Peace Protests at Vandenberg Space Command / Air Force Base

Feb 24, 11:55 pm, protest night ICBM launch VAFB

2012-01-23T16:32:00.001-08:00

Feb 24 protest at El Segundo (Los Angeles) of ICBM launch Feb 24

2012-01-14T12:28:00.000-08:00

Feb 24 protest of ICBM launch from VAFB to Kwajalein atoll in the Marshall Islands

2012-01-12T10:25:00.000-08:00

Vandenberg Space Command dominates the Pacific

Vandenberg Space Command is located in Southern California 200 miles north of Los Angeles. Poised at the edge of the Pacific, the base routinely test Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. These long range high speed hydrogen bomb delivery systems are tested several times a year landing in the once beautiful Kwajalein atoll in the Marshall Islands. Every three years Vandenberg does an extended range test all the way to Guam.

If North Korea or Iran test a few missiles world wide hysteria breaks out. When the US does these routine tests, it does not even make the news except as a routine report. Many peace activists are not aware that these tests occur, much less the general public. David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, said, “The US moratorium on nuclear testing remains incomplete as long as we continue testing missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads. Minuteman III missiles are used solely to deliver nuclear warheads.”

“The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation seeks the abolition of all nuclear weapons worldwide. The Foundation calls on the United States and all countries around the world to recognize their full obligation to halt all nuclear testing – not only of the warheads, but also of nuclear- capable missiles. The Preamble to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) calls upon the 189 countries that signed the NPT to facilitate “the elimination from national arsenals of nuclear weapons and the means of their delivery.”

“The US is demonstrating a stark double standard by condemning missile tests of other nations while continuing to conduct them on a regular basis itself. Continued testing of Minuteman III missiles by the United States sends a provocative message and encourages other countries to pursue their own nuclear weapon and missile delivery programs.”

Over the decades a dedicated band of Catholic Workers, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and since 1999, the Global Network have held protests at the base. These protests also oppose the Star Wars missile “defense” interceptor launches that also take place from Vandenberg (mostly failed interceptions) and the launch of the polar orbit satellites used to conduct war from space.

Until 2008 most of the protests were held during Keep Space for Peace Week, Hiroshima day or other days chosen by the peace movement. In August of 2008 a small protest was held at night at the time of an ICBM launch. The base authorities over-reacted with a heavy armed detachment surrounding the protesters (three women) and trying to intimidate us. Since then launch time protests have been held at Vandenberg of the ICBM launches. Twice there have been companion protests at the Los Angeles Space and Missile center in El Segundo, which tracks the ICBM trajectory. There have been nighttime arrests of Fr Louie Vitale, Sister Megan Rice and myself who have gone onto the base to ask the commander to comply with international law.

Sept 21 2011 the USAF scheduled an ICBM night launch to Kwajalein atoll. September 21 is the UN International Day of Peace. That day is officially recognized each year by the United Nations General Assembly as a day for “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.” This proposed launch was denounced all over the world, with many nations expressing surprise that the tests were being conducted. This campaign made people worldwide aware that these launches are taking place. The 9/21 launch was postponed.

These ICBM Minuteman III nuclear capable delivery systems are the ones that are armed and set in silos in 450 locations around the mid west of the USA. These cold war legacy hydrogen bombs are on hair trigger alert, thus greatly increasing our risk of accident. Each ICBM carries up to 3 to 12 warheads and can travel 5,000 miles in 30 minutes. Once launched they cannot be recalled. (Steven Starr,http:// www.nucleardarkness.org)

The launching of these tests increases tensions in the world and sends a message that the USA disregards its moral obligations under Article VI of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. This states that the nuclear powers must engage in good faith disarmament efforts. It also violates the 1996 International Court of Justice decision stating that the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is a violation of international law.

The few medium range missiles of the DPRK (North Korea) are used as a pretext for the military build up in the Pacific. The proposed naval base at Jeju Island, although directed toward China, uses the North Korea missiles as its pretext. The expanded Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands is being expanded on Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands. This build up also uses the North Korean “threat” as an excuse.

The island peoples of the Pacific pay the price of this military build up. Jeju, Guam, the Marshall Islands, Hawai’i, Okinawa all join in the call for peace in the Pacific. On Feb 24 and 25 protests are planned around the world to demand a stop to the ICBM test launch. In Santa Barbara Daniel Ellsberg and David Krieger will hold a press conference and rally at 11 am on Feb 24 demand at halt. At midnight (11:55 pm Feb 24) at front gate protest will be held at Vandenberg Space Command six miles north of Lompoc in California.

