February 2014

Projects and Campaigns

Wheatland Five

Anti-Drone Trial of the "Wheatland 4" (formerly the Wheatland 5)  

February 3, 2014, 8:00 a.m. Rally, 9 a.m. Trial

Sacramento Federal Court, 5th and I Streets, Sacramento

This was the second trial of anti-drone protestors at Beale Air Force Base.  Support at the rally and in the courtroom made clear that there is public concern about U.S. drone warfare policy. Veteran Barry Binks was released. The other four, Toby Blome, Robin Ryan, Martha Huber, and Bill Daub, were found "guilty," sentenced to 10 hours of community service, and issued "ban and bar" letters to prevent them from crossing onto base property in the future.  Beale is home of Global Hawk Drones, surveillance drones that assist in finding targets for drones that carry weapons to targets half a world away.

At the trial, it was interesting to hear the prosecutor question a Beale officer about the unique importance of Beale in the overall military structure.  The officer said (paraphrased):  "Beale has a unique role in the overall mission of the US military, and has for over 60 years, because both U2s and Global Hawk Drones (sited at Beale) participate in surveillance that supports military activities around the world."  So Beale has a larger role than simply finding targets for drones. 

A third trial of Beale anti-drone protesters is in process, and demonstrations continue. On March 5, Ash Wednesday, there will be an anti-drone "service of repentance" with nonviolent direct action at Beale.  (see below) 

To find out about the monthly anti-drone vigils at Beale, go to Occupy Beale AFB.   At the next demonstration on February 24-25, Colonel Ann Wright, a dedicated peace activist, will join us. 

Go to the Occupy Beale FaceBook Page to keep abreast of actions and issues related to Beale.  

Grass Valley Demonstration Opposing the Keystone XL Pipeline

Monday, February 3 at 5 p.m

Brunswick and Sutton Way intersection 

On Monday evening, February 3, 80 protestors gathered on short notice in Grass Valley, along with over 10,000 others in hundreds of other cities across the nation, calling on President Obama to reject the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline.  This demonstration is a response to the release of the State Department’s Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, which downplays the environmental harm of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry bitumin tar from vast strip mines in Canada across our nation to be exported at the Gulf of Mexico. Grass Valley demonstrators gathered with signs, spoken words, and songs, The drivers of many passing cars honked and waved approval of the demonstration.

The local demonstration was organized by members of the Direct Action focus group of the Nevada County Climate Change Coalition.  Similar demonstrations were be held in towns and cities around the country.  This event is part of a national campaign led by CREDO, Rainforest Action Network, the Sierra Club and 350.org, among a host of other organizations, calling on the president to keep his commitment to reduce carbon pollution and reject the pipeline.   Many of our members have signed the Keystone XL "Pledge of Resistance," committing themselves to taking nonviolent direct action if the pipeline is approved.  Sign the pledge here.

"Legalize Democracy:  We the People Overturning Corporate Rule"

Educational Program with Sharon Delgado, Charly Price, and Lorraine Reich

Sunday, February 9, 2 to 4 p.m., Banner Grange, 12629 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley. 

This program will focus on Corporate Domination of the Political Process, including:

• Concrete examples of corporate power creating harm in local communities;
• The story of the infamous Supreme Court decision of 2010:  Citizens United vs. the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), and its effects on the electoral process; 
• The background and likely outcome of the pending Supreme Court decision, McCutcheon vs. the FEC, which has been called "Citizens United 2," and Move to Amend's project to "Resist McCutcheon";
• An overview of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a comprehensive free-trade agreement currently being negotiated secretly and pushed toward "fast track" approval by Congress.
• The We the People Amendment as proposed by the national Move to Amend coalition and introduced into Congress, which institutes a limit on corporate power by making clear that  corporations are not persons and money is not speech.
• Opportunities for action.

The program will include a showing of Move to Amend's new film, "Legalize Democracy," followed by discussion.  It will include songs.  Coffee and refreshments will be available at this free event.  For more information visit Nevada County Move to Amend's website or FaceBook page, or visit the national Move to Amend website.  

