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| HISTORY: the Weekly Vigil and Nonviolent Actions |
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| image: M Bayly |
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In 1997 we celebrated at ATK's front door.
(weekly vigil)
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In the spring of 1996, after Alliant Techsystems was named as the largest United States producer of anti-personnel landmines by Human Rights Watch, a coalition including members of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, MIST, Veterans for Peace, Woman Against Military Madness, Sisters of St. Joseph and other groups and individuals held the first demonstration at Alliant's corporate headquarters, at the time located in Hopkins, Minnesota.
A small group blocked the main door, but after an hour, with no arrests or response by Alliant Tech, the group peacefully left.
A short time later, Char Madigan, CSJ, suggested a more permanent presence was needed at Alliant's front door and the weekly vigil was born. In the fall of 1998 the group became collectively known as AlliantACTION.
Although the vigils and demonstrations have focused on different weapon systems over the years, the main theme has always been to reduce the military budget, funding human needs, peace conversion and advocating for nonviolent alternatives to violent solutions for complex problems. |
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Since October 1996, 733 arrests have been made for nonviolent acts of civil resistance at ATK's corporate headquarters. First in Hopkins (295), then Edina (404) and now Eden Prairie (34). |
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Chronology of Nonviolent Resistance at Alliant
The history is chronologically reversed. The newest action is first. |
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September 28 2011
SERVING CEO MARK DEYOUNG WITH CIVIL ARREST WARRANT
30 vigilers blocked ATK's front door for over an hour while attempting to deliver the warrant and a copy of the document Employee Liabilities of Weapon Manufacturers Under International Law. Mr. DeYoung refused to see the group and 12 activists refused to leave the property after Eden Prairie Police arrived. They were arrested, ticketed and released.
On May 20, 2012.
(images from this action - click here)
August 2 2011
ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
ATK allows vigil shareholders to attend the Annual Meeting. During the question and answer period CEO DeYoung was asked if ATK's new 120 mm tank shell contained Depleted Uranium. He responded that it does and that the "government supplies us with the DU pennatrator and we simply assemble it in the shell".
October 11, 2010
FIRST PERSONAL MEETING WITH NEW CEO MARK DEYOUNG
After years of attempting to meet with upper management, new CEO Mark DeYoung agrees to meet with six of the weekly AlliantACTION vigilers. Also attending the meeting was ATKs chief legal counsel Kieth Ross. They accepted our document Employee Liabilities of Weapon Manufacturers Under International Law.
During the one hour meeting, among other things, Mr. DeYoung told us “We are not in that business” in reference to depleted uranium weapons and went on to say that ATK can always “pick and choose what contracts we will go after”.
August 3 2010
ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
For the first time, ATK allows vigil shareholders to attend the Annual Meeting. This reflects the leadership change at Alliant with former CEO Dan Murphy's departure. Their were no arrests.
October 2 2009
FOURTH ANNUAL ACTION IN CELEBRATION OF GANDHI'S BIRTH
WE ASK: WARFARE or HEALTHCARE
40+ gathered in the cold and rain to celebrate Gandhi's birth with several short talks, songs and cupcakes. Four nonviolent activists are arrested by Eden Prairie Police at ATK's front door while attempting to deliver the document Employee Liabilities of Weapon Manufacturers Under International Law. ATK officials refused to accept the book.
A trial date had been set for April 15, 2010. On that date a special hearing was arranged with the court for April 23. See story below.
(images from this action - click here)
(more about the trial - click here)
August 4 2009
ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
Fourteen legal shareholders, all members of AlliantACTION, attempted to attend Alliant Techsystems annual meeting. Four were allowed to attend; Ten were denied entry. Six examined the shareholder ledger; Four were cited for disorderly conduct walking past the barrier.
At a pre-trial status hearing on February 17, 2010, the charges were dropped.
(more about this action - click here)
March 4 2009
MARCH FORTH
Nine AlliantACTION members are arrested inside the lobby of ATK's "protester proof" headquarters while attempting to deliver the document Employee Liabilities of Weapon Manufacturers Under International Law. ATK officials refused to accept the book.