In the Los Angeles area a protest will be at the Space and Missile tracking center in El Segundo, which is key to the launch. Hawai’i has held many protests against the tracking center on Maui and the expanding Missile site on Kauai. These launches are a world event and a protest can be held at a US embassy or consulate anywhere. email macgregoreddy@gmail.com for details about the Vandenberg and El Segundo events or call 831 206 5043

Jan 4 vigil is 3:45 pm, first Wednesday of each month

2011-11-28T14:24:00.000-08:00

Hello monthly protesters

The consensus is to move our monthly
vigil (protests) to 3:45 pm the first Wednesday of each month. Protesters are allowed to enter the Vandenberg Middle School parking lot as early as 3:35 pm when the school is in session.

Protesters with active ban and barment letters are also allowed to park in the school lot and participate in the protests in the designated protest area without fear of being detained and cited.

Google Groups

2011-10-29T20:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbsked.htm

date of next ICBM launch from Vandenberg Air Force base to Kwajalein atoll set for February 25.

United for Peace and Justice Disarmament Working group calls for protest

2011-10-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

Jackie Cabasso

Feb 24 11:55 pm (midnight)

The United for Peace and Justice Disarmament working group
(convened by Jackie Cabasso)

has called for a protest for the next ICBM launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base to Kwajalein atoll in the Marshall Islands.

The launch set for Sept 21 (World Peace Day) was postponed (officially for technical reasons) but generated world wide attention to the fact that these launches occur routinely.

Green Tortoise bus, with sleeping bunks

launch date set for early hours of Feb 25.

For Northern CA protesters, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom mini grant for transportation to Vandenberg protests has reserved The Green Tortoise bus for the night trip from Oakland (leaving about 5 pm) to Lompoc with pick ups along the way. midnight protest and then return to Oakland by 7 am, with stops Palo Alto, San Jose, Salinas , Santa Cruz.

Protest will start at 11:55 pm Feb 24 (midnight) 2012
The organizations in UFPJ have committed to full support for this action.

Oct 5 Keep Space for Peace, article in Santa Maria Sun by Loring Wirbel

2011-10-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

The following article was posted on October 4th, 2011, in the Santa Maria Sun - Volume 12, Issue 31 [ Submit a Story ]

Protest spotlights space militarization

Vandenberg's testing of strategic missiles and launches of intelligence satellites from the base shouldn't be mistaken for defensive or deterrent measures

BY LORING WIRBEL

When demonstrators gathered for a vigil on Wednesday, Oct. 5, outside Vandenberg Air Force Base, they joined a series of actions in more than 40 locations worldwide marking Keep Space for Peace Week. Actions took place in such locations as Menwith Hill, England; Jeju Island, South Korea; Nagpur, India; Kaua’i, Hawaii; and National Security Agency headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland. Keep Space for Peace Week has been observed for nearly 20 years by the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space (space4peace.org), which was founded in 1992.

The demonstrators at Vandenberg felt confident base authorities would not try to arrest them on public roads adjacent to the base, following a ruling in the Ninth Circuit Court in mid-September in the case of U.S. vs. Hobert Parker, Jr. In previous U.S. District Court decisions in other states, judges rejected the Air Force contention that the boundaries of military bases are malleable, that protesters therefore could be charged with trespass even when they are on public property. The Ninth Circuit ruling specifically refers to Vandenberg and says base boundaries are fixed and may not be re-set by base commanders for reasons of security. Because similar rulings have been made in other federal courts, the judgment is expected to stick, even if the Air Force appeals.

The actions of Global Network members during Keep Space for Peace Week oppose a tenet central to Vandenberg’s mission: Neither the testing of strategic missiles from Vandenberg launch sites, nor the launch of intelligence and communication satellites from the base, should be viewed as defensive or deterrent in nature. Since at least the mid-1990s, such military organizations as Air Force Space Command and U.S. Strategic Command have explicitly declared their mission is to “serve the warfighter.”

For many decades, the world’s military organizations have been the largest users of space, and the 21st-century mix of orbital platforms is 70 percent dominated by the military. During the Cold War, space-based intelligence platforms were claimed to be stabilizing, a deterrent force that provided the “national technical means of verification” for arms control. But since the Cold War ended, the Pentagon has made it very clear space is intended as a “force multiplier to enhance the kill-chain from sensor to shooter.” The talk of defensive use of space has vanished.

