Nun sentenced to 3 years for breaking into government nuclear facility
February 19, 2014
A nun and two other peace activists have been sentenced to prison for breaking into a national security complex in Tennessee that houses much of the United States’ bomb-grade uranium.
Sister Megan Rice, 84, was sentenced to three years, while Greg Boertje-Obed and Michael Walli received sentences of over five years.
“Please have no leniency with me,” Sister Rice told the judge. “To remain in prison for the rest of my life would be the greatest gift you could give me.”
The Associated Press reported that the activists
cut through three fences before reaching a $548 million storage bunker. They hung banners, strung crime-scene tape and hammered off a small chunk of the fortress-like Highly Enriched Uranium Materials Facility, or HEUMF, inside the most secure part of complex. They painted messages such as, “The fruit of justice is peace,” and splashed baby bottles of human blood on the bunker wall …
Although the protesters set off alarms, they were able to spend more than two hours inside the restricted area before they were caught. When security finally arrived, guards found the three activists singing and offering to break bread with them. The protesters reportedly also offered to share a Bible, candles and white roses with the guards.
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Posted by: chady -
Feb. 20, 2014 10:02 AM ET USA
Handing out three and five year prison sentences 4 criminal trespass? Has the Justice System lost its moral compass..... not to mention common sense? It is becoming apparent that even in a democracy those who stand 4 moral rectitude and are proactive in preserving same are being indiscriminately penalised. Perhaps our Christian action does not extend to such action their reasons 4 it appear to be genuine and sincere. We offer our prayers 4 these 3 activists and that mercy + common sense prevail.
