By Jane Stoever
Local and national peace folks are planning a May 18 gathering and May 19 action, “Resist Nukes!” It will feature planning, preparing, and then protesting at the KC National Security Campus (KCNSC). That’s where electrical/mechanical parts are made/procured for the US nuclear arsenal, with new nukes on the horizon. Come join us!!!
An April 6 planning session for a May witness at the KCNSC sprouted energy and hope. Eleven persons attended in person; 8 via zoom.
Nashid from Jerusalem Farm in KC suggested following the process Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., outlined in “A Letter from Birmingham Jail.” In that letter, King states: “In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action.” Referring to both King and Gandhi, Nashid said, “Nonviolence is a way of life,” not just a guideline or single action. He advised, “Self-purification and a genuine willingness to negotiate with one’s opponents are essential to Nonviolence. Do so with no anger or hatred toward others. Break unjust laws and suffer the penalty. Trust that the sufferings and self-purification will draw others to action, negotiation.” Nashid eventually asked, “What’s the purpose of our action?”
Ann Suellentrop said she had crossed the KCNSC property line three times and, in 2023, a judge threw the case out of court. Why? Because, after the case seemed to be wrapped up, right before the judge’s final statement about guilty or not guilty, the prosecutor asked to “amend the charge” from occurring at the federal KCNSC to also name Honeywell, the plant administrator. The judge objected to the late change and told Ann, “You are not guilty. You are free to go.” But reflecting on that judge’s sensitivity, Ann said April 6, “Who knows, in the era of Trump, what will happen?” Ann explained she had approached her trial in 2023 “in a loving way. I said good afternoon, with a smile, to the prosecution witness,” a guard at the KCNSC. Ann also said April 6 that retired lawyer Henry Stoever had worked with her “extensively” before the trial. She said, “I could think about crossing again.”
Henry Stoever commented on April 6, “Kansas City, Missouri, does not have a jail.” He added that he and his wife, Jane, may cross the line again this May.
Two Christian communities in KC MO—Cherith Brook Catholic Worker House and Jerusalem Farm—will help host persons coming from out of town for resisting nuclear weapons.
Barbara Kass, from Anathoth Catholic Worker Farm in Luck, WI, said she and her husband, Mike Miles, would prefer to cross the KCNSC property line when employees are there, not on a holiday, such as Memorial Day.
Mike Miles talked about the far reach of US nuclear weapons, saying six European countries have the B61-12 nuclear bombs “forward deployed,” ready to be guided to a target. Mike said, in the words of Wendell Berry, “We must practice resurrection.” Mike encouraged, “Put yourself at risk on behalf of innocents. That’s how grace breaks into the present time. We need to say to Kansas City, ‘It stops here.’ That’s how God breaks in.”
Various persons in the April 6 meeting committed to being available, whether for a line-crossing or in a support role. The next planning meeting, via zoom, will be on April 24, 7-8:30pm Central Daylight Time. Contact Jane Stoever at 913-206-4088 to participate.
In a closing remark, Daniel Karam said, “Stop the push for world domination! It is a sickness that has infected the world!”
Bryson Ripley, chair of the local Veterans for Peace, said he wanted to see a better world for the children to come. Referring to helping with the overall effort, he used a military phrase: “I’ll be in the rear with the gear!” He suggested we declare, “Nuclear weapons are for weak leaders.”
And Bennette Dibben referred to the fact that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has been incorporated into the laws of more than 70 countries. “Nuclear weapons are illegal,” Bennette insisted.
—Jane Stoever has participated in resisting nuke-making in KC for 16 years.
