Anti-War/Peace

Concepcion dies after 35 years of antinuclear vigil at White House

On Monday, Jan 25, Piccolo Concepcion died, reported at an assisted living facility, known for her 35 year long vigil against nuclear weapons at the White House. This vigil began all the way back in 1981, during the darkest days of Ronald Reagan and two years before the "Able Archer" nuclear forces wargame nearly led to nuclear war by accident. Many confrontations took place in the early years, and most of the arcane regulations unique to what was known as Peace Park were the government's response. The vigil began with signs leaned on the White House fence, leading to the "no protest zone" used so often for civil disobedience to this day. It then crossed the street and huge antinuclear signs that doubled as small cabins were erected. They were cut down with chainsaws, leading to the current "structures" regulations concerning signs, etc. For all the brutality and crazy laws that went into effect, for all the bad arrests later overturned in court, the government never did manage to shut down the vigil.

Photo by War Resister's League

14 arrests at "Real State of the Union" war and drone protest

On the 12th of January, 14 people were arrested on the Capitol steps attempting to deliver a petition to Congress after a protest of unending US wars and armed drones that deliver only bombs and death. At one point during the preceding protest a portion of an alternative State of the Union Address was read. It included demolition of all the armed drones and the closure of Guantanimo Bay.

Video highlights including part of an alternate State of the Union, some of the arrests, and a "Hopium" interview clip about Obama's promises vs reality.(2:55)

14 arrests at "Real State of the Union"

Anti-torture activists demand closure of Gitmo on 14th anniversary of its opening

On the 11th of January, activists marked another year of prisoners being held without charge or trial at Guantanimo Bay, One detainee was released that morning, bringing the total number of men still buried alive at Gitmo to 103. This includes 44 (maybe 43 now) men "cleared for release" years ago but still held under conditions so bad many detainees have said they would prefer death to remaining at Gitmo.Obama has one year left to fulfill his oath to close Guantanimo Bay. Congress is but an excuse, a threat to pardon all remaining detainees would easily force Congress to enact any other plan the President put forth.

Video highlights of the GITMO 14 protest

Protesting 14 years of Hell on Earth at Gitmo

Koran burners STOPPED near the White House

On the 12th of December, the "new furor" exemplified by Donald Trump boiled over into an attempt by right-wing nutjobs to burn the Koran at the White House. With minutes to go, the Secret Service noticed an abandoned backpack and closed the street and park, denying them their intended location. Pushed to 15th st, the right-wingers pulled out a Koran and began to tear it up-only to lose control of it as counterprotesters challenged them for the book. The man tearing out pages started yelling "take it! take it! and someone did exactly that before he could set flame to it. Given this invitation, police made no attempt to stop the man who rescued the book and the pages and got them safely out of the area.

Video:anti-racist protesters confront would-be Koran burners

The Koran in the air as those who would burn it lose control of it-still from John Zangas Youtube video

Would-be Koran burners shut down

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