A jury trial was held on September 8, 2009 in Hennepin County District Court Downtown Minneapolis. All nine defendants were found guilty.
(more about this action - click here)
(more about the trial - click here)
August 5 2008
ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
Five legal shareholders, all members of AlliantACTION, were arrested by Eden Prairie Police at the direction of an Alliant Techsystems employee. All five had been issued a ticket by ATK to attend the meeting.
A jury trial had been set for February 10, 2009 in Hennepin County District Court Minneapolis, at which time the charges were dismissed as "unprosecutable".
Several weeks later, the city of Eden Prairie notified Alliant Techsystems that in the future, they would neither detain nor arrest legal shareholders attempting to attend the companies annual meeting.
(more about this action - click here)
• ATK moves corporate HQ 4.5 miles from Edina to Eden Prairie in April 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
LAST "OFFICIAL" EDINA VIGIL
In April of 2007, ATK announced it was considering a move to a new "protester proof" building. Later that summer the move became official when the company announced a new building was being built for them at 7480 Flying Cloud Drive in Eden Prairie, 4.5 miles away from their location in Edina.
The weekly vigil moved on April 2, 2008, but returned for a couple of weeks to Edina as the new building was behind schedule. The vigil made the move permanently on April 30th.
Since the fall of 2001, when ATK moved their headquarters from Hopkins, Edina Police have made 295 arrests for acts of nonviolent civil resistance at ATK's corporate headquarters. Both the Edina city attorney and police departments have referred to Alliant as a 'nuisance' business.
October 2 2007
SECOND ANNUAL ACTION IN CELEBRATION OF GANDHI'S BIRTH
Fourteen nonviolent activists are arrested by Edina Police on Gandhi's birthday while attempting to offer balloons for the officer's and ATK employee's children.
An arraignment date was set for December 10, 2007 at 1 PM in Hennepin County District Court Southdale, at which time the charges were dismissed.
(images from this action - click here)
August 6 2007
HIROSHIMA NEVER AGAIN
Eight individuals, including seven Christian Peacemaker Team members from a Chicago training are arrested on the 62nd Anniversary of the Atomic Bomb being dropped on Hiroshima.
Flowers were attempted to be delivered to the executives of ATK urging them to remember the atrocities of this day and never let it happen again.
A trial date had been set for 2 PM on December 10, 2007 in Hennepin County District Court Southdale, at which time the charges were dismissed.
(images from this action - click here)
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July 31 2007
ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
Nine legal shareholders are not admitted to the meeting. Edina Police had hoped to just remove the individuals from the company's lobby without arresting them. When told we would just return if not cited, the police officer needed to call for back-up. Four AlliantACTION vigilers where able to gain admittance to the meeting.
In a move to discourage our presence, ATK turned on their automatic sprinkling system, but when we inquired about a watering ban, Edina police first gave us the public works department phone number and then directed Public Works to come out and issue either a citation or warning.
A trial date had been set for 2 pm on December 10, 2007 in Hennepin County District Court Southdale, at which time the charges were dismissed.
(images from this action - click here)
June 20 2007
TRANSFORMATION
A former Honeywell employee and his wife are arrested attempting to share with ATK the "Best In the Twin Cities" award AlliantACTION was recently presented by City Pages. Both had planned on leaving the property if requested but were not given the opportunity. An arraignment date was set for December 5, 2007 at which time the defendants asked for a Formal Complaint. Their arraignment date was reset for January 16, 2008 in Hennepin County District Court Southdale, at which time the charges were dismissed.
(images from this action - click here)
October 2 2006
Edina police arrested 78 nonviolent activists at Alliant Techsystems headquarters on the 137th birthday of Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi. 74 were arrested for refusing to leave Alliant's property, three for throwing balls of yarn and one for disorderly conduct.
The group finally came to trial on February 1, 2007. Charges were dropped on 76 of the defendants, including all with 'special charges' and two defendants plead gulity after making a motion to have the charges dismissed. The motion was denied by the Judge. After an appeal file in 2005 was denied, the court, with the agreement of city attorney, sentenced the two defendants to 8 hours of unmonitored community service of their choice.
