CADU - DU Prisoners

DU Prisoners

If you are a keen letter writer, but are feeling frustrated by the lack of positive response from the MoD or your MP, why not write to an activist in prison instead. Not only will you know your letter is greatly valued (even if you don't have a response), but supporting prisoners like this is one of the most crucial tasks if we are to keep our movement sustained in the long term.
The following four peace activists from the US are currently in jail for their anti -DU actions in December last year. Calling themselves the "Plowshares vs. Depleted Uranium", the four Catholic pacifists cut their way into the Warfield Air National Guard base in Maryland, and poured blood and hammered on two A-10 Warthog planes used to fire DU. The action was to protest against the United States' use of depleted uranium in recent wars against Iraq and Yugoslavia.
They were not permitted by the court to use arguments of international law or necessity, and their various expert witnesses were prevented from giving testimony. In a protest against what amounted to a legal gagging order, the four at one point turned their backs on the bench. Supporters in the public gallery became co-conspirators, when one of the defendants refused to say who drove the van which carried the protesters to t he base. A woman shouted out "I drove the van", and within minutes 100 others had joined in the cry.
The defendants were found guilty and given sentences ranging from 9 months to 30 months. Please write to them at the addresses below.

Susan Crane, #916-999, Correctional Institute for Women, PO Box 535, Jessup, MD 20794, United States

Liz Walz, #995-376, 200 Court House Court, Towson, MD 21204, United States

Philip Berrigan #292-139 and Rev. Steve Kelly #292-140 at the Roxbury Correctional Institute, 18701 Roxbury Rd, Hagerstown, MD 21746

Page last updated: 6th December 2002