Peace Activists Face 25 Years for Action at U.S. Nuclear Submarine Base

It only took two hours for a jury to convict seven Catholic Plowshares activists in the USA on 24th October, for their protests on the Kings Bay nuclear submarine base in Georgia (USA) last year. The seven were charged with a range crimes, including trespassing, depredation of government property.

The activists, Elizabeth McAlister,78, Stephen Kelly,69, Carmen Trotta,55, Mark Colville,55, Martha Hennessy,62, Clare Grady,59, and Patrick O’Neill,61, some of whom were in jail while awaiting the trial, took action on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. The action aimed to show how nuclear weapons kill every day by their mere existence and maintenance. During the trial, the activists emphasised the immorality of nuclear weapons, how their actions are based on their beliefs in God and their support of Dr Martin Luther King. In their decision, the jury unanimously found all seven guilty of all charges.

The date for their sentencing hearing has not been set yet. The peace activists may face up to 25 years in jail. To support them via a global petition and get more information see here: https://kingsbayplowshares7.org