Further information:

-The statement of the Earth and Space Plowshares II

- Brief Biographies of the Sisters

-Listen to Democracy Now!'s coverage of the Sacred Earth and Space Plowshares 2

-Watch an interview with Carol, Jackie, and Ardeth On CH9 News

Ardeth Platte O.P. Sentencing Statement

Carol Gilbert O.P. Sentencing Statement

Jackie Hudson O.P.  Sentencing Statement

The Following News Links are borrowed with much appreciation from the Grand Rapid Dominicans website:

Most Rev. Wilton D. Gregory, "Blessed are the Peacemakers": Reflections on Two Anniversaries, USCCB, 4 Aug 2003

Jinah Kim, Peace activist nuns sentenced, 9NEWS KUSA-TV, 28 July 2003

Judith Hilbing Reports on the Sentencing of the Three Sisters, 27 July 2003

Hundreds Continue Nuns' War Protest, The Associated Press, 26 July 2003

Prayer Service, Prayerful Presence, Grand Rapids Dominicans, 26 July 2003

Anti-War Nuns Face Six Years Behind Bars, EarthLink, 25 July 2003

Charles Honey, Nuns say prison won't kill their spirit of protest, The Grand Rapids Press, 24 July 2003

Eric Gorski, God's work facing man's judgment, Denver Post, 20 July 2003

Jim Spencer, Locking up nuns makes sense to none, Denver Post, 17 July 2003

Daniel Ruth, Government Hammers Sisters Of The Blessed Ball-Peened, Tampa Tribune, 25 May 2003

Stephanie Desmon, With the courage of their convictions, Baltimore Sun, 29 May 2003

Chryss Cada, Three nuns and a test for civil disobedience, Boston Globe, 27 May 2003

Evelyn Nieves, For Three Nuns, A Prairie Protest And a Price to Pay, Washington Post, 21 May 2003

Jeannie Piper, Imprisoned nuns free until sentencing, 9NEWS KUSA-TV, 30 April 2003

Request FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Message, Sr. Jackie Hudson OP, 24 April 2003

Morgan Jarema, Local Dominicans admire convicted nuns' integrity, The Grand Rapids Press, 19 April 200

Message, Sue Ablao, 18 April 2003

Message, Anabel Dwyer, 14 April 2003

Message, Sr. Mary Brigid Clingman OP, 7 April 2003

Editorial, Nuns' case calls for mercy, Denver Post, 10 April 2003

Mike McPhee and Kieran Nicholson, 3 nuns guilty in silo protest, Denver Post, 8 April 2003

Diane Carman, Nuns' faith finds chink in U.S. armor, Denver Post, 5 April 2003

Charlie Brennan, Jailed nuns peacefully puzzle officials, Rocky Mountain News, 4 December 2002

Sacred Earth and Space Activists Arraigned in Court Today; Trial Date Set, Domimincan Life, 24 October 2002

Three Sisters from Sacred Earth and Space Plowshares Arrested at N-8 Missile Silo Near Greeley, 7 October 2002

Howard Pankratz, Nuns' defense arguments in silo raid barred, Denver Post, 26 March 2003

Jennifer Stanley, Nuns say raiding missile site was their lawful duty, Greenly Tribune, 22 February 2003

Charlie Brennan, Pacifist nuns prepare for federal trial, Rocky Mountain News, 22 February 2003

Charlie Brennan, A force of habits: Nuns raid silo site, Rocky Mountain News, 4 December 2002

SACRED EARTH AND SPACE PLOWSHARES II

On October 6, 2002, at 7:30 a.m., three Roman Catholic Dominican Sisters and members of the Sacred Earth and Space Plowshares action in 2001, Carol Gilbert, Jackie Hudson and Ardeth Platte, entered Minuteman missile silo site N-8 near Greeley, Colorado. Wearing white mop-up suits which said Disarmament Specialists and Citizens Weapons Inspection Team, they cut through two gates and entered the silo area. They hammered on the tracks used for the silo lids to open and on the silo itself. They also used their blood to make the sign of the cross on the tracks and on the silo. They then began defencing--cutting through the fence in three places. They concluded the witness with a liturgy.

By 8:30 a.m. military personnel arrived in humvees with machine guns pointed at them and they were placed under arrest. They were then taken to the Women's Detention Center in Greeley. They appeared in state court the next day and were charged with destruction of property--this charge was dropped when their case was transferred to federal court. On October 16, 2002, they appeared in Denver Federal Court and were initially charged with destruction of government property. Although she did not participate in the action due to her peace-work in Hebron with the Christian Peacemaker Team, Sr. Anne Montgomery signed the action statement.

In their statement they declared: We, women religious, come to Colorado to unmask the false religion and worship of national security so evident at Buckley AFB, in Aurora, the Missile Silos, and in Colorado Springs: Schreiver AFB (the Space Warfare Center), the Air Force Space Command Center at Peterson AFB, Cheyenne Mountain (NORAD) and the Air Force Academy. We reject the mission of these along with the US Space Command and Stratcom in Omaha, Nebraska...We act in the many names of God the Compassionate, ar-Rahim: our Life, our Peace, our Healer to transform swords into plowshares, our violence and greed into care for the whole community of earth and sky, not as masters but as servants and friends.

On October 24, they were arraigned in federal court in Denver and were given two charges: "Injury/Obstruction of National Defense of the US" which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, and Injury to Government Property of the US which carries a 10 year sentence and $250,000 fine.

Prior to  trial, Judge Robert Blackburn denied the defendants pre-trial motions, one of which asked for a dismissal based on the legality of their actions under International Law. The Judge granted an in limine motion by the prosecutor, prohibiting the sisters from speaking about the moral and legal justification for their actions.

On April 7 a Denver jury found Sr. Carol Gilbert, Sr. Ardeth Platte and Sr. Jackie Hudson guilty of "interference, injury or obstruction" of National Defense materials and "depredation of government property" in excess of $1000.

Despite the courts attempts to suppress the truth of the action, the sisters' true motive and intent could not be concealed. At certain points in the trial they were able to powerfully convey the spirit of their witness.

During the government's case, an Air Force officer testified that the cutting of the perimeter fence, the pouring of blood and the minor hammering on a steel rail had not damaged the missile, its warhead or its mission. The part of the fence that the Air Force replaced was already in stock. Regular Air Force personnel quickly repaired it. Strictly on the merits of the law there is no way the sisters were guilty.

The government's fabrication of the charges and the judge's misguided interpretation of the law ultimately resulted in their conviction. In the end, the jury felt bound by the law rather than by their hearts, to return a guilty verdict. Motions for a mistrial, a new trial and acquittal were denied. After spending 22 days in jail and facing long prison sentences, they were released April 30 on personal recognizance until their sentencing date.

On July 25, with several hundred supporters on hand, they were sentenced in Federal Court in Denver. Acknowledging the sisters’ community service contributions, the worldwide support they received and other mitigating circumstances, Judge Blackburn gave them an eight point downward departure in the sentencing guidelines. They were given the following prison sentences: Sr. Ardeth--41 months; Sr. Carol--33 months and Sr. Jackie--30 months. They were also given 3 years probation, ordered to pay $3,080.04 in restitution at a rate of $86 per month during their supervised release, and given a $200 special assessment.

Prison Addresses

Sr. Carol Gilbert 10856-039

FPC Alderson, R-1

Box A

Alderson, W. VA 24910

Sr. Ardeth Platte 10857-039

Danbury FCI

Rte. 37

Danbury, CT 06811

Sr. Jackie Hudson 08808-039

FCI Victorville

Box 5400

Adelanto, CA 92301