Friday, February 20, 1981
Cabrini College, Radnor, PA 19087
Vol. XXVII, No. 8
Plowshares 8 go on trial Monday BY TAMRA DiMARINO
The long awaited trial of antiwar activists Dan and Phil Berrigan and six others of the Plowshares Eight group, is scheduled to take place on Monday, Feb. 23 in Norristown. Last Sept. 9, the eight defendants entered the General Eelecric Re-Entry Division Plant in King of Prussia. They were arrested after they damaged -two Mark 12A warhead cones and poured blood on blueprints and tools. The defendants, who call themselves the Plowshares Eight, include: a nun, a seminary graduate, a mother of six, a professor, a lawyer and three priests, two of them the Berrigan brothers, peace activists whose names have been familiar since the 1960's. Daniel Berrigan is 59 and Phil is 57. Other Plowshares Eight members John Schuchardt, 37, of Baltimore ; the Rev. Carl Kabat, 49, and Elmer Maas, both from New York, are the defendants who, with Phil Berrigan, were ordered from Montgomery County Prison on Jan. 27. Several weeks ago, Dan Berrigan, Sr. Anne Montgomery, Molly Rush, of Pittsburgh; and Dean l{ammer, of New Haven, Conn., were released from jail. When commenting on the antiwar act of last Sept. 9, the Berrigan brothers saw nothing "ludicrous about flailing away at the war machine with their ham-
mers," according to The New York Times. Philip, who wanted ''to be modest about the results," said that "we believe we shortened the war in Vietnam." Referring to the damaged warheads, he then went on to say that "this was the first disarmament in the last 35 years." The Plowshares Eight group stated that "they represent resistance communities along the East Coast : each of us has a long history of nonviolent resistance to war." For their trial, the Plowshares Eight, according to the Friends of Peace Committee, "are basing their legal defense on the Geneva and Hague Conventions, the U.N. Charter, the' Nuremberg Principles, the U.S. Army Field Manual, and the Law of Naval Warfare." "These," said the Peace Committee, "prohibit poisonous, inhumane weapons which cause unnecessary suffering and indiscrimate destruction of innocent peoples, food supplies, hospitals, and schools." In their statement (concerning the Sept. 9 incident) issued upon arrest, the Plowshares Eight stated that "in confronting G.E ., we choose to obey God's law of life, rather than a corporate summons of death." ''Our beating of swords into · plowshares," they continued, "today is a way to enflesh this biblical c'all." Recently, on Jan. 27, Berrigan
and three other persons in the Plowshares Eight group were ordered out of prison by Montgomery County Judge Vincent A. Cirillo. Cirillo said that friends of Berrigan and the other three released had publicly made unjust accusations about him. Cirillo stated, "they are saying out-and-out lies. They are trying to get me disqualified from hearing the case." On the same day (Jan. 27), Plowshares Eight supporters demonstrated in front of the Montgomery County Courthouse. They handed out pamphlets which accused Cirillo of trying to force the Plowshares Eight to plead guilty, by impending to give them long prison terms. Cirillo had briefly spoken with the defendants' lawyer and had been warned that if the eight were pronounced guilty, they would be "looking at good sentences." Cirillo stated that if the eight defendants did what they say they did, then that would be burglary. He believes that "if you're guilty of violating civil Jaw, then you're culpable for the deeds, even if you're called upon by a superior being." The defendants have said that prophets "summon" them "to beat the swords into plowshares," and that God called upon them to protect nuclear weapons and to break
into the General Electric plant last Sept. 9. When Cirillo issued his order, it permitted the four to leave the Montgomery County Prison- without posting bail money or leaving their signatures. A few days before the defendants were ordered out of prison, the judge had reduced their bail from $125,000to $20,000.Under this new arrangement, the four would not have to post money, but would be released by their signatures on a bond. By signing the bond, they would guarantee that they would show up for their trials. . The defendants refused signing, feeling that the other inmates in the prison should be given the same offer. Bruce Eckel, county assistant District Attorney, suggested that the defendants be released on their own recognizance (ROR), according to Cirillo. Members of the Plowshares Eight Support Committee said that the eight were prevented from meeting "with their attorneys at a conference room at the Montgomery County Prison on Monday, Jan. 26." They believe that this occurred "as a result of the refusal of the four prisoners to accept the $20,000 ROR ordered by Judge Cirillo." The Support Committee stated that "this retaliatory behavior is consistent with the pattern of in-
justice i.n the Montgomery County Criminal Justice System." Cirillo said that the allegation concerning the meeting was "a boldfaced lie." · The Support Committee believes that the eight defendants have experienced "many injustices" in Montgomery County. These include "excessive bail, multiple charges, false charges, transfer of women to five prisons in eleven weeks, and delay of 'habeas corpus.' " . They feel that "these events," including "threats expressed by Judge Cirillo, are similar to treatment accorded others who face charges in Montgomery County." The Support Committee has stated that the defendants have been permitted to meet only three times since their arrest on Sept. 9 and will not be able to meet again before their trial. They believe that this is an overt violation of ci vii rights. The four defendants who refused ROR had been willing to meet unconditionally, and wouldn't sign current bail for two reasons, according to the Support Committee. Besides feeling that the other inmates should be given the same offer, they also stated that "rather than the eight defendants, General Electric should be under investigation and indictment for building genocidal weapons."
