Nukewatch – 2004-03-27 18:17:10

http://www.nukewatch.com

MADISON — Eight anti-nuclear activists who have refused to pay court-ordered fines for trespassing convictions at the Navy’s ELF submarine transmitter have been ordered to appear for re-sentencing.

The hearing will be Monday, March 29, 1:00 p.m., in US District Court, Madison, 120 N Henry St., U.S. Magistrate Stephen L. Crocker presiding.

The eight activists face a possible maximum of 6 months in jail, but Magistrate Crocker has indicated previously that he will impose a 30-day sentence for non-payment.

The group includes Kathy Kelly, twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and a co-founder of Voices in the Wilderness, the Chicago-based peace group.

The eight were all earlier sentenced to a $150 fine after being convicted of trespassing during protests against the controversial Navy submarine transmitter system located near Clam Lake, Wisconsin.

The antenna sends secret messages to submerged nuclear-armed and fast attack submarines.

In his March 5, 2004 order to the eight activists, Magistrate Crocker wrote, “In the event the court decides to resentence the defendant(s) to a jail term, defendant should be prepared to be taken immediately into custody to serve the term.”

Since 2001, when ELF protest charges went federal, 44 anti-nuclear activists have been cited for trespass during protests at the nuclear war “trigger.” Crocker has jailed four for nonpayment of fines, two for 60 days, two for 30.

Those ordered to appear March 29 are:

• Gail Vaughn, Ferryville, Wisc.
• Kathy Kelly, Chicago, Illinois
• Rev. Jerry Zawada, Burlington, WI.
• Greg Boertje, Duluth, Minn.
• Mark Engebretson, Duluth, Minn.
• Anthony O‚Leary, Duluth, Minn.Scott
• Mathern-Jacobson, Duluth
• Michael Walli, Duluth, Minn. (Walli is currently serving a 3-month federal prison term for a nonviolent protest at the Army School of the Americas.)

Nukewatch, PO Box 649, Luck, Wisc. 54853. Phone: 715-472-4185. Fax: 715-472-4184. www.nukewatch.com