Nevertheless, the specific systems addressed by Global Network protesters have changed over the past two decades. The focus on ballistic missile defense systems, which include a space component, has waxed and waned depending on the interest of the particular White House authorities in power. Today, although President Obama has said he is less interested in Star Wars weapons than was his predecessor, Global Network focuses on continued missile-defense weapons used in the ocean, as well as on radar networks and short-range missile systems in Central Europe and Turkey.

During the George W. Bush presidential era, large satellite systems intended for waging war, among them the Transformational Satellite, were challenged by Global Network. Though many of these planned satellites fell victim to budget cuts, current Pentagon doctrine calls for clusters of microsatellites and airborne drones to provide space support to the battlefield.

More recently, Obama’s escalation of the drone wars in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Yemen has underscored the need to explain the way in which navigational and

intelligence satellites enable killer drones. It is true that drones provide a cheaper and politically palatable alternative to troops on the ground and massive air assaults, but the ability of robot planes to target individuals raises this question: When the U.S. targets a U.S. citizen, such as al-Qaeda member Anwar al-Awakli, who was killed on Sept. 30 by a drone, does it violate the pledge made in the 1970s to not use military or intelligence assets to commit assassination? When the ACLU tried to raise that question in a lawsuit six months ago, Obama’s Justice Department declared the entire issue of assassination-by-drone a state secret.

The case of drones is one example of a troubling trend in the Obama administration, one in which Vandenberg plays a critical role. Conventional weapons that can strike anywhere on the Earth’s surface in two hours, including two new breeds of space plane and conventionally armed Minuteman missiles, are now lumped together under a mission called Conventional Prompt Global Strike. These weapons have been assigned to a new Global Strike Command that also has authority over strategic nuclear weapons. Could this joint authority erode the traditional firebreak between conventional and nuclear missiles? Certainly, when the commander of Global Strike visited Vandenberg in the summer of 2010 to witness a Minuteman missile test, there was no longer any mention of intercontinental missiles as a strategic deterrent to global war—only a mention of the Minuteman’s role in “warfighting.”

This year’s theme for Keep Space for Peace Week is “Even in the heavens, war is hell.” Citizens involved in a vigil outside Vandenberg want to remind Lompoc-area residents that Vandenberg’s mission is seldom defensive or deterrent in nature. The militarization of space does not just mean a future war in space—space support allows the perfection of war on the ground, acting in global, instantaneous ways. m

Loring Wirbel is a board member of Global Network, and the author of Star Wars: US Tools of Space Supremacy. He writes about advanced technologies for several online publications. Send comments via the opinion editor at econnolly @santamariasun.com.

Bud Boothe and MacGregor Eddy Oct. 5 Keep Space 4 Peace

2011-10-06T09:34:00.001-07:00

Photo by Scott Fina, there were three of us, but they had two cars and five MP's to watch us. A very tall man in a white van kept threatening to arrest me for the recently set aside ban and bar. He kept yelling what is or is not an easement.

Keep Space for Peace event Oct 5 Vandenberg Air Force Base

2011-09-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc, CA Oct 5

Vigil at space launch base front gate from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
jdapel@yahoo.com
or call or text MacGregor Eddy at 831 206 5043

Keep Space for Peace

www.space4peace.org

Peace One Day, Sept 21 International Day of Peace

2011-09-18T19:47:00.001-07:00

Sept 21 ICBM launch postponed, not cancelled

2011-09-17T18:10:00.000-07:00

Sept 21 ICBM launch from Vandenberg to Kwajalein atoll in the Marshall Islands has been postponed.

Missile Launch on Day of Peace

2011-09-01T11:40:00.001-07:00

US Plans Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Test on International Day of Peace
by David Krieger
August 31, 2011

