A week after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that military commanders can decide who can be on their installations, activist Dennis Apel and another protester were arrested again for trespassing at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Apel of Santa Maria and another longtime activist, Father Steve Kelly from the Bay Area, were detained by security forces members shortly after the protest began in front of Vandenberg on Wednesday afternoon.
Before his latest arrest, Apel read a statement contending the federal government has “waged a campaign to silence my voice and the voices of others” by deeming him a security risk.
Apel’s latest arrest came exactly a week after Supreme Court ruling which Apel contends gave “unbridled power” to military commanders.
“This ruling is dangerous, dangerous for our freedom of speech, it is dangerous for our obligation to hold our government accountable, and it is
another step in the erosion of the constitutionally guaranteed rights which were put in place to secure our liberty,” Apel said.
For the past 18 years, Apel, a Santa Maria resident and part of the Guadalupe Catholic Worker movement, has protested at Vandenberg.
He has been arrested more than 15 times, including after he tossed a bottle of his own blood on a the Vandenberg sign in 2003. Some of his arrests came after he stepped over the designated green line for protests.
But Apel has challenged the “ban and bar letter” issued to anyone arrested at the base, contending he can’t be stopped from being on the grassy area designated for legal protests and located alongside a public highway.
While the Supreme Court ruling favored the Air Force, justices noted that issue of free speech remained unresolved by the opinion.
On Wednesday afternoon, 13 people gathered on the grass for the monthly protest in front of the base, but only two — Apel and Kelly — were taken into custody. The pair were issued citation for trespassing and later released off base.
Vandenberg officials said the reason for the arrests Wednesday could be found in last week’s Supreme Court ruling granting military commanders the right to decide who can be on an installation.
“People do have the right to peacefully protest — that’s why we’re here, to defend the right to peacefully protest within the limits of the law,” said Larry Hill, a Vandenberg spokesman.
Apel and others have gathered once a month for nonviolent vigils near the main gate, with larger gatherings held a few Saturdays during the year.
Along with Apel’s wife, Tensie, others gathered Wednesday included World War II veterans and longtime activists Bill Denneen of Nipomo and Elden “Bud” Boothe of Los Olivos.
Drivers on Highway 1 occasionally honked in support of the protesters, but another slowed down to shout “Idiots,” at the small group holding signs.
After Apel read his statement, Denneen, a World War II veteran, said, “You’re my hero. ... I am so glad Dennis is here and active. ... Dennis represents the future and if we’re going to have a future, we’re going to have to get an alternative to war.”
Another protest is planned the afternoon of March 14 in connection with the 22nd annual conference organized by the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space in Santa Barbara that weekend. The Global Network is made up of 150 peace and religious groups from around the world opposed to a new arms race in space.
(Fwd by Bruce Gagnon )