PEOPLE’S ARMS EMBARGO Returns to Travis AFB
Posted: 30th January 2025
Hospitalcide Street Theater, Main Gate
Photo by Mishaa DeGraw: probonophoto.org
Report on January 23 Action:
NO to HOSPITALCIDE, NO to GENOCIDE, NO ARMS to ISRAEL!
- Dramatic Street Theater of “Hospitalcide,” Main Gate
- Peoples Blockade, North Gate: 2 Grandmothers, a Therapist, and a Veteran Arrested
- Nonviolent Human Blockaders Falsely Accused of “Throwing Rocks” & “Breaking Car Windows”
- 3 Support Cars towed: $700×3 to get them back
We are NOT going away!
People’s Blockade at North Gate in Afternoon – 4 Arrested
Photo by Michael Kerr
VIDEOS :
by Franklin Sterling
“Hospitalcide” Gets Underway (9 min)
by J. L Arrests at North Gate (1 min)
Good Media Coverage Here: The Vacaville Reporter and CBS
and KPFA Radio’s Full Circle with Franklin Sterling (at 3:08)
(More media, photos, videos and Final Press Release attached)
Report Back by Toby Blomé and Wynd Kaufmyn
Dramatization of Hospitalcide at Main Gate:
On Thursday morning, January 23, 2025, almost 50 people gathered at Fairfield’s Travis Air Force Base, to protest Travis’s role in shipping U.S. weapons to Israel, aiding in the genocide of the Palestinian people.
“While we rejoice in the current so-called ‘ceasefire’ for Gaza, we recognize that it is only for 6 weeks, and even that is precarious. It must become permanent. Until then, the only way to stop the obscenity and scale of Israeli war crimes in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and beyond is to EMBARGO ALL US MILITARY AID AND WEAPONS SUPPLY TO ISRAEL.”
The “hospitalcide” of Gaza was reenacted with dramatic street theater within sight of the U.S. Air Force’s largest medical facility in the country. Carrying a very large cardboard Kamal Adwan Hospital, demonstrator “patients” in hospital gowns, bandaged body parts, walkers and wheelchairs were accompanied by “nurses and doctors.” All were attacked by “IDF soldiers” carrying large cardboard automatic rifles. Posters with the story of Director Hussam Abu Safiya rounded out the scene to recreate Israel’s Dec. 27 attack on and destruction of the last standing one in Northern Gaza. (Dr. Abu Safiya was arrested and “disappeared” and is thought to be in Israel’s notorious Ofer Military Prison, known for torture and other abuses.) Every time the light turned red for cars, the hospitalcide theater traversed the crosswalk, ending on the other side with “dead” patients and hospital staff and the kidnapping of Dr. Abu Safiya by the IDF soldiers
This horrific scene was recreated for approximately two hours while educational flyers were distributed to accepting drivers stopped at the light. Anti-genocide signs and banners were displayed widely throughout the action, music and song kindled hope and inspiration, and numerous Travis visitors waved and gave sporadic peace signs and supportive horn honks. Vietnam era Veteran, Gerry Condon, organized a Veterans For Peace contingent that particularly addressed messaging, support and outreach needs to military personnel on the base; fostering GI resistance to help demilitarize our society is an added goal. Grass Valley activist, Shirley Osgood, wore a long dress, with hundreds of names of Palestinian infants and babies known to have been killed in the genocide.
Veterans Say: “Active Duty, Guard and Reserves – Tell Congress You Are Opposed to Genocide”
Sharon Fritsch & Shirley Osgood with dress listing names of hundreds of Palestinian babies killed by genocide.
A Call to Conscience and a Call for Accountability, “Prosecute the Commander.”
It was a dramatic and heartfelt action that is sure to have an impact on all that observed it.
People’s Blockade at North Gate:
Later, at about 2pm, a group of 8 activists, along with Franklin Sterling, KPFA’s independent journalist, regrouped at the North Gate to bring our “human blockade” insignia to the base: “If our government won’t stop arming Israel, then we, the people, will stop it ourselves.” Quickly parking our cars, five human blockaders stretched across the two lane Gate Rd to create the “people’s embargo.” Their large banner said, “STOP GENOCIDE”; their signs included: ”PROSECUTE COL. JOHNSON 4 WAR CRIMES” (Travis’ commander) and “NOT ANOTHER BOMB.” A legal observer was present and other support folks.
Tensions rose quickly: Some of the drivers of the blocked cars became aggressive, using their vehicle as weapon to attempt to plow through the human blockade. The blockaders relinquished with the most aggressive drivers, allowing them to pass. They also allowed “special cases” to bypass the blockade (neighbors who live next to the base, people coming for medical appointments, a child being delivered home near the base, etc.)
At one point, an irate man got out of his car, and without warning, grabbed veteran and Veterans For Peace member Michael Kerr by the shoulders near his neck and dragged him sideways to the other side of the street. Luckily Michael was not harmed physically, and stayed calm without escalating the situation, in the spirit of our nonviolent campaign.