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In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly created an annual International Day of Peace to take place on the opening day of the regular sessions of the General Assembly. The purpose of the day is for “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.”
Twenty years later, in 2001, the General Assembly, desiring to draw attention to the objectives of the International Day of Peace, gave the day a fixed date on which it would be held each year: September 21st. The General Assembly declared in its Resolution 55/282 that “the International Day of Peace shall henceforth be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day.”
The Resolution continued by inviting “all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, regional and non-governmental organizations and individuals to commemorate, in an appropriate manner, the International Day of Peace, including through education and public awareness, and to cooperate with the United Nations in the establishment of the global ceasefire.”
The United States has announced that its next test of a Minuteman III will occur on September 21, 2011. Rather than considering how it might participate and bring awareness to the International Day of Peace, the United States will be testing one of its nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles that, 20 years after the end of the Cold War, continue to be kept on high-alert in readiness to be fired on a few moments notice.
Of course, the missile test will have a dummy warhead rather than a live one, but its purpose will be to assure that the delivery system for the Minuteman III nuclear warheads has no hitches. As Air Force Colonel David Bliesner has pointed out, “Minuteman III test launches demonstrate our nation’s ICBM capability in a very visible way, deterring potential adversaries while reassuring allies.”
So, on the 2011 International Day of Peace, the United States has chosen not “to honor a cessation of hostilities,” but rather to implement a very visible, $20 million test of a nuclear-capable missile.
Perhaps US officials believe that US missile tests help keep the peace. If so, they have a very different idea about other countries testing missiles. National Security Spokesman Mike Hammer had this to say about Iranian missile tests in 2009: “At a time when the international community has offered Iran opportunities to begin to build trust and confidence, Iran’s missile tests only undermine Iran’s claims of peaceful intentions.”
In 2008, Condoleezza Rice, then Secretary of State, said, “We face with the Iranians, and so do our allies and friends, a growing missile threat that is getting ever longer and ever deeper – and where the Iranian appetite for nuclear technology is, to this point, still unchecked. And it is hard for me to believe that an American president is not going to want to have the capability to defend our territory and the territory of our allies, whether they are in Europe or whether they are in the Middle East against that kind of missile threat.”
The US approach to nuclear-capable missile testing seems to be “do as I say, not as I do.” This is unlikely to hold up in the long run. Rather than testing its nuclear-capable delivery systems, the US should be leading the way, as President Obama pledged, toward a world free of nuclear weapons. To do so, we suggest that he take three actions for the 2011 International Day of Peace. First, announce the cancellation of the scheduled Minuteman III missile test, and use the $20 million saved as a small down payment on alleviating poverty in the US and abroad. Second, announce that the US will take its nuclear weapons off high-alert status and keep them on low alert, as China has done, in order to lower the possibilities of accidental or unauthorized missile launches. Third, declare a ceasefire for the day in each of the wars in which the US is currently engaged. These three actions on the International Day of Peace would not change the world in a day, but they would be steps in the right direction that could be built upon during the other 364 days of the year.

David Krieger is President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation

ICBM test launch set for Sept 21, World Peace Day

2011-08-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

Vandenberg Air Force Base/ Space Command has set the date for the next Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile test launch for September 21. This is World Peace Day.

The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM). As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States. It is one component of a nuclear triad, which is complemented by the Trident submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) and by nuclear weapons carried by long-range strategic bombers.

The letter “L” in “LGM” indicates that the missile is silo-launched; the “G” indicates that it is designed to attack ground targets; the “M” indicates that it is a guided missile.^[1]

The name “Minuteman” comes from the Revolutionary War’s Minutemen. It also refers to its quick reaction time; the missile can be launched in about 1 minute. The Air Force plans to keep the missile in service until at least 2030.^[2]^[3]

The current US force consists solely of 450 Minuteman-III missiles^[4] in missile silos around F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; and Minot AFB, North Dakota.^[1]

These tests violate the spirit and intent of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty and make the world a more dangerous place. Please include a protest against this launch in all Sept 21 world Peace events.

July 27 ICBM launch fails, two arrested.

2011-07-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

The July 27th test missile launch by USA in violation of Non Proliferation Treaty failed!

Fr. Louie Vitale and MacGregor Eddy ( myself ) were arrested at 1:20 am July 27, protesting the launch of a nuclear weapon delivery system from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The missile was destroyed by Vandenberg Air Force Base over the Pacific Ocean because of a malfunction (anomaly ) .

Jim Haber and Mary Lou Anderson of the Nevada Desert Experience as well as world war II veteran Bud Boothe and legal observer Kelly Gray attended at midnight protest of the ICBM launch from Vandenberg Space Command near Lompoc Cal. The nuclear capable, solid fuel, high speed test missile was set to land in Kwajalein atoll, in the Marshall Islands of the Pacific Ocean.

Fr. Louie and I were cited and released to go on trial in federal court later. The US and UN treat North Korea as a danger when the DRPK launches a few, liquid fuel, short to medium range missiles. The US, UN and NATO use the North Korean missile tests as an excuse to build up military in Pacific area. The building of a Naval base on Jeju Island, South Korea is part of this build up. The Aegis destroyers set use the proposed Jeju base (under the mutual defense agreement all South Korean bases are open to US vessels) .

Fr. Louie and myself were inspired by the actions of the people of Gangjeong to go onto the base and attempt to stop the launch by citing international law and the need for world peace. We read the statement by David Krieger of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation which states that these test missile launches create international tension and decrease security.

