SEE PRIOR news release
SEE NEXT news release

NEWS RELEASE
14 August 2008
Contact Trinity Nuclear Abolitionists: 505 242 0497



TAX-DAY ACTIVISTS GO TO COURT FOR PRAYING AT NUCLEAR SITE


On April 14th, 2008 two members of Trinity Nuclear Abolitionists (TNA) were arrested for praying at Los Alamos National Laboratory in opposition to war taxes. Mike Butler is awaiting a court hearing on his plea bargain, but Marcus Page goes to his jury trial on Monday the 18th. The two men were part of a group of six who held vigil during daylight hours on April 14th & 15th. Charged with trespassing on Department of Energy land, both men believe they were praying openly along the public road in county territory, and they believe the Laboratory has no rights to conduct nuclear weapons work anywhere. TNA continues to conduct monthly vigils on Department of Energy land at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a facility of the Department of Energy (DoE). Marcus Page received word last week that the Honorable Magistrate Pat Casados would not recuse herself. Page believes the judge is in a partnership with an employee of LANL, and was surprised by the refusal to recuse. Page says, "The DoE has set itself up in opposition to free speech in this case. The DoE's interests are at stake here. That means the people of the DoE will benefit from a verdict of 'guilty'. Shouldn't the employees of the DoE and LANL, and their spouses be excused from trying to judge who wins this case? Will nuclear abolitionists get a fair trial in a court staffed by nuclear profiteers?"