Peace Briefs

Disarm Now Plowshares – Sr. Anne Montgomery (CPTer from 1996-2009) was among 5 peace activists found guilty of felony charges stemming from their witness against nuclear-armed Trident submarines at the Kitsap-Bangor Naval Base outside Bremerton, Washington the night of the Feast of All Souls, November 2, 2009.  The five cut through three chain link fences, put up banners which said “Disarm Now Plowshares: Trident Illegal and Immoral,” scattered sunflower seeds, and prayed until they were arrested at dawn.  Officers cuffed and hooded them because, according to the marine in charge, “when we secure prisoners anywhere in Iraq or Afghanistan we hood them…so we did it to them.”  They face a possible 10-year prison term.  Sentencing is scheduled for 28 March 2011.  More info at:www.disarmnowplowshares.wordpress.com

Philippines Peace Concerts – CPT supporters in the Philippines, organized by Reservist Rey Lopez, hosted a series of peace concerts featuring CPT Steering Committee member and internationally acclaimed baritone, Tony Brown.  According to Lopez, the concerts “planted the seeds of peacemaking and healing in the hearts of Filipinos sufferings from decades of armed conflict and injustices.”  See Brown’s web site for more about his music ministry and to book a peace concert in your area.www.anthonybrownbaritone.net

Boycott Israeli Goods – the Olympia (Washington) Food Co-op became the first U.S. grocery store to publicly join the international grassroots Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel for its human rights abuses.  Rachel Corrie, a peace worker with the International Solidarity Movement killed in 2003 while trying to stop an Israeli bulldozer from demolishing a Palestinian home, was a member of the Olympia Food Co-op.  www.bdsmovement.net