Dramatization of Hospitalcide at Main Gate:
On Thursday morning, January 23, 2025, almost 50 people gathered at Fairfield’s Travis Air Force Base, to protest Travis’s role in shipping U.S. weapons to Israel, aiding in the genocide of the Palestinian people.
"While we rejoice in the current so-called ‘ceasefire’ for Gaza, we recognize that it is only for 6 weeks, and even that is precarious. It must become permanent. Until then, the only way to stop the obscenity and scale of Israeli war crimes in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and beyond is to EMBARGO ALL US MILITARY AID AND WEAPONS SUPPLY TO ISRAEL.”
The “hospitalcide” of Gaza was reenacted with dramatic street theater within sight of the U.S. Air Force's largest medical facility in the country. Carrying a very large cardboard Kamal Adwan Hospital, demonstrator “patients” in hospital gowns, bandaged body parts, walkers and wheelchairs were accompanied by “nurses and doctors.” All were attacked by “IDF soldiers” carrying large cardboard automatic rifles. Posters with the story of Director Hussam Abu Safiya rounded out the scene to recreate Israel’s Dec. 27 attack on and destruction of the last standing one in Northern Gaza. (Dr. Abu Safiya was arrested and “disappeared” and is thought to be in Israel’s notorious Ofer Military Prison, known for torture and other abuses.) Every time the light turned red for cars, the hospitalcide theater traversed the crosswalk, ending on the other side with “dead” patients and hospital staff and the kidnapping of Dr. Abu Safiya by the IDF soldiers.
This horrific scene was recreated for approximately two hours while educational flyers were distributed to accepting drivers stopped at the light. Anti-genocide signs and banners were displayed widely throughout the action, music and song kindled hope and inspiration, and numerous Travis visitors waved and gave sporadic peace signs and supportive horn honks. Vietnam era Veteran, Gerry Condon, organized a Veterans For Peace contingent that particularly addressed messaging, support and outreach needs to military personnel on the base; fostering GI resistance to help demilitarize our society is an added goal.
Grass Valley activist, Shirley Osgood, wore a long dress, with hundreds of names of Palestinian infants and babies known to have been killed in the genocide.
It was a dramatic and heartfelt action that is sure to have an impact on all that observed it.
People’s Blockade at North Gate:
Later, at about 2pm, a group of 8 activists, along with Franklin Sterling, KPFA’s independent journalist, regrouped at the North Gate to bring our “human blockade” insignia to the base: “If our government won’t stop arming Israel, then we, the people, will stop it ourselves.” Quickly parking our cars, five human blockaders stretched across the two lane Gate Rd to create the “people’s embargo.” Their large banner said, "STOP GENOCIDE”; their signs included: "PROSECUTE COL. JOHNSON 4 WAR CRIMES” (Travis’ commander) and “NOT ANOTHER BOMB.” A legal observer was present and other support folks.
Tensions rose quickly: Some of the drivers of the blocked cars became aggressive, using their vehicle as weapon to attempt to plow through the human blockade. The blockaders relinquished with the most aggressive drivers, allowing them to pass. They also allowed “special cases” to bypass the blockade (neighbors who live next to the base, people coming for medical appointments, a child being delivered home near the base, etc.)
At one point, an irate man got out of his car, and without warning, grabbed veteran and Veterans For Peace member Michael Kerr by the shoulders near his neck and dragged him sideways to the other side of the street. Luckily Michael was not harmed physically, and stayed calm without escalating the situation, in the spirit of our nonviolent campaign.
Ultimately the blockade held for approximately 45 minutes, at which point about 15 riot police arrived on foot from the base, giving orders to disperse. Three women, Kathie Moon, Shawna Bell and Toby Blomé remained in the blockade to continue to “put our bodies between U.S. weapons and the people of Gaza.” All three, two grandmothers and a therapist, were handcuffed and boarded onto a police van.
Shortly thereafter, Michael Kerr, acting only as a support person, was also handcuffed and boarded onto the police van because a driver (the same one who assaulted him earlier?) reported to the police that Michael had been throwing rocks. Thankfully, a short while later the false claimer recanted on his statement and Michael was released. Maybe he realized that the entire scene was captured on video?
The remaining arrestees were taken to Fairfield Jail and booked with two charges: Disobeying an order and jay walking. After almost eight hours they were cited and released at 11:00 PM. Our faithful jail support person, Fred Bialy, was ready to greet us. All three have orders to appear in court on March 20.
Thus far, the many dozens who have been arrested at Travis in ongoing anti-genocide protests since December 2023 have all had their charges dismissed, with all scheduled court hearings cancelled.
3 Cars Towed and the Vindictiveness of the Fairfield Police Department:
After the blockade, the Fairfield police (illegally) prevented the three remaining support folks from retrieving their cars for 30 minutes until three tow trucks arrived to tow their cars away. The cars were parked on the side of the road with (newly installed?) inconspicuous no parking signs. In previous actions we had parked in the same area without incident, despite dozens of police present.
Using Uber to get to the police station, the vehicle owners had to pay $700 each in total fees to get their cars back! There is a GoFundMe Fundraiser to support them. We will have our day in court with the Fairfield Police.
In addition, Wynd received a call from a reporter at Bay City News Service who told her that the Fairfield police had issued a press release that claimed the protestors were violent, threw rocks, and broke the windshield of a car. Wynd corrected the false information, and the reporter published a more balanced article. Sadly, early news reports emphasized the false claims of violence by activists.
A legal observer present noted that many of the drivers trying to get into the base at the site of the blockade were the most aggressive they had ever seen.
David Solnit, well-known artist-activist who has contributed impactful visuals to our campaign, declared, “No good deed goes unpunished.”
We are reminded of Mahatma Gandhi’s famous words:
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they will fight you, and then you win.”
They are fighting us now. We will not back down.
But we need more to succeed. Please join our campaign!
