Letter To Judge Theresa Buchanan
from Susan Crane in the Alexandria Detention Center

August 9, 2006
Alexandria Detention Center
2001 Mill Road
Alexandria, Virginia

U.S. District Judge Buchanan
U.S. Federal Court
401 Courthouse Square
Alexandria, Virginia

Dear Judge Buchanan,

I was arrested on Hoy Thursday as I held a banner, "No War, No Torture" in front of the metro entrance checkpoint at the Pentagon. On July 21 you sentenced me to 30 days and I am now at the Alexandria Detention Center.

As I read the War Crimes section of Title 18, it is a war crime if the Geneva convention 12 August 1949 or sections of the Hague conventions that the U.S. is a party to are violated. These conventions govern conduct of international armed conflict.

The use of depleted uranium, a radioactive and chemical poison that indiscriminately disables and kills civilians is a war crime. the abuse of civilians in occupied terrorities is a war crime. The abuse of prisoners of war is a war crime (e.g. at Guantanamo).

When I read 18 USC Sec 4, I see that I am guilty of a felony if I don't speak out about felonies that I see are being committed.

I believe that I was upholding the US Constitution (the Supremacy Clause) and federal law when I went to the Pentagon on Holy Thursday.

Additionally, my faith teaches me to love others: neighbors and enemies alike, and to remember that the children of Iraq and Afghan Moms are as precious as my own children.

When I asked you to join us, I wasn't being frivolous. I ask you again: help us, as a nation, uphold the law; help us stop our war crimes. Surely you see an increase inviolence in our nation. We need to find nonviolent solutions to our international and national problems. Dr. Martin Luther King gave us good advice when he said, "The choice is not between violence or nonviolence, but between nonviolence or nonexistence."

I know you have a full schedule, but I invite you to visit me here in the jail, and when I come before you again, I invite you to uphold all the laws, and rule from your heart of compassion.

Thank you.
In peace,

Susan Crane