Qwest Action 2008

Woman, 89, and 7 Others Arrested at Qwest Center

Eight peace makers were arrested about noon, Wednesday, October 8, 2008, at the Qwest Convention Center in Omaha. Midwest Catholic Workers and their friends were charged with "Failure to Leave" while they were participating in a "Die-In" the Qwest Center, where a space weapons show was being held. Among those arrested was long-time peace activist Peg Gallagher who will turned 90 October 15, 2008.

Omaha-area activists who were arrested and released include: Peg Gallagher, 89; Kathy J. Peterson; 54, Mark Kenney, 51; and Jerry Ebner (Omaha Catholic Worker), 58.

Also arrested were: Frank Cordaro, 57, Des Moines Catholic Worker; Greg Boertje, 53, Duluth, Minnesota, Catholic Worker; Michael Walli, 60, Duluth, Minnesota, Catholic Worker; and Steve Jacobs, 53, Columbia, Missouri, Catholic Worker.

In the action, the group held a rally, shared reflections, and read a prepared statement. Then nine of the participants lay down near the entrance to the Qwest Center to symbolize the thousands of people who die each year at the hands of the rampant global militarization. STRATCom continues to be a primary, international promoter of space weaponry. After a thirty-minute "Die-In" outside, they proceeded through the conference center doors and repeated the action inside, where seven who refused to leave they were arrested.

Those participating in the "Die-In" said their principal reason for being there was to "expose the lie of legitimacy given by the City of Omaha and the Qwest Convention Center to the 2008 Strategic Space and Defense Conference and to name this an unholy alliance which can only end in global death and destruction."

The group also wanted to draw attention to the United Nations' "Prevent an Arms Race in Outer Space" (PAROS) resolution that is currently opposed by only two nations--the United States and Israel. They emphatically pledged to return each year in the future as long as STRATCom's Space Weapons Bazaar, (officially named the "Strategic Space and Defense 2008 Conference") continues to be held in Omaha.

Slide Show of the Action by Jason McGuire

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31114835@N03/sets/72157607863341047/show/

Statement Read at the Die-In

Click here.

Press Coverage and Other Links

Eight anti-war protesters arrested in Omaha
By VIRGIL LARSON
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10454269

Omaha: Eight Catholic Workers Arrested

at Qwest Center

http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20081009165157949

Midwest Catholic Workers:

Eight arrested during demonstration

http://iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=138480