018 by Nukewatch Leave a Comment

July 15 action cutting through fences and arriving at the nuclear missile bunker!

John LaForge helped cut through chain link and “NATO wire” — a form of razor wire– for one of the five affinity groups that participated in the July 15 “go-in” action. A total of 18 people got into the base, making it the largest group to “go-in” since 1997 when 19 people did so. Photo by Ralf Schlesener.

The “Jay Hawks” affinity group was Ann Suellentrop of Kansas City KS (at right in photo), Marion Kuepker, Camp coordinator and International coordinator for DFG-VK, and John LaForge shown cutting the NATO wire.

Through the fence July 15

Over the NATO wire July 15, 2018

Anthony Donovan of New York, NY, and Margriet Bos of Amsterdam were in an affinity group that got through the fence and NATO wire July 15.

Final destination!

On top of a nuclear bomb bunker

After being detained and released

16 of the 18 that did July 15 “go-in” are in this photo after being let off the military bus used to take us to the far end of the air base. Photo by Ralf Schlesener.

Eighteen people — one in a wheelchair, one on crutches — including citizens of Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, and Britain, got into the nominally high-security Buechel nuclear weapons in Germany Sunday July 15 after cutting through its perimeter fence and through NATO wire in five different places, in broad daylight. Photo by Ralf Schlesener.

August 6, 2018 by Nukewatch Leave a Comment

International Week at “Buechel Is Everywhere: Nuclear Weapons-Free Now!”

US delegate CeeCee Anderson from Georgia marched near one of the major gates to the air base with other international participants in a July 13 blockade.

International Youth Blockade

Members of the Mutlangen Student Work Group who participated in International Week. They chose gate No. 1 early on July 16.

The participants of International Week (July 10 to 18) at the “Buechel Is Everywhere: Nuclear Weapons-Free Now!” peace camp, including activists from Germany, US, UK, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Russia, France, Austria, Kazakhstan, New Zealand.

August 6, 2018 by Nukewatch Leave a Comment

And we play- US Nukes out of Germany

Camp art supplies- umbrella base and yarn

Some of the Mutlangen International Youth Team chat near their tents

Several campers brought their instruments and made music at camp and during protests.
Susan Crane and Ann Suellentrop both brought their saxophones, and John LaForge had his trumpet.

John LaForge at main gate

August 6, 2018 by Nukewatch Leave a Comment

Banners do the talking – US Nukes Out of Germany

Susan Crane of Redwood City California Catholic Worker and John LaForge of Nukewatch Wisconsin

One of the many banners at the main gate

Nukewatch banner at the main gate July 6 to Aug 9

Bonnie Urfer of Nukewatch and international week delegation to Peace Camp.

L to R: Marion Kuepker, John LaForge, Susan Crane, CeeCee Anderson, Max Smay, Ann Suellentrop, Anthony Donovan — at the Main Gate, Büchel Air Base, Germany

Dennis DuVall, formerly of Prescott, Arizona, with his banner near the main gate.

Beata and Susan with rainbow flag at the main gate, and home-made street sign that reads: “Atomic weapons forbidden.”