Monday, June 22, 2015

Trial Begins JUNE 24 in New York State for Drone Warfare Opponents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              CONTACTS: Ellen Barfield, 410-908-7323

21 June, 2012                                                              Jules Orkin, 201-566-8403
                                                                                 Joan Pleune, 718-855-2581
                                                                                 Beverly Rice, 646-335-2404
                                                                                 www.upstatedroneaction.org         


                                Four Defendants Go On Trial 24 June
                                        at DeWitt, NY Town Court
               for Opposing Reaper Drone War Crimes at Hancock Air Base      


At 9am, Wednesday 24 June, 2015, Ellen Barfield of Baltimore, MD, Jules Orkin of Bergenfield,
NJ, Joan Pleune and Beverly Rice of New York City, defended by Attorney Lewis B. Oliver
of Albany, NY, will begin trial before a six-person jury in the DeWitt, NY Town Court of
Judge Zavaglia, charged with 2 counts of disorderly conduct, one count of trespass,
and one count of obstructing government administration.

Over 2 years ago, on 28 April, 2013, the four were arrested with 27 others for allegedly
blocking the driveway leading to the main gate of the Hancock Reaper drone base on
East Molloy Rd, town of DeWitt.

The arrestees that day are members and colleagues of Upstate Drone Action, a grass-
roots group which calls public attention to the killing and terrorizing of Afghan civilians
by Hancock's 174th Attack Wing of the NY National Guard, and urges drone operators
to examine their consciences.

Upstate Drone Action, along with colleague organizations Veterans For Peace and the
Granny Peace Brigade to which the defendants belong, believe the killing is immoral
and illegal, violating the United Nations Charter, and international treaty laws which
under Article 6 of the US Constitution are part of the supreme law of the United States
and supercede local and Federal law.

Since 2010 anti-drone activists have experienced nearly 200 arrests and numerous jail
sentences at Hancock for scrupulously-nonviolent protests, as part of a national campaign
to resist drones at a number of bases.

Related posts


Hancock Show Trial #2: Vietnam Vet Drone Resister ACQUITTED!

Hancock Show Trial #1: Anti-Drone Protester Convicted of a Misdemeanor

The Hancock Show Trials: Quashing Dissent Against America's Criminal Drone Killing Program

One Year in Prison: Sentence in Connection with "Order of Protection" Directed Against Stop Antiwar Protest