We made the decision to go onto the base and try to stop the launch when we thought of Brother Song Kang-Ho climbing onto a huge barge to try to persuade the construction crew not to destroy the beautiful coral reef of Jeju Island, the Island of peace. We thought of Mr. Go Kwan-Il lying under a 200 ton crane to stop it from destroying the shore of the island of peace for a base of war. Just because something seems impossible (stopping the launch) does not mean we cannot try to do it if it is the right thing to do. We talked it over and were inspired by the people of Gangjeong to try to stop the launch using non violence and reason and law.

personal note : I am not as brave as the people of Gangjeong, so I was nervous of the huge Air Force Base at night. Fr. Louie was not afraid at all. HIs calm and clarity are amazing.

Fr. Louie felt at home in Lompoc because the federal prison where he lived for the last six months is right there on the same federal land as Vandenberg Air Force Base. He served six months for protesting the teaching of torture and repression at the School of the Americas in Fort Benning Georgia.

When we were arrested we asked the Military Police to then arrest the commander of Vandenberg Air Force Base for violation of an international treaty which under the US constitution is the highest law of the land. All US military swear to defend the Constitution.

(The do not swear to uphold current foreign policy ) They stated "no comment".

Louie and I were cited and released for trial in federal court at a later date. Fr. Louie already has a court date on Sept 15, so it might be on that date in Santa Barbara. The base commander was not arrested or cited. We appeal to the court of public opinion to evaluate the actions of both parties.

The US is in serious financial difficulties and last night launch wasted millions of dollars. The money was wasted regardless of the success or failure of the test launch.

Minuteman III test launch set for early hours of July 27

2011-06-27T16:01:00.000-07:00

night launch

On July 27, in the early hours of the morning (usually the launch window begins at midnight to 7 am, or 3 am to 9 am) ideas/ comments/ statements?

We have statements from the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and from Japanese organizations about the June 22 launch. These would be essentially the same content as it is the same test.

The double standard of conduct about North Korea's few missile tests makes it key to publicizing these launches. Using the DPRK (North Korea) as a scare tactic is used to heavily militarize the non peaceful Pacific Ocean. The proposed Naval Base on Jeju Island, the Island of Peace, is one example of the use of the "boogeyman".

The WILPF disarm committee has agreed that protesting the July 27 hydrogen-bomb delivery system test (ICBM) should be part of August's Nuclear Free Future month.

http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbsked.htm

Fr Louie and Dennis Apel court date postponed until Sept 15th.

2011-06-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

Fr. Louie Vitale and Dennis Apel did appear in court in Santa Barbara 1415 State Street Due to a ruling by the 9th district federal appeals court for a different person we thought that the charges would be dropped. They were not dropped, the trial was continued until Sept 15.
We do not really know how this new ruling will play out in court.

There was an ICBM test launch on June 22. I have been in Korea on behalf of the Global Network, to give support to my friend and fellow GN board member Sung-Hee Choi. Sung-Hee has collected letters of support for Vandenberg protesters. See the Nuclear Resister article about Jeju Island for details, or go to www.space4peace.org.

Ruling against ban and bar polices by Ninth district court.

2011-05-31T18:04:00.000-07:00

Ninth Circuit that overturned citations for 18 USC 1382 (against a protesting defendant with a ban and bar) on Ocean Avenue at Vandenberg, finding that 18 USC 1382 cannot be applied where there is an easement and concurrent jurisdiction.

We assume this carries over onto Highway 1 and nullifies arrests there as well.

It is very likely that the charges against Fr. Louie Vitale, Fr Steve Kelly and Dennis Apel will be dropped. The peace train to provide court support has been cancelled.

