April 9, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR INFORMATION:
Jeff Leys - 773-619-2418
www.nevadadesertexperience.org




AFGHANISTAN WAR ACTION RESULTS IN
14 ARRESTS AT CREECH AIR FORCE BASE



Indian Springs, NV – Late this afternoon, fourteen peace activists were arrested at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada. The arrests occurred during a ten-day vigil whose goal is to raise public awareness of the increasing use of unmanned drones in the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Air Force personnel based at Creech pilot the Predator and Reaper drones being used in Central Asia.

The 14 people walked through the open main gate shortly after 3:00 p.m. Air Force security personnel stopped them after they walked into the base. They were seeking to engage in dialogue with the Air Force service members controlling the Predators and Reapers used in Central Asia. In a gesture of good will, they offered to break bread and share pizza with Air Force personnel.

The Nevada State Highway Patrol responded, as did the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. The activists were arrested on the charge of trespass and transported to the Clark County Detention Facility. The 14 are currently being booked and processed at the facility.

Those arrested include:

John Dear, S.J. (New Mexico)

Kathy Kelly (Chicago Illinois, she has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize)

Dennis DuVall (Arizona)

Renee Espeland (Des Moines, Iowa Catholic Worker Community)

Judy Homanich (Binghamton, New York)

Steve Kelly, S.J. (California)

Mariah Klusmire (Albuquerque, New Mexico Catholic Worker community)

Louis Vitale, O.F.M. (Oakland, California)

Jerry Zawada, O.F.M. (Tucson, Arizona)

Sister Megan Rice, SHCJ (Nevada Desert Experience, Las Vegas, Nevada)

Brian Terrell (Strangers & Guests Catholic Worker, Maloy, Iowa)

Eve Tetaz (Washington, D.C.)

Brad Lyttle (Chicago, Illinois)

Elizabeth Pappalardo (Crystal Lake, Illinois)