(images from this action - click here)
August 1 2006
Annual Shareholders Meeting
Edina Police had been called prior to the annual shareholders meeting and were waiting for the nonviolent AlliantACTION members who own stock in the company to arrive. Despite all three having a ticket and invitation sent by ATK, they were denied entry and arrested when they refused to leave.
"When corporations close their annual meeting from legal shareholders, it would indicate they are trying to hide something." – M L Ott, arrested shareholder
A trial date had been set for March 7, 2007, but the charges were dropped the day the trial was scheduled to begin.
Fall 2005
UN Day at ATK - October 24
42 individuals are arrested at ATK's front door attempting to deliver the "book". The action was co-organized with NukeWatch. A trial date of March 14 was set, but when the defendants informed the court they did not plan to stipulate to the facts, forcing the city of Edina to "prove" their case, the presiding judge decided there was not enough time allotted for the case to be heard. He directed the clerk to reschedule the case. Charges were finally dismissed in the fall of 2006.
(images from this action - click here)
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August 8 2005
13 Christian Peacemaker Team members arrested during a mock trial, which indicted ATK for breaking International Law. All were found guilty in a bench trial.
(images from this action - click here)
August 2 2005
Told by ATK that the Annual Shareholders meeting would be the proper place to address company management with our concerns, AlliantACTION members Pepperwolf and Tom Bottolene each buy a single share of stock. They are denied entry to the annual meeting.
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July 13 2005
12 individuals are arrested at ATK's front door attempting to deliver the "book". In the first bench trial under Edina's new ordinance, all are found guilty. Codefendant Bob Burns made a pretrial motion that charges be dismissed due to the illegal passage of Edina's trespass ordinance. The case was appealed to the Minnesota Court of Appeal. The Appeals Court handed down a decision in early 2007 in favor of the Edina trespass ordinance.
(images from this action - click here)
March 14 2005
31 individuals are arrested at ATK's front door attempting to deliver the "book". In court AlliantACTION Vigiler and codefendant Bob Burns moves for dismissal, pointing out the city failed to publish the new law prior to these arrests and the ordinance is not legally enforceable. Charges are dropped.
(images from this action - click here)
March 2005 - Edina changes the trespass ordinance
Acting on the advice of ATK's legal department and the city attorney, the Edina City Council passes their own trespass ordinance. It changes the charge from a misdemeanor to a petty misdemeanor. With the Edina law you are only entitled to a bench trial (in front of a judge). The new ordinance also removed "claim of right" as a defense against the charge of trespass. An appeal is filed against the procedure Edina used to enact the new law by Bob Burns. In February of 2007, the Minnesota State Court of Appeals ruled the ordinance was legally passed.
January 12 2005
Four individuals are arrested at ATK's front door attempting to deliver the "book". Charges were dropped on the day the trial was scheduled to start.
November 3 2004
Four individuals are arrested leafleting vehicles in ATK's parking lot. One plead guilty. Two were convicted under a bench trial. One case was dropped.
August 25 2004
Five individuals are arrested at ATK's front door attempting to deliver the "book"
Charges were dropped on the day the trial was scheduled to start.
(images from this action - click here)
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August 18 2004
Three Duluth Catholic Workers are arrested at ATK's front door pouring symbolic blood on money with the theme "The Poor Can't Eat Your Weapons." Charges were dropped on the day the trial was scheduled to start.
(group image - click here)
July 28 2004
Four individuals are arrested at ATK's front door attempting to deliver the "book". The trial judge was bound to allow them to submit to the jury all the relevant evidence. The defendants were acquitted.
(image and story - click here)
July 21 2004
Five individuals are arrested at ATK's front door attempting to deliver the "book". The trial judge was bound to allow them to submit to the jury all the relevant evidence. The defendants were acquitted.
(image and story - click here)
July 14 2004
On July 14, Bill Barnett, Pepperwolf and Tom Bottolene walked up the driveway and into the lobby of AlliantTechsystems. Upon entering, they requested to see Admiral Paul David Miller, Chairman of ATK.