Bud Boothe mistreated at Jan 5 vigil at Vandenberg

2011-01-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

I, ELDEN T. (BUD) BOOTHE, declare as follows:
I am over the age of 21 and a resident of Santa Barbara County, California. On January 5,
2011, at approximately 3:05 p.m., I parked my car in the parking lot at Vandenberg Middle
School and walked directly across the intersection into the joint-jurisdiction area that is
designated as the Free Speech zone for public protests or vigils. At no time did I leave the
designated Free Speech Zone on my own accord.
I was in the Free Speech Zone for approximately five (5) to ten (10) minutes before two
individuals dressed in civilian attire (one who was taking pictures) and I believe four (4)
uniformed personnel approached me inside the Zone. One of the civilians called me by name,
“Bud”, and said “I think you have a Ban-and-Bar and you are not suppose to be here. You have
two minutes to leave and you will be arrested..”
Almost exactly two minutes later, one or two uniformed personnel came up behind me
inside the Zone and told me to put my hands behind me. I then was placed in metal hand cuffs.
The uniformed personnel then walked me outside the Zone and escorted me toward the Visitor’s
Center while I was handcuffed. As I was being escorted toward the Visitor’s Center, I told the
escorts that the cuffs were too tight and they were hurting my wrists. No one did anything to
alleviate the tightness of the cuffs.
Once we reached the parking lot outside the Visitor’s Center, the escorts “sat” me down
on the curb. I again told the escorts that the cuffs were too tight. Nothing was done to alleviate
the pain caused by the cuffs. At one point in time a plain-clothed person interrogated me,
including asking me to identify my car. I did provide this information, namely that I drove a
2007 Toyota. Around that same time, I was frisked by uniformed personnel who removed
everything from my pockets, including my wallet. I do not recall if it was before or after I was
frisked that I was left seated on the curb for approximately fifteen to twenty minutes, during
which time my back began to hurt me. I informed the escorts that my back was hurting. The
escorts went into the Visitor’s Center and brought a chair outside for me to sit in. They still did
nothing to address the pain caused by the tight cuffs.
I was left sitting on the chair outside the Visitor’s Center for approximately 20 minutes
and then uniformed personnel escorted me to a sedan vehicle. The personnel were unable to get
me into the sedan due to the fact that my hands were cuffed behind my back and I was not able to
get into the sedan. I continued to complain that the cuffs were hurting me. Nothing was done
responsive to my complaints of pain.
When the uniformed personnel realized that I physically could not get into in the back of
the sedan vehicle with the handcuffs on, they took me over to a Suburban style vehicle. They
were able to assist me in getting seated in the back seat of the Suburban although the cuffs
continued to cause me excruciating pain about which I continued to complain. In fact, I was
actually screaming that the cuffs were hurting me. No one, including the plain clothed
photographer who also was in the Suburban style vehicle, acknowledged my expressions of pain.
To the best of my knowledge, no one even looked at how tight the cuffs were snapped onto my
wrists.
Although I originally was told that I was going to be released at Ryan Park, I actually was
driven to Vandenberg Village. As they took me out of the Suburban style vehicle, I said I am
starting to feel dizzy. At that point in time, the handcuffs were removed. My right wrist already
was black and blue. I do not know that the photographer ever took a picture of my bruised wrist.
The uniformed personnel leaned me up against the Suburban style vehicle and called medics. By
the time the medics arrived, I no longer felt dizzy. One medic took my blood pressure who then
commented that my blood pressure was low, adding that she was surprised that my pressure was
low in light of the recent course of events.
I was given the choice of either signing a release or being escorted to the local hospital. I
elected to sign the release. After I was released, Nancy Lynch, another individual who had
participated in the peaceful protest in the authorized Zone took photographs of my bruised wrist.
Others who had participated in the peaceful protest in the authorized Zone who observed that I
was handcuffed and escorted by military personnel BEFORE I stepped outside the Zone
included: Dennis Apel, Mary Becker and James Robertson.
Although I insisted that I could drive myself home, Ms. Lynch, Ms. Becker, Mr. Apel and
Mr. Robertson all insisted that they wanted to make sure I made it home safely. Mr. Robertson
rode in my car with me and Ms. Lynch, Ms. Becker and Mr. Apel followed. Once I was back in
Los Olivos, I thanked everyone for their concern for my safety and I drove back to my home
alone.
I declare under penalty of perjury pursuant to the laws of the State of California that the
foregoing is true and correct.
\ Executed this ___ day of January, 2011, at Los Olivos, California.
_________________________________
ELDEN T. BOOTHE
What does Vandenberg AFB do? See https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dfpxc5ff_690gdj4p6dd&interval=5

Fr. Louie and Sr Megan convicted for trespass at Vandenberg ICBM launch

2010-10-21T09:44:00.000-07:00

Minotaur IV Rocket goes up Sept 25, with Space Surveillance satellite.

2010-09-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=734121147
The Minotaur IV rocket and an new space surveillance satellite due to go up from Vandenberg today, Saturday Sept 25, 2010

http://spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/sbss/status.html

.
.

