Citizen Inspections: PROJECT E.L.F.

(reprinted from the newsletter of Laurentian Shield Resources for Nonviolence)

In a trial April 24 in Ashland, Wisconsin, typical for its exclusion of all germane law, reason and spiritual examination, the remaining four members of the International Citizens' Inspection Team (ICIT) were adjudged guilty.  All have 60 days in which to pay the $181 forfeiture or face an unknown amount of jail time.

On January 18, the first Citizens' Inspection Team to attempt to inspect for weaponry of mass destruction in the U.S.was stopped and cited at the U.S. Navy'sProject ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) transmitter compound.  The team, comprising a trained group of 21 nonviolent resisters from across the U.S. and Canada, carried a substantial packet of documentation asserting both the nature of the ELF/Trident facility and their right and responsibility to inspect it.  ICIT member Elizabeth Post made numerous attempts to introduce packet material and finally succeeded as part of an offer of proof which the judge then called irrelevant.

The nonviolent action, inspired by a year of similar attempts in several European nations and Australia, was made at the conclusion of a weekend of nonviolent training in the spirit and memory of Dr. Martin Luther King.  Team member Robert Cornett, in his closing statement in court, said that he was confident that, had King lived, he would have supported the ICIT and might well have been "out there with us, inspecting the illegal ELF/Trident facility."

The International Court of Justice returned a report filed by the ICIT with the note that their mandate prohibits action on matters brought by NGOs.  Team members are exploring options for further legal and direct action.

For more information.contact  Laurentian Shield Resources for Nonviolence, 12833E Hwy 13, Maple WI 54854 (715)364-8533, e-mail: laurentiannv@igc.org

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last updated July 10 1998