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36 Arrested at
Y-12 National Security Complex

in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

where essential components for every nuclear warhead in the US arsenal are made

After having gone through the fence, Fr. Bill Bichsel, from the Tacoma Catholic Worker in Washington state, Sr. Ardeth Platte, OP and Sr. Carol Gilbert, OP, both from Jonah House, stand with Security Guard Barry

photo from Frank Munger

Thirteen were arrested on federal trespass charges, held over night, and brought to a detention hearing in the US Federal Court in Knoxville. They were all released under many conditions, and have to report to the federal pre-release probation officer in their own district. Those charged with federal trespass are:

Carol Gilbert, OP, Ardeth Platte, OP, Jackie Hudson, OP, Bonnie Urfer, Bill Bichsel, SJ, Bradford Lyttle, Michael Walli, David Corcoran, Jean Gump, Steve Baggarly, Dennis DuVall, Sr. Mary Dennis Lentsch, Beth Rosdatter.

The US Attorney announced that they faced a fine of not more than $100,000, one year in federal prison, one year of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100.

Fr. Bix was one of those who went through the fence at Y-12, and walked for several minutes onto the grass at the National Security Complex. For this, he was held overnight, brought to court for a detention hearing, is charged with federal trespass, and is released under strict conditions.

Compare that to last November, when Fr. Bix and four others brought hammers and walked onto the US Naval Base in Bangor, Washington home of the largest stockpile of nuclear warheads in the US. Fr. Bix and the Disarm Now Plowshares activists walked for four hours through the night, and at dawn cut through two high security fences to enter the Strategic Weapons Facility, Pacific where the nuclear warheads are stored. The plowshares activists were right next to the nuclear bunkers when they were arrested.
Fr. Bix was held for several hours, and released. There were NO conditions on his release, and the misdemeanor charges that were on the citation he was given were dropped. Captain Mark Olsen, Commander of the Naval Base Kitsap/Bangor, must have been very embarrassed that Bix and the others were able to get into the high security area, and indeed was so embarrassed that no charges have been brought (this eight months later)!

Those arrested and charged with obstructing a roadway were: Beth Brockman, Barbara Corcoron, Nancy Gowen, Janice Sevre-Duszynska, Susan Crane, Liz McAlister, Billie Hickey, Clare Grady, Alice Baker, Martha Hennessee, Pepperwolf, Judith Hallock, Joan Noyes, Steve Jacobs, Ed Bloomer, Steven Clemens, John Schuchardt, Marcus Atkinson, Paul Fesefeldt, Frank Cordaro, Joe Gump, Tom Palumbo, and Jon Blickenstaff.

Y-12 protest nets dozens arrests - article and video posted on Michael Moore's website
Asheville woman among more than 30 protesters arrested at Oak Ridge Y-12 plant - article including quotes from participants, posted on Michael Moore's website
Oak Ridge Y-12 protests, Part 1 - video by Loring Wirbel
Oak Ridge Y-12 protests, Part 2 - video by Loring Wirbel

Trial Proceedings

Motion In Limine