Since the summer of 2018, we’ve kept an eye on the legal proceedings surrounding a group of Catholic anti-nuclear activists who have come to be known as the Kings Bay Plowshares 7.
On the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s death in April of last year, they broke into the Kings Bay Naval Station in Georgia to protest the American nuclear arsenal. They hammered on statues of nuclear missiles; they poured blood around the base, and hung anti-nuclear banners. Officials at the base said they did more than $30,000 worth of damage to property at the base.
The activists were arrested and charged with conspiracy, destruction of government property, depredation and trespassing. Last month, they stood trial on those charges in Federal court in Georgia. A jury found them guilty of all of the charges. They could face 20 years in prison. Sentencing will likely take place at the end of December.
The seven activists include Elizabeth McAlister, a founder of Jonah House here in Baltimore. Liz McAlister spent more 18 months in prison while she awaited trial. She and all but one of the protesters are out of jail while they await sentencing. Tom spoke with Liz McAlister earlier this month.
