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42 Arrested at Alliant Techsystems
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Pepperwolf, W A M M
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Forty-two activists, including one minor, were arrested at the corporate headquarters of Alliant Techsystems (ATK), 5050 Lincoln Drive, Edina on Monday October 24 in a nonviolent direct action against the company’s production of indiscriminate weapons. These weapons include cluster bombs, landmines, Trident II rocket motors and over 19 million depleted uranium munitions. Alliant Tech is the largest Minnesota based weapons contractor.
Edina police officers arrested several dozen people in the company parking lot and nine others at ATK’s front door. Those arrested were issued citations alleging trespass in violation of a new Edina city ordinance and released. One16-year-old youth was escorted back to school by the Edina police department. The petty-misdemeanor citation carries a possible $200 fine and arraignment dates are currently being set in January. Most of those arrested attended a Peace Convergence the day before at the University of St. Thomas where they learned about indiscriminate weapons, their effects and the reasons they violate international law.
The action, dubbed “UN Day at ATK—Rejoining the World Community” celebrated United Nations Day, October 24, the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Charter outlawing wars of aggression. Our litany preceding the action stated why we were there: We say that domination by one nation doesn’t bring justice or peace. We gathered outside to grieve the destruction that ATK’s products have on the earth and her people. We say that their weapons are a cancer destroying our strength and security. And we were there to blow the whistle on ATK’s illegal weapons.
AlliantACTION is the organizer of a weekly Wednesday morning vigil from 7 to 8 a.m. at ATK, now in its tenth year. Over the past nine years more than 500 arrests have been made in nonviolent actions at the company’s headquarters.
Additional information from AlliantACTION online. |
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© 2005/2006 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete December 2005/January 2006 Index - click here
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