MEDIA ADVISORY: NINE DEFENDANTS ARRESTED ON ORDERS OF GENERAL DYNAMICS’ BATH IRON WORKS ON TRIAL FEB 1 & 2, SAGADAHOC SUPERIOR COURT
Bath, Maine -- The Aegis 9 go to trial February 1-2 at the Sagadahoc County Courthouse in Bath (corner of Centre and High Streets) at 9:00 am. Defendants and supporters will hold a vigil in front of the courthouse at 7:30 am on Thursday, Feb 1.
To prevail in the trial, the State of Maine will need to prove that the nine protesters were not protected by the 1st amendment on April 1, 2017. The nine had gathered with about 20 other people to protest the “christening” of an Aegis destroyer ship at BIW and were arrested by Bath Police officers on the orders of General Dynamics.
Defendant and Bath resident Bruce Gagnon explained, “Our vision is that BIW be converted to build commuter rail systems, offshore wind turbines, solar and tidal power systems that would help us deal with our real problem – climate change.
We also call for the end to Maine taxpayer subsidies to the General Dynamics Corporation, the 5th largest weapons contractor in the world, as owner of BIW. They’ve used past Maine subsidies -- $200 million since 1997 -- to mechanize the operation which has led to job loss. Additionally General Dynamics has used the money to buy back their own stocks driving market value higher.”
The Aegis 9:
Bob Dale – Brunswick, VFP former Navy pilot
Bruce Gagnon – Bath, Veterans For Peace (VFP) & Global Network Against Nuclear Power & Weapons in Space
Natasha Mayers – Whitefield, Artist
Jason Rawn – Lincolnville, war tax resister
Mark Roman – Solon, Woodworker
Lisa Savage – Solon, teacher
Jessica Stewart – Bass Harbor, Catholic Worker activist
Mike Tork – Cape Cod, MA, VFP former Navy Vietnam vet
Russell Wray – Hancock, Artist
Supporters will hold a pot luck supper for the Aegis 9 at the Addams-Melman House in Bath (212 Centre St) starting at 5:30 pm. All are welcome to attend.
On Feb. 2 during the second day of trial the jury will hear arguments from six pro se defendants -- Dale, Gagnon, Mayers, Rawn, Roman and Wray -- and attorney Logan Perkins of Belfast representing Savage, Stewart and Tork. Both Savage and Stewart are also expected to testify.
The arrests last April generated wide news coverage in Maine:
Wiscasset Newspaper
They were protesting an event at BIW for the christening of the USS Monsoor, a DDG 1001 Zumwalt Class Naval Ship, being built at the ...
WGME
Times Record
Bangor Daily News
“I cannot stand by and watch our national treasury depleted building expensive, destructive war machines while climate change threatens the future of human life,” said defendant Roman, a member of the Maine Natural Guard.
“My grandchildren need me to stand up and say that building weapons of mass destruction does not increase security but it does drive climate change and waste money that could be spent on education, health care and housing for the 40,000 children in Maine living in poverty today.”
FMI 399-7623
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Savage and Spencer are expected to testify-- Whoo yes! I would love to be there, especially with cameras. For all the testimonies, There are no wimps or mumblers in the group. My heart is with you, I will try to spread the word. Love, Eliz
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