Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006, Port Townsend, Washington
37 people were arrested at Indian Island, a naval base near Port Townsend, Washington. The protest was one of many carried out across the country as part of a national "Declaration of Peace" campaign, which calls for a comprehensive plan for withdrawal from Iraq and opposition to future invasions of other countries. The arrests were witnessed by over 350 supporters who participated in a 4 mile peace march to the navy base, which is the main weapons shipping depot on the west coast.
The day began at 7 am, as members of Veterans for Peace began setting up "Arlington West", a memorial to the nearly 3,000 service people who have died in Iraq. As people began to arrive at HJ Carroll Park, they were met by the sight of rows and rows of crosses and grave markers with the names of those who have died in the war and occupation. It was a heartbreaking and sobering sight, which set a thoughtful tone for the day. While those gathered smiled and listened to music, they were reminded of the loss of so many fine people, and the death of thousands of innocent Iraqis.
Over 22 organizations shared information at the peace and justice festival, while local musicians Raven and Hawk, along with the Raging Grannies, sang songs of protest. Those interested in being arrested in a nonviolent direct action at the military base gathered with supporters to discuss nonviolence, legal issues, and to plan their action. People had come from across Washington State, and many had never met before. Press reporters recorded video and took pictures of the discussion. Liz Rivera Goldstein spoke of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., and their writing that teaches that we are not in a battle with law enforcement, or even military service people. She said their presence at the navy facility is meant to shine a light on the immorality and illegality of the Iraq war, and to increases awareness of the environmental destruction and danger posed by the base to Jefferson County and the entire Puget Sound. “We know we won't end the war this weekend, but we will send a message to our elected officials that we want to war to end, and I think our actions will encourage more people to speak out against war.” said Rivera Goldstein.
After reciting a pledge from the national Declaration of Peace to follow guidelines to remain nonviolent, the four-mile march to Indian Island began. Children, dogs, seniors with walkers, students and those who had marched in protests during the Viet Nam war marched under warm skies, assisted by peace keepers and a sheriff who made sure crossing roads was done safely.
After over an hour of walking, the marchers reached the bridge to Indian Island. The sheriff's department stopped all car traffic, and the marchers crossed the bridge. The bridge was filled rail to rail with people, and the front line was young people and students- including a young boy around 8 years old, joined with teens and others near twenty, carrying a huge sign that read, "End the occupation of Iraq - Bring the troops home". People ask, where are the young people are in the peace movement? Today, they were here, leading hundreds to the base.
In a little park across from the navy base, those prepared to be arrested linked arms in 5 lines of 7 or eight people. Chanting together "We are war resisters", they took one step forward. Repeating that line, they moved up the road to the base. Over 22 officers stood in front of locked gates to the base. The chant changed to "We are peace promoters". One man stepped forward and walked right up to the gate-, which meant he crossed the "blue line" and was technically on the base - even though he was outside of the gate. He quietly held the bars of the gate, and the other protesters turned their backs to face the supporters below, across the road in the small park. But the supporters weren't across the road. They had moved up to a grassy area near the road to the base entrance.
Protesters sat down and waited. There was no traffic on the road while the protest occurred. A sheriff announced that the group had 10 minutes to decide to be arrested or to clear off the road. Protesters began to sing, "Last Night I had the Strangest Dream I ever had before. I dreamed the world had all agreed to put an end to war." Steve Durfee, a local performer with the arrestee group, led the song like Pete Seeger - saying the next line so everyone could sing together. And hundreds sang, and when they got to the line about joining hands, everyone held hands together on the road.
In this beautiful setting on Puget Sound, the bay was glittering, Mt. Rainier was in the distant background, and the trees and mountains were peaceful. "It seems such a shame that the military is here, shipping death and horror to Iraq and around the world.” said one of the protesters.
The sheriff asked if protesters wanted to be arrested sitting or standing, and most protesters stood up. The police first handcuffed two members of Youth Against War and Racism in Seattle, who were the youngest protesters in the group. Then the others were handcuffed and led to two Jefferson Transit buses, to be taken to the Jefferson County Jail. Before the buses left, supporters blew kisses and thanked arrestees.
Those arrested were given a citation for disorderly conduct, with a fine of $250. Arrestees plan to contest the citation. They were also given a “ban and bar” letter from the base commander. Several protesters thanked the arresting officers for handling them with such care and respect. Arrestees returned the park where the day began, to hear a concert by Joe Breskin and David Rovics.