They had brought with them, for the first time, a document assembled by AlliantACTION entitled "Employee Liabilities of Weapon Manufactures Under International Law" (the "book") with the intention to hand deliver it to one of four corporate officers. When told none were available, the three offered to make an appointment to see any one of the four and were told the only way to make an appointment was by phone. Pepperwolf took out her cell phone and called ATK. The person answering the phone, across the reception desk from Pepperwolf, refused to connect her to Miller's secretary to schedule an appointment.
Edina Police arrive. The three AlliantACTION activists refuse to leave until they have an appointment and are arrested.
The defendants were entitled to a jury trial, but at the request of the court (due to a trial judge shortage that day) agreed to a bench trial. Following some legal sparring between the Judge and the prosecuting attorney, all three were found guilty, thanked for their activism by the court, and sentenced to 8 hours of un-monitored community service of their choice.
• Summer-Fall 2004, Spring-Summer-Fall 2005 - The Gandhian Wave
• Spring 2004
WORLD MEMORIAL DAY - May 31
Over 300 people gathered to REMEMBER the victims of war, VISION a nonviolent future and ACT upon their convictions. Over 30 individuals risked arrest by walking onto Alliant's property and sitting down at their front door. When it became apparent no arrests were going to be made, 200 more "crossed the line" and joined the first group. Because of the holiday, the offices were closed and the act was mostly symbolic. Edina Police declined to make any arrests.
(images from this action - click here)
• Fall 2003
STOP DU - October 18
Six individuals are arrested committing nonviolent civil obedience while attempting to deliver a letter to ATK CEO Paul David Miller demanding to examine ATK's books on DU production. This action is the first to include arrests the day after an acquittal. A jury trial had been scheduled to begin February 19, 2004 but ended before it started when the six defendants were told, after waiting in court three hours, that charges would be dropped.
(images from this action - click here)
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• Spring 2003
International Day to Ban DU - April 2
28 individuals are arrested committing nonviolent civil obedience while attempting to deliver a letter to ATK CEO Paul David Miller asking to examine ATK's books on DU production. 19 activists eventually stand trial and are acquitted by a six person jury on October 17.
(images/media from this action - click here)
(trial images - click here)
• Fall 2002
ATK KILLS for PROFIT - October 16
Five individuals are arrested committing nonviolent civil obedience while outlining their bodies on the road to Alliant's headquarters. The chalk outlines symbolized the victims of Alliant's products marketed around the world. All five are found guilty in Hennepin County District court.
(images/media from this action - click here)
• Spring 2002
SPEAK OUT AGAINST DU MUNITIONS - May 29
Approximately forty individuals gathered at Alliant's front door to Speak Out against the companies past production of depleted uranium munitions and the toxic wastes left at the Twin City Army Ammunition Plant. The event was held in conjunction with the International Day Against Depleted Uranium. Civil Obedience was not committed and no arrests were made.
(images from this action - click here)
• Fall 2001
Who Profit$. Who Dies? - November 7
16 are arrested attempting to plant warning flags at Alliant's new facility. One individual plead guilty at the first arraignment and was sentenced to community service. The remaining 15 went on trial March 25, 2002 and were convicted by a six person jury after deliberating for a little over two hours. Judge E. McKensie sentenced the group to ten days of community service or seven days in jail. Five individuals, including three Sisters of St. Joseph, chose to serve the week in jail. One individual was sentenced to serve 30 days with seven actual days incarcerated and the balance on home monitoring.
(more - click here)
(images from this action - click here)
• ATK moves corporate HQ one mile from Hopkins to Edina in October 2001
• Wednesday, September 12, 2001
The day after the World Trade Center in New York is destroyed, the weekly vigil is held as scheduled. Vigilers have chosen to wear black, line up single file, hold a candle and stand in silence for the hour without signs. Their message that day was standing in opposition to all violent solutions, including the events of September 11. ATK issues a statement saying they are outraged we would hold the vigil considering the current events.
• Spring 2001
Farewell to Arms (in Hopkins) - May 30
Procession from Downtown Hopkins to Alliant's facility (Alliant had announced they would be moving their headquarters to Edina in the fall ). Seeds of Hope are spread and flowers are laid at Alliant's door. 12 are arrested while attempting to block the main entrance. City of Hopkins declines to press charges.
