Shut down Creech 2016: Military Veterans arrested at Creech Air Force Base Trying to Stop Drone Warfare

Indian Springs, NV – During peak rush hour traffic on Thursday, March 31 at Creech Air Force Base, military veterans and friends were arrested while waving Veterans for Peace (VFP) flags and nonviolently blocking traffic at the East Gate on Hwy. 95, the primary commuter gate into the base. As the traffic was impeded, Las Vegas police diverted cars up the highway to less used, alternative gates.

At the same time, 20 people held vigil between the frontage road and US Highway 95 as four other peace and justice activists greeted the diverted traffic with a second peaceful anti-drone blockade expressed as a sitting silent meditation in front of the second gate.

The arrests at 7:50 a.m. were part of a week-long orchestrated effort by over 100 activists from over 20 states in the country, mobilized to oppose the U.S. drone program that uses remotely controlled planes controlled at Creech to indiscriminately drop missiles on some of the most vulnerable populations in the world. Thursday’s traffic was delayed for fifteen minutes, as Creech employees and contractors were diverted to the 2nd gate, and then to the 3rd gate once demonstrators blocked the 2nd gate. The prayer-activists at the 2nd gate were not arrested.

This was the first of several civil resistance actions planned during the week-long National Mass Mobilization against Drone Warfare known as SHUT DOWN CREECH. All of the demonstrators who were arrested were taken to the Las Vegas Metropolitan County Jail.

Meanwhile the remaining activists at “Camp Justice” across from the base continue the regular schedule of nonviolence training and strategy sessions for creative and nonviolent ways to stop the illegal assassination program at Creech Air Force Base for as long as possible.

The 8 activists arrested were:

Barry Binks, VFP, California
Leslie Harris, VFP, Texas
Tarak Kauff, VFP, New York
Chris Knudsen, VFP, California
Barry Ladendorf, VFP, California
Ken Mayers, VFP, New Mexico
Joan Pleune, NY Granny Peace Brigade, New York
Col. Ann Wright, VFP and retired 29 year army veteran, and former U.S. diplomat, Hawaii

Press release Shut Down Creech 31-3-16

Military Veterans arrested at Creech Air Force Base Trying to Stop Drone Warfare, 31st of March 2016

The Tall Whites Communiqué: to the People of Indian Springs, NV: March 27-April 2nd 2016

Poster of the Tall Whites, talking to the inhabitants of Indian Springs, NV about the dangers of drone warfare, 27 March 2016 to April 2nd 2016

The Tall Whites Communiqué
People of Indian Springs, Hear Us!
We are the Tall Whites.
We are your neighbors.
Creech AFB is destroying your town.
The drone assassination program run by the CIA and its minions, the USAF, is illegal and criminal.
It will destroy you and your community, both physically & morally. Open your eyes. See how little is left.
This ends our communication.
Mass Mobilization to Stop the Drone Wars
Indian Springs, Nevada
March 27 – April 2, 2016
“The Truth is Out There”
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Ann Wright at Shut Down Creech

September 14: Trial of the Creech 14

MORE INFO: Nevada Desert Experience

“There is No Appeal from Drone Strikes. Our Grief is Still Not a Cry for War”

14 People were arrested in April 2009 for crossing onto Creech Air Force Base near Las Vegas for attempting to stop or at least dialog with commanders of the Predator and Reaper remotely piloted “drones” that are either protecting US forces or are inciting outrage and endless war because they are killing civilians and being used questionably against people in violation of international and US law, depending on your perspective.

The DA (or someone) reversed themselves and belatedly decided to prosecute the activists, some of whom have served in the military or have seen first-hand the destruction in Pakistan and Afghanistan caused by drone and other US air strikes.

Tuesday, Sept. 14

Trial of Creech 14 defendants:
Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave.,
Las Vegas, 5th Floor (Regional Court, Department 5):
7:30 am rally in at Lewis and 3rd St.; 8:30 am trial scheduled to begin.

It is unclear how long the trial will last: the morning, all day, more
than a day?