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Dan Berrigan: "an inspired speaker"
Margaret Reher, professor of ing arms race. Very few people religion, told Loquitur of her affect anyone so profoundly, but aquaintance with noted activist he is an inspired speaker and one of those people whose prose is poeDan Berrigan. "I first came in contact with try." Dan in 1965.He was addressing the "During the summer of 1976 I College Theology Society, of which was teaching a course in Prison I was a member and for which I Spirituality here at Cabrini. One of currently serve as chairperson, at the books we were using contained Rosemont College.'' selections from Berrigan's 'No "After Dan began his talk he de- Bars to Manhood' I wrote to him parted from the theme of the pro- and asked if he'd be willing to adgram and spoke very eloquently dress the class. Dan responded about the impending dangers of very willingly to students' quesnuclear power. Can you imagine, tions and spent a good deal of time this was 1965? He was really the with us." DANIEL BERRIGAN with Dr. Margaret Reher when he was a guest first person who ever made me "We maintained a corresoonthink seriously about the war in lecturer at one of her classes. Vietnam and the already escalat- dance and he visited us again in the
spring of 1978and the spring of 1979 to address my Prison Spirituality classes. Dan never began by addressing the audience with his current interests and projects. He would only speak about it when asked by a member of the audience." "The thing that I think gives him strength is his very basic commitment to the Scriptures. I admire anyone who is willing to suffer for a commitment and he has suffered a great deal. For 15 years he has stood, unwavering, by these causes. I think that these are serious matters and something we should certainly consider. I would like him to come again."
Threats to peace and national security demand attention BYDENISEJ.
TERIFAY
With so many threats to world peace and national security, it is · important to take a look at the issues faci-ng America today. Iranian militants were able to hold 52 Americans hostage for 14 months . After their release on January 20, the country experienced a serge of nationalism. From coast to coast Americans were uniting to show support for their country. Amidst all the celebratiion, there was the question, "What if it should happen again?" At the
ceremony for the released· dip: lomats, Pr:esident Reagan echoed the feelings of many Americans when he warned that terrorists in the future would receive "swift and effective retribution." Retribution is exactly what is facing anti-war activists Dan and Phil Berrigan and six others who call themselves the "Plowshares 8." Last Sept. 9 these eight people · broke into the General Electric Re-Entry Division Plant in King of Prussia, damaged two Mark 12A warhead cones and poured blood on blueprints and tools. While they
were protesting against something they believe is detrimental, the stability of a society that allows such subversive acts is questionable. Another area of consideration is the crisis in Poland which may be headed for a showdown. Polish government officials now threaten to take "necessary steps" to quell the Wlrest. There is a fear of the Joss of Communist control which could bring about Soviet intervention. · Reagan, in his first presidential news conference on January 29,
charged that the Soviets "reserve Wlto themselves the right to commit any crime, to lie, to cheat" in order to promote "world revolution and a one-world. . . Communist state." It is unclear what position the U.S. would take if the Soviets intervened in Poland but Reagan's administration had definitely taken a hard line toward Moscow. Finally, while there is no reason to worry ·yet, Islamic leaders at their just-ended summit in Saudi Arabia called for a holy war on Israel. It is presently U.S. policy
that she will defend Israel in a war if Israel's existence is threatened. The Mecca Declaration does not signal armed struggle-at least not yet. Whenever there is internal conflict in the Moslem world, it usually produces a show of unity against Israel. Such threats are all too familiar. Although there doesn't seem to be an immediate danger of armed conflict, it should be noted that the U.S. policy is such that we could be forced to take a stand on any of these issues.
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