Approximately 300 people came out on a frigidly cold day, and took part in a ceremony to remind ourselves that in war, innocent people are killed. We "named" the rag doll children we had made to symbolize the real children who will be killed in the probable upcoming war. After the ceremony four of us brought the "children" into the depot's truck exit. We blocked this exit until dark, facing possible (though, it turned out, not actual) arrest.

Following are texts from two newspaper articles about the January 18 action at the Bluegrass Army Depot, one from the Lexington Herald Leader, one from the Richmond Register.

Lexington Herald Leader, Jan 19, 2003

Protest targets Army Depot
Site supplied equipment for '91 war
By John Cheves
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER

RICHMOND - Worried and angry about bloodshed that would result from a war with Iraq, about 130 Kentuckians protested for peace yesterday near a gate at the Blue Grass Army Depot.

Four women sat in front of the chain-link gate for a couple of hours in frigid weather, risking arrest for trespassing on federal property. Army officials monitored the protest from a circling helicopter and nearby van, but they did not arrest anyone.

Some passing drivers honked support and waved; others shouted, "Go back where you came from!"

"So far, I'm seeing more thumbs than middle fingers," said Beth Rosdatter, 42, of Lexington, one of the women blocking the gate.

The Richmond anti-war protest coincided with dozens of others around the world, including a rally in Washington, D.C., that attracted tens of thousands. Signs carried at the gate included "Fight Terrorism: Love Your Enemy," "Jesus Was a Pacifist" and, on plain, brown wrapping paper, "I Couldn't Afford a Real Anti-War Poster, I Just Got Laid Off."

Several protesters said they felt compelled to speak out this weekend against a military strike on Iraq because Monday honors the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. King showed the power of non-violent solutions to problems, they said.

It's sad, they said, that President Bush seems eager to attack Iraq and force Saddam Hussein from power rather than patiently work through the United Nations. If the United States fears Arab-based terrorism now, they warned, wait until hundreds of Iraqis are killed by American bombs.

"Violence begets violence. If you hit somebody, they're going to hit you back," said Mary Caric, 47, of Morehead.

"Instead of bombing Iraq," Caric added, "I'd rather see us put that money toward food and medicine for Iraq and other countries. We're such a wealthy nation. It would be nice to see us use our resources for something other than violence."

The protesters didn't pick their location at random: The Blue Grass Army Depot operated around the clock during the 1991 war with Iraq, shipping 58,117 tons of bombs, bullets, chemical masks, camouflage nets and other equipment to Saudi Arabia.

Yesterday, some Richmond residents stared angrily at the protesters as they waved signs and sang Let There Be Peace on Earth. Dewayne and Donna Williams, who live near the gate, argued with protesters waiting to cross the road and join the group.

"If you people don't want to live in America, get out," Donna Williams, 45, told a protester. "Why don't you to move to Iraq and see what (Saddam Hussein) does to his people before you go protesting for him?"

Many of the protesters agreed Hussein is a dangerous tyrant. But they said Bush hasn't proved that Hussein is responsible for terrorist attacks against the United States, or that he possesses illegal weapons.

In polls, such as a national Knight Ridder poll conducted Jan. 3-6, a majority of Americans say they support Bush, but say the president still hasn't convinced them that an attack on Iraq is necessary.

"Maybe there's something wrong with the motives of our government when two-thirds of the people oppose a war, but the government seems determined to attack, anyway," said Steve Austin, 32, of Richmond.
Reach John Cheves at 231-3495; 1-800-950-6397, Ext. 3495; or jcheves@herald-leader.com .

Richmond Register, January 19, 2003

Demonstrators gather at depot to oppose war against Iraq

By Ronica Brandenburg, Register News Writer
Frigid temperatures did not prevent demonstrators from gathering Saturday at the Blue Grass Army Depot to protest against a possible war with Iraq.
Protesters carried signs using words of opposition to war, sang and passed around “ghost children” — homemade stuffed dolls that represented children in danger of war — during the “Witness of Conscience to Oppose War on Iraq” demonstration at 1:30 p.m. on U.S. 25 near depot property.
The non-violent protest was held by the Central Kentucky Iraq Pledge of Resistance Campaign. Demonstrators received permission from depot personnel to assemble near the property.
The national chapter of IPRC planned anti-war protests across the nation during the Martin Luther King weekend.
This is the first time that the central Kentucky chapter of the IPRC has gathered at the Blue Grass Army Depot, said Janet Futrell, a participant in Saturday’s demonstration.
“The concern here is that the children will die,” Futrell said. “It was mothers who got together and we feel that children are at risk. We’re advocating for a non-violent solution.”
Among those protesting were four women who risked the chance of being arrested for trespassing onto federal property.
In efforts to send a silent, non-violent message, Margie Stelzer, Mary Ann Ghosal, Laura Lindell and Beth Rosdatter stepped onto depot property and sat in front of the truck entrance on U.S. 25 where ammunition is regularly delivered. No federal trespassing charges were pressed.
“We’re just going to let them sit there,” said Dave Easter, public relations officer at the depot. “We don’t want this to be a confrontational thing. We videotaped the demonstration so that we would have evidence in court if someone tried something.”
One day prior to the protest, jeeps lined both sides of U.S. 25.
“We just used the jeeps as a visual deterrent to show that we are taking extra precautions,” Easter said.
While the four women blocking the gate were under the impression there would be an ammunition drop-off Saturday, Easter said there were no scheduled deliveries.
“If for some reason we did need a truck to come in, we would just use another entrance,” he said.
Those who chose to block the truck entrance knew they were trespassing and could possibly be arrested.
“In preparation for this day, I’ve been doing a lot of praying, meditating and legal research,” Stelzer said. “I’m doing this out of my Christian faith. I have children, but I have a wonderful support system who would help me if I were taken to jail and away from my children.”
Lindell [note: this was corrected in the Jan edition of the register--this statement and the following are incorrectly attributed to Laura Lindell, should be Beth Rosdatter] said she has been arrested several times for protesting. Her punishments have included paying fines and doing community service.
“I’m here today because of war,” Lindell [Rosdatter] said. “We don’t feel good about our government killing other people’s children and we’re concerned for our own children as well. It seems like the thing we need to do is reduce the tension.”
Rafael Kennedy, Lindell’s [Rosdatter's] 14-year-old son, said he admires his mother’s courage and dedication.
“I think it’s a really heroic thing for her to do,” he said. “It’s just so depressing and it causes me to think that the nation will never be saved.”
Craig Williams, secretary and treasurer for the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, held a protest sign along with the others.
“Veterans have a unique understanding of war,” he said. “The bottom line is that veterans understand what it’s like to go to war. The case has not been made that Iraq is a threat to the United States, we haven’t gotten there yet. If we do get there and our country is really being threatened then I wouldn’t hesitate to help.”
On the opposite side of the road, one man stood alone holding a sign that read, “We support our troops.”
“It all depends on what side of the gun you’re on,” said John Bolton of Richmond. “Those people over there are a distinct minority, but I’m glad to see them using their freedom. They couldn’t have done this in another country.”
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Story created Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 10:31 PM.

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Feb 15th Witness at Depot

About 100 people came out an stood in the pouring, freezing rain. We tried to listen to some good music, did some chanting, held some really good signs, and then had a funeral, in which we symbolically buried American and Iraqi soldiers and children from both countries. The coffins and a sign that read "This does not have to be" were left blocking the truck gate when we went home.

It seems that nobody wanted to ruin their camera by taking any pictures. If you have any, and wouldn't mind sharing, please contact me!!