Space based surveillance logo

ICBM test hits near Guam

2010-09-21T08:32:00.000-07:00

Air Force test ICBM hits target SW of Guam by Michele Catahay 09/18/2010

Guam: An unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile blasted off on Friday in a
weapons test by the U.S. Air Force. According to media reports, the Minuteman 3
missile launched from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base and sent the test
vehicle into suborbital space going across the Pacific Ocean.

The test vehicle reportedly hit a pre-determined target about 200 miles
southwest of Guam. A team of analysts is studying the launch as part of an
ongoing evaluation of the readiness of the U.S. military's arsenal.

It includes experts from the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy.

Jorge Manly-Gil, charges dropped! Frist amendment rights still at risk.

2010-09-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

Jorge (on left) holding banner at Vandenberg

Federal charges against Jorge Manly-Gil dropped this morning, Tuesday Sept 14.

Jorge was ready to go to trial on Thursday Sept 16 to defend the first amendment right to peaceful protest.

Jorge was arrested at a legal planned peace protest at Vandenberg on the pretext of an arbitrary "ban and bar" orders issued by the base commander.

I see this is part of the pattern of intimidating protest activity and then not allowing judicial review by a civilian court.

When Dennis Apel and I (MacGregor Eddy) were convicted of being at a legal demonstration at Vandenberg our "ban and bar" was upheld by Judge Magistrate Rita Coyne-Federman becuase we had both been previously convicted of trespass.
Jorge has never been convicted of trespass or anything at Vandenberg
He had a good defense ready (despite the arbitrary denial of a public defender) and in my opinion the federal prosecuters might have lost the case. I have asked the Southern California ACLU to file a civil lawsuit against the base for intimidation of first ammendment protected activity.

Peter Eliasberg, Esq. is deciding at this time whether the So Ca ACLU will file the suit. Write to him at

ACLU of Southern California 1313 West Eighth St.

Los Angeles, CA 90017 to give your support.

7 Arrests at Vandenberg on Hiroshima/Nagasaki Day protest

2010-08-15T06:33:00.001-07:00

SEVEN ARRESTED ON AUGUST 7
At the annual Catholic Worker sponsored Hiroshima/Nagasaki commemoration vigil on Saturday, August 7, seven people were arrested: five for crossing the line, two for ban and bar violations.

The five that crossed the line to “pray for peace” included, Rev. Louie Vitale, OFM, Rev. Steve Kelly, SJ, and Jeff Dietrich, David Omondi, and Rebecca Casas of the Los Angeles Catholic Worker. The two arrested for a ban and bar violation included, Dennis Apel, of the Guadalupe Catholic Worker, and Mike Wisniewski, of the Los Angeles Catholic Worker. All were cited and released at Ryon Park in Lompoc, about ten miles from the base

article by James Robertson about Vandenberg and protest

2010-07-22T07:03:00.000-07:00

Vandenberg Air Force Base and Protest

Anti-war protests have been going on for decades at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, California. It is one of a number of places that attract protesters. Others in this area include Livermore labs managed by the University of California, and nuclear test site in Nevada.

The focuses of the protests are rather diverse. Even on a given date there may be signs against weapons in space, nuclear weapons, a particular war, drones, star wars, and the list goes on. There have been times when the emphasis was on civil disobedience, but most of the time and for most of the protesters it is just a lawful protest.

There have been various legal proceedings and some of these have changed the way the protests have been conducted. There was a time when protesters were not allowed on the base at all. Protesters would then meet at Vandenberg Village and march to the base along highway 1. The California highway patrol would then monitor the march. Once a patrol officer, who had been one of the monitors, celebrated his retirement by joining the march as a protester.

As a result of some of the court proceedings an area next to entrance of the base was designated as an area for protesters. This area is along state highway 1, is under joint jurisdiction by the base and the state. There were also areas for people to park their cars. The various areas are changed by the base from time to time. Occasionally there have been counter-protesters who would gather on an opposite corner. As far as I know the protests have always been peaceful, even when civil disobedience was planned.

Protesters who participated in civil disobedience, in addition to legal proceeding were subject to a “ban and bar” notice from the base. The base does not allow such people to come onto the base or to even to be in the protest area. Around the beginning of this year, the base started demanding that all protesters produce valid picture identification. The ACLU, at one time, passed out “rights” cards that stated that a law abiding citizen did not have to produce identification. (When one signs a drivers license, one is waiving this right when driving a car and stop by the highway patrol.) This led the protesters to believe that the demanding of identification was unconstitutional, and many of them have been refusing to show their identification. This has led to their detention and the issue of “ban and bar” even when they were not convicted of anything.

