October 2001
CITIZENS FOR PEACE IN SPACE - NEWSLETTER
P.O. Box 915
Colorado Springs, CO 80901

We began this newsletter on September 10. The events of September 11 and their aftermath have caused a major rewrite. The initial reaction of the public to the acts of mass murder at the Pentagon and the World Trade Center has caused a shrinking of the space for political discussion and dissent. This has happened at a time when we need more discussion and dissent if we are to avoid the mistakes which helped to produce this violent interference with normal life in America.

The attitude behind U.S. Space Domination has been reinforced on a grand scale. There are cries for more money for the military, more secrecy, more spy satellites, more new weapons of all kinds. All this at a time when the International Day of Protest against U.S. domination of Space is right around the corner. We are going ahead with plans for the regional demonstration and protest at Buckley AFB in Aurora, Colorado on October 13.(See enclosed flyer) There will also be a vigil at Peterson AFB that day. Please be in touch to join the carpooling to Buckley or to take part to take part in the local vigil .

Some happenings since last March:

• In early April we had a protest presence on "military day" at the U.S. Space Foundation’s annual Symposium.
  

• In May Bill Sulzman and Loring Wirbel traveled to Leeds, England for the international meeting of the Global Network against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space. It was by far the largest gathering of the network so far. We heard from people all over the globe who do not like what the U.S. is doing in outer space. This opposition is not going to simply melt away because of the current crisis.
  

• Also in May many of us were able to attend the trial of Carl Kabat in Denver. He was prosecuted for his clown action on August 6, 2000 at nuclear missile silo N-7 in Weld County, Colorado Attorneys Walter Gerash and Sue Tyburski did a superb job of representing Carl even though they were severely limited by the judge’s ruling on international law as applied to nuclear weapons. Professor Francis Boyle an expert in international law from the university of Illinois gave compelling testimony but the jury was not allowed to hear it or make use of it in their deliberations. Carl was convicted and sent to prison until July 12. After he returned to Illinois he faced another charge of probation violation and on August 13 was sentenced to an additional year and a day. His address: Fr Carl Kabat, 03230-045, FCI Greenville, P.O. Box 5000, Greenville, Il 62246
  

• In July we presented an all day workshop for the disarmament task force of the War Resisters League, prior to their annual board meeting here July 13-15. We developed a new brochure for the occasion entitled WAR FROM SPACE, The Colorado Dimension. We have extra copies available at $3 each.
  

• On August 9 Donna Johnson, Peter Sprunger- Froese and Bill Sulzman were arrested at Peterson AFB as they tried to serve Space Command boss General Ralph (Ed) Eberhard with a Citizens’ arrest warrant for the many illegal activities of his command regarding the command and control of nuclear weapons and other activities which violate the Outer Space treaty and ABM treaty. The trail date is October 26, which is subject to change depending on Francis Boyle’s availability as a witness.

In closing we state the obvious. Our work has been made more difficult and more necessary since the events of September 11. Our country though it represents less than 5 % of the world’s population is renewing its claim as the sole super power in the world. In the short term there will be a reemphasis on military solutions as problems arise with the other 95% of the world’s peoples. The combination of more police power at home and more military muscle abroad will probably work for awhile longer. (Analysts have dubbed this strategy "lidism"i.e. simply keeping the lid on a boiling pot.) But in the long term we will need fundamental change in our society if we and the rest of the world are to survive this new century.

Sources of money for peace groups will be in short supply in the months ahead. By the time you get this, the bombing and shooting might be underway in Afghanistan. When that happens our operating room will be squeezed still further. Please be as generous as you can so we can continue to work together for peace in the world and in outer space.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST TO STOP THE MILITARIZATION OF SPACE
OCTOBER 13, 2001
 
NO THEATRE MISSILE DEFENSE!
NO NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE!
NO STAR WARS RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT!
KEEP SPACE FOR PEACE!
FUND HUMAN NEEDS!
NO WAR! NO WAR! NO WAR! NO WAR!

Saturday, October 13 is the International Day of Protest to Stop the Militarization of Space.  Come promote peace and the sacredness of life at one of Colorado's corporate and military centers for space militarism--Lockheed Martin, TRW, Raytheon and Buckley Air Force Base.

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.  Gather at the Aurora Community College Parking Lot on Centertech Parkway, south of 6th Avenue and west of Airport Road.  We will start with music, speakers and a play; the speakers will include Ron Forthofer and Bill Sulzman. The Nuclear Madness Demystified Players are preparing a play based on Dr. Seuss's "The Butter Battle Book".

Ellen Klaver will perform, as well as Leona Dunlap, with a lovely Brazilian chant and drumming.  As more details evolve, I will send the information.

Then we will all march to each of the military contractors mentioned and walk along Airport Road and the western side of Buckley Air Force Base. Join with others at 96 sites in 17 countries on this day of international action.  Bring banners, signs, your passion and compassion!

This event is being planned by Citizens for Peace in Space 719 389 0644,  Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, 303-444-6981, CO Coalition for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Sisters of Loretto and AFSC, 303-623-3464.

Others are more than welcome to join in the planning; just call to help or
for more information.

Bill Sulzman
Director
P.O. Box 915
Colorado Springs, CO 80901
Ph 719 389 0644