CPTnet
8 August 2007
EDINA, MN: Eight Arrested for delivering roses to Alliant Tech headquarters
on Hiroshima Day

On Monday, 6 August, approximately forty people gathered at the headquarters
of Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (ATK) in Edina, MN to prayerfully commemorate
all who died in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 62 years ago. They
also offered prayers for those who have suffered the effects of Depleted
Uranium (DU) poisoning in recent years.

ATK is the world's largest producer of DU weapons. The United States has
used DU weapons in former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Health effects
linked to DU's radioactive particles include increased instances of cancers,
leukemia, birth defects, miscarriages, and infant mortality among civilians
and soldiers alike. In addition, ATK produces motors for launching nuclear
missiles.

Vigil participants representing Christian Peacemaker Teams, Alliant Action,
and other Minnesota peace groups, dressed in black and carried white roses
to represent healing and remembrance for those who have suffered from
nuclear weapons and DU. Instead of missiles and bombs raining down
destruction and horror, participants prayed a day that would see the raining
down of love on all God's people.

CPT training participant, Jean Fallon, a Maryknoll Sister who lived in Japan
for 50 years, spoke of the horror of the atomic bomb on the people who
survived the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings: "There was residual radiation
after the bomb exploded and it was very potent. First the people would get
leukemia and thyroid cancer, and other cancers would follow. Depleted
Uranium works in the same way. Particles are taken in by the body and they
go off at different times. Many of the children get leukemia right away.
They have the same kind of birth defect--bone cancer."

Holding signs that said "Hiroshima: Never Again," vigilers passed white
roses to others bearing signs representing victims of DU -- Iraqi civilians,
Soldiers, Children, Afghanistan, etc. As the crowd sang out the words,
"None can stop the Spirit, burning now inside us. We will shape the future.
We will not be silent," eight participants carried their white roses towards
the front door of ATK, hoping to deliver their message of peace to
executives inside. When stopped by several ATK employees and Edina police,
the eight attempted to engage in dialogue and negotiate entrance to the
building. Police warned the group to leave or they would be arrested. The
eight then knelt down in prayer. Each person received a citation for
trespassing that carries a $142 fine.

Arrested were Tarek Abuata (Bethesda, MD), Sally Ann Brickner (Green Bay,
WI), Kryss Chupp (Chicago, IL), Steve Clemens (Minneapolis, MN), Delycia
Fuestel (Lebanon, NH), Cliff Kindy (N. Manchester, IN), Martin Smedjeback
(Sundbyberg, Sweden), and Colin Stuart (Ottawa, ON).

People wishing to view photos of the witness in Edina will find them at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joshhough/1035814629
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joshhough/1036618260
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joshhough/1035824633