22 Protesters Arrested At General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works Demanding: #ConvertBIW To Address #ClimateEmergency

All arrest photos by Mary Donnelly

Twenty-two protesters who were blocking buses bringing guests to General Dynamics’ Bath Iron Works shipyard were arrested today in Bath and charged with obstructing a public way.

“We engaged in civil resistance to underscore our conversion demand. BIW should be helping to solve the climate crisis, not building weapons that make the problem worse,”

said Mark Roman of Solon, one of those arrested.

The protests were part of an ongoing Conversion Campaign in Maine. Recent events include a news conference at the Portland Public Library on June 21 and presentation at Portland Pecha Kucha EARTH on June 6.

The first wave of arrests occurred near the south gate of the shipyard, the second wave at an off ramp of Route 1 near BIW, and the third wave at the north gate entrance. Bath Police Department, Sheriffs and State Police participated in the arrests. Those arrested were taken to the Sagadahoc County Sherrif's facility in Bath for booking rather than the Bath Police Department offices; an officer explained that the number of protesters arrested and booked there on April 27 had "overwhelmed" that facility.

On April 27, 2019 25 protesters were arrested and charged with obstructing a public way. Sagadahoc County District Attorney Natasha Irving did not prosecute and the charges were dropped; it was reported in the press that she considered the cases a drain on the limited resources of her staff.

Protest photos are mine

Organizations sponsoring the June 22 protests and resistance include Americans Who Tell the Truth, Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats (COAST), Durham Quaker Meeting, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, Island Peace & Justice, Maine Independent Green Party, Maine Natural Guard, Maine Veterans for Peace, Maine War Tax Resistance Resource Center, Midcoast Peace & Justice Group, Pax Christi Maine, Peace Action Maine, Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine, Peace & Justice Group of Waldo County, PeaceWorks of Greater Brunswick, Peninsula Peace & Justice; and 350 Maine.