On July 15 three people, who had been issued “ban and bar” but attended protests anyway, were convicted of trespassing. A major point in the trial was if the protest area is a “public forum.” If it were a public forum, then the base would not be allowed to restrict who could be there. Judge-magistrate Rita Federman started the trial by ruling that the area was not a “public forum.” She reached her guilty verdict by deciding that the base commander was not “arbitrary or capricious.” The people convicted were MacGregor Eddy (2 counts), Denis Apel (3 counts), and Father Steve Kelly (1 count). Kelly’s only offense leading to a “ban and bar” was not showing his identification. The maximum penalty for each count was $5,000 fine and 6 months in prison. The sentences given were $125 (plus $35 in court fees) and no prison time for each count.

At this time it is not clear what the next step will be. The criminal case will be appealed on behalf of MacGregor Eddy. A possibility is to file a civil suit against the base for suppressing first amendment activities.

This would allow the protesters to subpoena information from the base.

James B. Robertson Santa Barbara ACLU and Death Penalty Focus.

Eddy, Apel and Kelly convicted for trespass at Vandenberg for legal protests.

2010-07-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

Two trials were held in federal court today in Santa Barbara CA. All resulted in convictions of trespass.
   The first trial was for co-defendants Dennis Apel and MacGregor Eddy. The pre trial motion, to establish that the designated protest area was a public forum, was denied to the defense. Judge Magistrate Federman rejected the arguments that free speech is protected in the area selected and defined by the Vandenberg.
Dennis Apel and MacGregor Eddy were convicted of violating a "ban and bar" order on 12/31 protest of a Star Wars "NMD" interceptor and of being present at a peace vigil on March 3rd.

   The judge-magsitrate imposed a sentence of a fine of $125 for each count, plus some court charges, for a total of $320 fine due from each defendant. No other sentence was imposed.

   In the afternoon there was a second trial with co-defendants Fr. Steve Kelly and Dennis Apel again and the result was two more convictions.

   There will be some follow up information soon about what is the next step.. This is the first time an arrest for violating a ban and bar, without leaving the designated protest area, has been prosecuted.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Remembrance August 7 at Vandenberg

2010-07-11T12:14:00.001-07:00

July 16 Trinity

2010-07-08T17:28:00.000-07:00

Note that July 16 is the anniversary of the Trinity first atomic Bomb explosion.

Photos from the June 5 Nuclear Weapons Abolition Day event

2010-06-28T17:35:00.000-07:00

http://napf.jalbum.net/Vandenberg-AFB-Protest/

Next ICBM launch set for June 30 from Vandenberg to Marshall Islands

2010-06-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

Next ICBM launch set for June date to be announced from Vandenberg to Marshall Islands. http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbsked.htm
no protest planned at this time that I know of.

June 16 at 3 am 2010 Global Strike launch from Vandenberg

2010-06-14T14:55:00.001-07:00

June 5th peace protests held at Vandenberg and El Segundo

2010-05-22T12:14:00.000-07:00

Protest held at Vandenberg Space Command and El Segundo Space and Missile Center June 5

Joining with others around the World peace activists gathered at two locations Saturday.

Trial of Eddy and Apel July 15 , Santa Barbara

2010-05-20T11:13:00.001-07:00

Today in federal court, 8 co-defendants were to be arraigned for arrests at Vandenberg Space Command.
Charges were dropped against all defendants except MacGregor Eddy and J Dennis Apel. We were honored to have Anne Montgomery of the plowshares actions with us.

MacGregor and Dennis will be tried on July 15 for violating the arbitrary "ban and bar" by the base commander.

All Vandenberg defendants May 20,

2010-04-15T15:14:00.000-07:00

Arraignment of 8 defendents will appear for arraignment on May 20 at 1415 State St Santa Barbara.

Starting 9 am, ususally goes slowly. You are invited to the Epsicopal Church at 1500 State St for a discussion afterwards from noon to 1 pm.

MacGregor Eddy and Bud Boothe will appear her attorney, Catherine Swysen for the citation made at the February vigil. Since then two identical charges have been filed but not put on the court docket, so the Judge-magistrate Federman agreed to hear them all on May 20. Dennis Apel and Jorge Manly were also continued until May 20. Mary Becker will also appear.

All of these arrests were in the designated protest area. Scott Fina has been ordered to appear along with Fr. Steve Kelly for the Jan 31 demonstration in the designated protest area. They will also be arraigned on May 20. see www.vandenbergwitness.org for a full history of Vandenberg actions.

So mark your calendars and come to court (1415 State Street Santa Barbara, not the historic courthouse)
to show support.