Contact in Tucson:
Felice or Jack Cohen-Joppa: (520)323-8697
Nancy Gallen: (520)829-7107

SIX ARRESTED FOR BLOCKADING ROAD TO
RAYTHEON MISSILE FACTORY

On the afternoon of March 20, six peace activists blockaded the road leading to Tucson's Raytheon Missile Systems plant, intending to halt any shipment of bombs and missiles from the plant.

The six stretched yellow "Caution" tape across the road between two orange and white striped barricades which they had placed on either side of the lanes of traffic, near one of the plant's main gates. Two of the blockaders stood in the middle of the road, holding a long banner which read "Stop the Killing", while the other four sat on the pavement in front of the banner, holding signs which said "Road Closed to War-Making".

Forty supporters held other signs and banners by the side of the road while the three men and three women were arrested and taken to waiting sheriff's vehicles. They were released nearby about an hour later after being charged with unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct, obstructing a highway, being a public nuisance and being a pedestrian on a roadway. Each were given different dates in mid-April to appear in court.
Arrested were: Gretchen Nielson, age 73, Bill Moeller, age 52, Pat Birnie, age 76, Scott Kerr, age 30, Jack McPherson, age 61 and Nancy Gallen, age 69. (See their statements, next page.) Kerr is a member of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) who was in Baghdad three years ago to witness the "Shock and Awe" aerial bombardment and beginning of the U.S. occupation.

This act of nonviolent civil disobedience is one of over a dozen occuring nationwide this week, among hundreds of legal protests that began Saturday to mark the third anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

The Tucson demonstration comes on the heels of nearly $1 billion in new contracts awarded to Raytheon/Tucson over the past six months, and a growing awareness that as the war grinds on, the bombardment of Iraq with Raytheon/Tucson's products continues and is on the rise.

- 30 -

Statements from the Six People Arrested March 20, 2006,
Citizens Weapons Blockade of Raytheon Missile Systems

I participated in nonviolent direct action at Raytheon because for 6 years now I have worked in conflict zones where weapons are used against civilians in the interests of the rich and powerful. I have stood with Iraqis when Tomahawk cruise missiles rained down from overhead - terrorizing millions, killing thousands. On the third anniversary of the Iraq war, I can find no better place to honor my friend and colleague Tom Fox, then to try to prevent these weapons from reaching their intended destination. As we continue to pray for the release of Jim, Harmeet and Norman, I hope to do everything that I can do to stop this illegal occupation and bring the military industrial complex that profits from this war to an end.
Scott Kerr, 30. After graduating from Anderson University in 1999, Kerr began work with Christian Peacemaker Teams. He has served with CPT in Chiapas, Mexico and in Colombia, accompanying families displaced by military operations and repression as they reclaimed their homes. Kerr was deported from Colombia after more than one year of this service. Kerr joined CPT and the Iraq Peace Teams in Baghdad to act as a peaceful witness during the initial bombing and subsequent occupation.

It's strange to me that we can distinguish degrees of terrorism. What's the difference between a suicide bomber killing American civilians and these Raytheon-built missiles killing Iraqi civilians? I feel morally compelled to block the delivery of these weapons of terrorism.

Bill Moeller, 52
Carpenter , former Green Party candidate

I will continue to protest until the terroristic Bush administration is removed from office and our country is returned to the people.

Gretchen Nielsen, 73
Writer and poet

I am here today because I feel a civic and moral responsibility to speak out against the corporate war machine so vividly represented by Raytheon. Their continuing development and manufacture of indiscriminate weapons of death and destruction can only lead us closer to an end for mankind.

Jack McPherson, 61

If we are a civilized society, why do we keep escalating ways of killing people? Let's celebrate the power of empathy and practice it. Stop the killing. Stop the unethical, arrogant drive for power-over, and learn the joys of cooperation and sharing. Let's convert Raytheon to a life-supporting business and welcome the diversity of people worldwide.

Pat Birnie, 76
Disarmament Committee, Women's International League for Peace & Freedom

We live in an empire where the warmongers grind out weapons of destruction meant to threaten, coerce and obliterate any opposition. Raytheon serves their masters in this effort. We are here today to say no to weapons and no to murder. We say yes to the sacredness of life where peace and justice reign

Nancy Gallen, 69
Retired teacher

Coverage by the Arizona Daily Star on Tuesday, March 21, 2006