An Acknowledgement of Resistance

September 1, 2007 marks the 20 year anniversary of an action of conscience and resistance by Vietnam War veteran S. Brian Willson. On September 1, 1987, Brian Willson placed himself on the tracks of a naval train out of Concord, California. The train was carrying bombs and munitions headed to Central America. The train refused to stop; running over Brian Willson severing both of his legs.

Brian Willson has continued to be an activist for peace. His essays for peace and justice are posted at S. Brian Willson Essays. His most recent article is The Trauma of Civilization for Our Species: War and Its Victims. In "War and Its Victimes," Mr. Willson takes a historical tour of war, and war from the Korean war to the present. He notes that in the last 5,500 years 14.500 major wars have taken place "claiming the lives of at least 3.5 billion people." The twentieth century was particularly lethal with over 50 million war fatalities. He concludes the essay as follows:

We in so-called democratic societies seem to actually believe that our political structures represent the people, rather than power. It is time to drop that belief such that we might be enabled to become disobedient to power. Instead, we can choose to become personally responsible with all our relationships as they manifest in the communities where we live. As we revolt from obedience we may learn that we are totally capable of remaking ourselves into an earth community rather than a bunch of plundering consumers. Our lives, and the life of an inhabitable planet, depends on it, beginning right where we live. Let us globalize liberation in each of our communities. Why not make a leap into local self-reliant community where democracy is direct, i.e., radical. This is a fantastic opportunity for all of us to become awake and vital. Or, we can choose business as usual, and stumble off the cliff to a terrifying death below-omnicide.

Members of the "Nuremberg Actions will be gathering at the site of the protest that led to Brian's sacrifice on September 1. Below is the information from David Hartsough.

Note: I have removed the personal contact information because this is an open site, and the email notification of this event went out to a specific group

September 1st, 1987 - September 1st, 2007: After 20 Years, Remembering, Reflecting and Recommitment

Join Brian Willson, Ken Butigan, and many others from Nuremberg Actions for the 20th Anniversary of the Navy assault on Brian, Dave Duncombe, Duncan Murphy and all of us in Nuremberg Actions on Saturday, Sept 1 at the tracks at Concord Naval Weapons Station at 10 am.

This will be an opportunity for Remembering, reflecting on the meaning of that day and the Nuremberg actions in which we blocked trains and trucks carrying bombs and munitions to kill our brothers and sisters in Central America for over three years, and Recommitment to the work still ahead!

For those who need directions, come out highway 4 and turn north on Port Chicago highway till you come to the tracks opposite the entrance to Concord Naval Weapons station. It will likely be hot, so bring sunscreen and protection from the sun.

...

The media will also be present including Kevin Fagan who is now with the SF Chronicle. Please feel free to share some of what you see as the importance and significance of that day and Nuremberg Actions for the world.

...

Please share with others who were part of Nuremberg Actions or who you feel might like to join us for this gathering.

Hope to see you Sept 1.
....

Warm Greetings and Peace,

David Hartsough