Nonviolent Resistance in the U.S. to the War Machine

by Jerry - Omaha (USA) CW Sun Dec 16, 2007 06:01

Omaha, Nebraska, USA – Today, Friday, December 14, 2007, two of three Catholic War Resisters went to trial at Douglas County Court this morning as a result of their Peaceful Protest at the Qwest Center
during the Space Weapons Conference sponsored by StratCom and Offutt Air Force Base. Judge Thomas McQuade listened to both sides about what happened. Jerry Ebner informed the judge that the defendants had pictures and a twenty-minute video for him to see. The judge looked at the pictures, but not the video. The video is at
www.archive.org/details/CatholicWorkerDieCDinfrontofQwestCre101007 . Evidence was shown in pictures by the defendants that no door was obstructed.

On October 10, at 6:26 minutes into the video above, Rebecca Kleeman, Public Relations Manager for Qwest Center Omaha, told the defendants,
". . . Our problem here is that you're impeding the entrance to the
door, so I need to ask you to leave." In fact, at 6:00 minutes into
the video it shows people, including Ms. Kleeman, leaving the Qwest
Center through doors right next to the protesters
.

The judge said, 'The charge was for failing to leave, not for blocking
a doorway." The defendants do not believe that what they have done in a Prayerful and Prophetic spirit of Christian nonviolence was a crime. Father Jack McCaslin and Jerry Ebner were both found guilty. Judge Thomas McQuade gave each of them a $75 fine plus court costs for a total of $119, to be paid within 30-days.

Jerry Ebner requested of the judge an alternative to the fine. He
mentioned his financial situation to the judge - that he helps
maintain the Omaha Catholic Worker (OCW) Hospitality House for
homeless men, where they care for five homeless men. It is a matter of conscience that he refuses to pay the fine, and seek an alternative, because all contributions to support the OCW House are used exclusively to support the poor, not the criminal justice system.
Jerry Ebner was then given three options by Judge McQuade - pay the fine, (2) two days in jail or (3) Community Service. Jerry Ebner
thanked the judge for the options and chose option #2 as an
"acceptable and honorable choice" and thanked him for it. This will be served by January 14, 2008.

There is one more Catholic War Resistor to be tried for the same
violation. She was given a later court date at her attorney's request.
Peg Gallagher, age 89, is going to court on Friday, December 28, 2007 in Douglas County Courtroom #27 at 9 a.m. at 17th and Farnam Street, Omaha, NE. December 28 is also the Catholic Feast Day of the Holy Innocents Massacre.

by Joe Thu Dec 13, 2007 21:34

According to figures released Tuesday in the American Jewish Committee 2007 Annual Survey of American Jewish Opinion, the war in Iraq is not a pressing problem. The survey illustrated continued opposition to the war in Iraq by U.S. Jews. The support also showed support for Israel, support for an attack on Iran and synagogue attendance have all decreased.