The red and black on white six-foot or so long banner read "Conversion: Military Dollars to Human Needs." As Russell and Glenn, who had also been incarcerated in the past at a New York City anti-war rally, approached the actual security gate, shouts and the high shrieks of police whistles filled the air and a contingent of police rushed to arrest them. They had been standing by because it had already been announced in the media that there would be an act of civil disobedience. The arrests were completed in several minutes, and everything went back to normal in a jaded world overwhelmed with war, torture, mass murder and weaponry, but abnormal in a Universe underwritten by Love and Unity. You can watch the whole thing slowly unfold on my video of the event by clicking here.
Russell and Glenn being arrested by base police
The base police, who were quite professional, confiscated the banner and led Russell and Glenn, hand-cuffed, to a processing room where they given citations for trespassing and orders banning them from the naval station in the future. Several hours later they were released.
The rest of us held the vigil for a few minutes longer before dispersing back to waiting transportation down the road. Thus ended the Road to No War: A Walk for Disarmament from Camp Peary to Naval Station Norfolk. How much impact this will have on the ongoing struggle to move the country and world beyond fear and loathing and ultimately into the Light has yet to be seen, but everyone involved knows that they touched some hearts and minds that week.
Plowsharers returning from Naval Station Norfolk
I also have posted a photo album of the vigils and walk for the day at Kodak Gallery online. You can view the entire slideshow by clicking here. You do not have to sign in.
When you reach the site you can start the slideshow or thumb through the photos manually.
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