We had a wonderful music party last week at the home of former community member Tina Delany, but it was a bittersweet moment for all of us, as we were also bidding farewell to community members Margaret and Allison. They have enlivened our life and work for the last two years and will be sorely missed! Good luck Margaret and Allison on your journeys and happy trails!
Check out pictures of the party.
Come join the party! The Catholic Worker Seder of Liberation will be at 3 PM on April 19th (the Sunday after Easter), at the new location of All Saints Episcopal Church Highland Park. Call 323-267-8789 to R.S.V.P. and sign up to bring a salad or a desert and grape juice or wine. Click here for pictures of last year’s Seder.
The annual Catholic Worker Stations of the Cross will be on Good Friday, April 10th, at 3:00 PM. We will be meeting in front of the Downtown Federal Building for a prayerful walk to the places of darkness in our city. The nearest availible parking is at the Los Angeles Mall across the street. For pictures of last year’s stations click here.
On Thursday, March 12, 2009, Defendants Dennis Apel, Jeff Dietrich, Fr. Louie Vitale, OFM, represented by Kate Chatfield, and Fr. Steve Kelly, SJ, in pro per, stood before Magistrate Rita Coyne-Federman for sentencing for their nonviolent witness on May 19, 2007. The the probation department issued the following sentence recommendation to the court: Dennis Apel-30 day home confinement plus 30 days probation - no fine. Jeff Dietrich-4 months incarceration plus $1000 fine plus $35 court costs. Fr. Louie Vitale-5 months incarceration plus $1000 fine plus $35 court costs. Fr. Steve Kelly-6 months incarceration plus $1000 fine plus $35 court costs. However, after hearing statements from defense attorney Kate Chatfield, the military JAG (judge-advocate general) and all defendants, Magistrate Rita Coyne-Federman stated that the chrages did not warrant jail time. She imposed the following sentences: Dennis Apel-$2500 fine plus $35 court costs. Jeff Dietrich-$1000 fine plus $35 court costs. Fr. Louie Vitale-$500 fine plus $35 court costs. Fr. Steve Kelly-$1000 fine plus $35 court costs. All defendants stated their refusal to pay the fines and court costs. The court did not respond. All defendants have until May 12, 2009 to submit payment. No further court appearance was scheduled.
To read Dennis Apel’s inspiring statement to the court and for all the other Vandenberg news visit vandenbergwitness.org.
March 21: Mass Protest in Los Angeles to Stop the Wars!
Occupation is a Crime: Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine
We Need Jobs & Education - Not Wars & Occupation
International Day of Action on the 6th Anniversary of the Iraq War
Saturday, March 21, 12 noon
Gather Hollywood Blvd. & Vine St., L.A. (between Vine & Ivar)
March to Hollywood & Highland
For more information visit ANSWER LA.
Christmas is one of the few times each year that there is an abundance of meals being served to the homeless on Skid Row. We at the LACW are taking this opportunity, and will be closed on Christmas Day. We will resume our regular schedule on Saturday the 27th. Thanks!
Students from St. Paul, Don Bosco Tech, Damien and Ramona Convent High schools and St. Stephen Church Youth Group Marched 26 miles from Boyle Heights to the Ocean on the 36th annual March for Hunger. Thank you marchers for all your hard work!
Defendants Dennis Apel, Jeff Dietrich, Fr. Louie Vitale, OFM, and Fr. Steve Kelly, SJ, were found guilty of trespass on Thursday, Dec. 4, by Magistrate Rita Coyne-Federman in Santa Barbara Federal Court for their witness on May 19, 2007. Sentencing will be on March 12, 2009 at 1:30 pm. The prosecution made a motion in limine, which the court granted, that prohibited the defendants from making any comment or statement with regard to their religious or political reasons or views for their act of trespass. This ruling essentially gagged the defendants from making any meaningful statement in their defense since the foundation of their action was inspired by their religious and political beliefs. Kate Chatfield, attorney for the defendants, desperately attempted to find a way for the defendants to make their statement, but Prosecutor Sharon McCaslin vigorously objected to nearly every question asked of the defendants, with the Court sustaining each objection. However, enough was said to display the defendants sincerity on that Armed Forces Day 2007.
After a two and one-half hour evidentiary hearing on defendant Mike Wisniewski’s motion to dismiss the trespass charge, Magistrate Rita Coyne-Federman ruled against the motion. However, during the trial, after viewing the government-provided video of the May 19, 2007 witness at Vandenberg AFB, when the prosecution rested its case, Wisniewski’s Public Defender, John Littrell, made a motion to acquit, which Magistrate Coyne-Federman granted. The court ruled that the government failed to prove that defendant Wisniewski was given a warning to move back across the “green line” or face arrest, as issued to the other defendants before arrest and mandated by law. Wisniewski will not face sentencing since he was acquitted of the trespass charge. He will now attempt to have the life-time “ban and bar” letter against him removed.
Click here to see photos of the Vigil in May 2007.
Check out all the Vandenberg resistance news at vandenbergwitness.org.
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