(images from this action - click here)
This was the final direct action at ATK's corporate headquarters in Hopkins and brings the total to 404 arrests since the vigil began in 1996.
The weekly vigil continues at this site until the company moves to their new facility in Edina that fall. For the last couple of months half the vigil is held at the old site and the other half at the new site. The buildings were less than a mile apart.
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• Fall 2000
Day of the Dead - November 1
Procession from Downtown Hopkins to Alliant's facility. Ashes are spread at the main entrance. Civil Disobedience is not performed and no arrests are made.
(images from this action - click here)
• Spring 2000
No More Violence - June 14
On the army's 225th birthday, four individuals lay down at Alliant's front door representing victims of the army's solution to problems. Three individuals, including one minor, outline the victims with red water-based tempera paint, then sit by the victims and wait for the police. The four individuals symbolizing the victims are charged with trespassing and are acquitted in a jury trial. Two of the finger-painters are charged with felony destruction of property (Alliant claims $3,500.00 in damages) and are found guilty in a jury trial. The Judge rules Alliant suffered $890.00 in damages and fines the defendants that amount. Defendants become know as "the finger paint felons".
(images from this action - click here)
• Fall 1999
Committing to Peace Action - November 1
Culminating the four-day Committing to Peace Conference, 65 are arrested for blocking the doors in a nonviolent action that included Dave Dellinger for the second time and his wife Elizabeth Peterson. They are all found guilty in a bench trial and fined $25.00, which is waived by the Judge for time served for the 1 to 4 hours in custody the day of the action.
(images from this action - click here)
• Spring 1999
Surprise! - April 14
28 block the doors for over two hours in the first surprise action at Alliant. All are found guilty in a bench trial and fined $25.00.
• Fall 1998
October 7 & 8
First "AlliantACTION" demonstration, calling for the end of Trident II missile production and to end development of the OICW. This has been the only consecutive two-day action to date. 47 are arrested the first day, and 19 the second. Bill Barnett, Marv Davidov, Joel Kilgour and Tom Bottolene spend the first night in the St. Louis Park City jail. Following the van to find out where they are being taken, a support person was pulled over at gun point by the Hopkins police for following the van. City of Hopkins declines to press charges.
• Spring 1998
ANTI-LANDMINE - May 7
59 are arrested. The day after this demonstration, ATK announces it is no longer producing anti-personnel landmines. Three defendants plead no contest at the first hearing. City of Hopkins drops charges on the rest.
• Fall 1997
Day Without the Pentagon - October 24
This event was held in conjunction with the War Resisters League's National Day Without the Pentagon. As Deb Konechne of the Welfare Rights Committee addressed those gathered, an electrical transformer on a nearby utility pole ironically exploded just as she said the word "bomb". Civil Disobedience is not performed and no arrests are made.
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• Spring 1997
Landmine action based on International Law - April 24
85 activists are arrested and charged with trespass after blocking doors to Alliant. They left hundreds of shoes and crutches at the main entrance symbolizing the victims of landmines. 79 eventually appear in court. Minneapolis attorney Peter Thompson represents the group in the week long trial. They are found not guilty after two days of jury deliberation.
In a pre-trial agreement with the court, the jury was to only consider the eight of the 79 defendants who actually testified. They were to bring in a verdict on each of the eight defendants; if one of the eight was found not guilty, all 79 defendants would then be declared not guilty. Steve Sato of Chicago was the lone defendant found not guilty by the jury.
• Fall 1996
BAN LANDMINES - October 24
First major demonstration at Alliant. Phil Berrigan and Liz McAllister attend. Veterans for Peace perform street theatre. The two main entrances to Alliant are blocked. 39 are arrested and charged with trespassing. 22 of those arrested plead no contest to the charge and are fined $50.00. The remaining 17 of the group are given a bench trial, found guilty and fined $50.00.
• June 1996
Weekly vigil (the Circle) begins.
• Spring 1996
Small group blocks main entrance. No arrests are made.
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Since October 1996, 721 arrests have been made for nonviolent acts of civil resistance at ATK's corporate headquarters. |
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