Nevada County Climate Change Coalition General Meeting

February 18, 2014, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains

246 S. Church Street, Grass Valley

Earth Justice Ministries, Alliance for a Post-Petroleum Economy, the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains, are among the local groups organizing the Nevada County Climate Change Coalition. All are welcome to attend any focus group or the general monthly meeting of the Nevada County Climate Change Coalition. Meet before the meeting at 5:15 at Flour Garden Bakery on Neal Street if you want to participate in a training/review/meeting for facilitators.

NC-CCC has formed several small groups to focus on different aspects of the work to prevent runaway climate change and ensuring a livable future. These groups will focus on: lobbying, education, nonviolent direct action, resiliency and local self-reliance, interfaith cooperation on issues related to climate change, radical art, communication, working with 350.org, etc.

Nevada County Citizens Climate Lobby Monthly Meeting

The lobbying group of the Nevada County Climate Change Coalition had a "Group Start" kickoff meeting on December 14, which resulted in the formation of a local chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby.  Regular meetings at the same time and place on the 4th Tuesday of every month.  "Like" the Nevada County Citizens Climate Lobby FaceBook page to stay updated.  Find out more about the national group at the Citizens Climate Lobby website.  

Coming Ash Wednesday, March 5

Anti-Drone Service of Repentance, with Direct Action

at the Main Gate of Beale Air Force Base

6:30 a.m.

Early in the morning on March 5, there will be an Ash Wednesday service of repentance at the main gate of Beale.  All are welcome to join us for participating in or supporting this action, which will incorporate Christian symbolism and the theme of repentance.  In addition to focusing on repentance for the harm caused to drone victims, we will issue a call to repentance for the harm done to the Indigenous people who used to live where Beale is now, the harm being done to Mother Earth by our building and deploying high-tech weapons and weapons of mass destruction, the ongoing harm done to families and communities who suffer cutbacks in public services while we spend billions for the military, the overall harm of US projection of military power. 

This service will involve readings, songs, prayers, scripture, Holy Communion, the use of ashes in some way that symbolizes repentance and acknowledgement of our mortality, and white crosses that each have a photo of a panel from the beautiful quilt of children that have been killed by drones.   At the end of this service, several people will cross the demarcation line onto Beale property and stand or kneel in prayer, which will probably culminate in arrest.  We still need people who are willing to stand in support and/or join in the civil disobedience action.  If you need lodging near Beale, let us know.  Sacramento is not far from Beale, but we have places where people could stay here in Marysville (just 20 minutes from Beale), or Grass Valley or Nevada City (about 40 minutes from Beale) if you live farther away.  Contact us at ashwednesdayaction@earth-justice.org. 

Sharon's blog postings about why it's important to take action against drones, ongoing actions and trials are available here.  

Free Video on Youtube

"The Role of Nonviolent Direct Action in Christian Peacemaking."

If you want to be inspired, here is a video uploaded from Sharon Delgado's January 29th  presentation at Parkside Community Church in Sacramento, titled "The Role of Nonviolent Direct Action in Christian Peacemaking." In this video, Rev. Delgado shares some of the experiences and insights that have shaped her 35-year peacemaking journey, including the recently-concluded trial in which she was found guilty of trespassing onto Beale Air Force Base during a nonviolent protest against drone warfare.  She also shows how Jesus' life, teachings, actions, death, and resurrection can inspire us to follow him directly into the heart of the struggle for a transformed world.   

"Climate Change:  What do we know?  What can we do?"

Free Downloadable MP3 or Educational CD by Sharon Delgado

Recorded by Sun Sound Studios, Grass Valley, California.

In this educational CD, Sharon Delgado explains in simple terms what scientists are telling us about climate change, explores the scientific consensus and controversy, and suggest effective ways to respond to the challenges of climate change in personal, communal, and systemic ways.  Topics include:  the greenhouse effect, the link between rising levels of atmospheric CO2 and global warming, extreme weather as a feature of our changing climate, scientific agreement and debate, the effects of industry lobbyists on climate policy, reducing fossil fuel emissions and stabilizing the climate, and changing the system that produces climate change.  Download the MP3 version here or order a CD here.