On Thursday, December 1, the Hancock 38 drone resisters returned to DeWitt Town Court for the verdict in their case involving a symbolic "die-in"
at the main entrance Hancock Air National Guard Base (Mattydale, NY),
protesting the piloting and maintenance of the hunter/killer Reaper
drones at the Base.
Early in his decision, Judge David Gideon stated, "Many issues were
raised that were not heretofore contemplated by this Court on a personal
level; for which this Court personally acknowledges a new and different
understanding, making the decision now before the Court that much more
difficult." After much consideration and several sleepless nights, he
concluded that the defendants were guilty of both "obstructing vehicular
or pedestrian traffic" and "refusing to comply with a lawful order of
the police to disperse."
In their sentencing statements, the activists contested the Judge's
decision, stating that they were duty bound by the Nuremberg Principles,
International Law and the U.S. Constitution to act against drones - the
Principles forbid wars of aggression, attacks on civilians and
extrajudicial assassinations, all actions associated with drone warfare.
Action is urgent since innocents are being murdered every day by drone
attacks. The verdict is indeed in - the drones are illegal.
Most people received a one year conditional discharge, along with a fine
of $250 and $150 court costs and community service. Four people were
given jail time, ranging from four to fifteen days.
The activists are undeterred, vowing to return to the Base, inviting the Judge, prosecutor, other court employees to join them.
The action was sponsored by the Upstate NY Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars, consisting of activists from Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Ithaca, Rochester, Syracuse and Utica.
Read the Judge's decision.Video of the defendant's statements will be available soon.