Ultimately the blockade held for approximately 45 minutes, at which point about 15 riot police arrived on foot from the base, giving orders to disperse. Three women, Kathie Moon, Shawna Bell and Toby Blomé remained in the blockade to continue to “put our bodies between U.S. weapons and the people of Gaza.” All three, two grandmothers and a therapist, were handcuffed and boarded onto a police van.
Shortly thereafter, Michael Kerr, acting only as a support person, was also handcuffed and boarded onto the police van because a driver (the same one who assaulted him earlier?) reported to the police that Michael had been throwing rocks. Thankfully, a short while later the false claimer recanted on his statement and Michael was released. Maybe he realized that the entire scene was captured on video?
The remaining arrestees were taken to Fairfield Jail and booked with two charges: Disobeying an order and jay walking. After almost eight hours they were cited and released at 11:00 PM. Our faithful jail support person, Fred Bialy, was ready to greet us. All three have orders to appear in court on March 20.
Thus far, the many dozens who have been arrested at Travis in ongoing anti-genocide protests since December 2023 have all had their charges dismissed, with all scheduled court hearings cancelled.
3 Cars Towed and the Vindictiveness of the Fairfield Police Department:
After the blockade, the Fairfield police (illegally) prevented the three remaining support folks from retrieving their cars for 30 minutes until three tow trucks arrived to tow their cars away. The cars were parked on the side of the road with (newly installed?) inconspicuous no parking signs. In previous actions we had parked in the same area without incident, despite dozens of police present.
Using Uber to get to the police station, the vehicle owners had to pay $700 each in total fees to get their cars back! Please support GoFundMe Fundraiser to support them. We will have our day in court with the Fairfield Police.
In addition, Wynd received a call from a reporter at Bay City News Service who told her that the Fairfield police had issued a press release that claimed the protestors were violent, threw rocks, and broke the windshield of a car. Wynd corrected the false information, and the reporter published a more balanced article. Sadly, early news reports emphasized the false claims of violence by activists.
A legal observer present noted that many of the drivers trying to get into the base at the site of the blockade were the most aggressive they had ever seen.
David Solnit, well-known artist-activist who has contributed impactful visuals to our campaign, declared, “No good deed goes unpunished.”
We are reminded of Mahatma Gandhi’s famous words:
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they will fight you, and then you win.”
They are fighting us now. We will not back down.
But we need more to succeed. Please join our campaign!
Huge Gratitude from the People’s Arms Embargo to Everyone who contributed in large and small ways!!!
MORE PHOTOS & VIDEOS:
Dramatization of Hospitalcide at Main Gate by Mishaa DeGraw of ProBonoPhoto.org
Michael Kerr’s Photos and Videos
Food to Gaza Not Weapons to Israel (30 sec)
Post-action Interview of Protesters by Franklin Sterling:
MORE MEDIA COVERAGE:
Protesters demonstrate outside of Travis Air Force Base
Fairfield police arrest 3 at Travis Air Force Base protest over rock-throwing claims
Anti-Israel protesters to target Travis AFB, again
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1047862667379294&id=100064667117686&_rdr
Bay Area Peace Activists Plan Rally/Protest Outside Travis AFB in Fairfield
Another Reason to Protest at Travis Air Force Base: Deadly chemical contamination:
https://www.militarypoisons.org/latest-news/another-reason-to-protest-at-travis-air-force-base
*
FINAL PRESS RELEASE
UPDATE * UPDATE * UPDATE – URGENT NEWS ADVISORY
Jan. 24, 2025 – Friday
Contact:
For info at North Gate “Human Blockade”: Toby Blomé – [email protected]. 510-501-5412
For info at Main Gate “Hospitalcide”: Wynd – [email protected] 510 714-8687
UPDATE: 3 Arrested in Anti-Genocide Coalition Protest at Travis AFB to Block US Weapons Supply to Israel; “Hospitalcide” dramatized at Main Gate
FAIRFIELD/TRAVIS AFB – On Thursday, scores of demonstrators delivered an impactful 2-phased anti-genocide protest at Travis AFB to “nonviolently block the supply chain of weapons going to Israel.” Three activists with the “People’s Arms Embargo” campaign were arrested at the North Gate in the afternoon during a nonviolent “human blockade” of the entrance road. Earlier in the morning dozens participated in repeated “Hospitalcide” dramatizations in the crosswalk, while base personnel were stopped at red lights. On Nov. 20, 2024 similar Travis AFB blockades at all four entrances resulted in 23 arrests; all charges have since been dismissed.
* Photos/video of “Hospitalcide”: https://www.probonophoto.org/2025/23Jan25TravisArmsEmbargo
Videos of Human Blockade: https://we.tl/t-9zYTDmyR1j
Photos of Human Blockade: https://we.tl/t-wSCkK2Rfu8
Demonstrators Thursday were dramatizing the “hospitalicide” of Gaza made possible by U.S. bombs. In particular, Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last functioning hospital in the North, was destroyed by Israel in late December 2024. The director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, is still missing and believed to be detained at Israel’s notorious Ofer Military Prison in the West Bank, known for torture and other abuses.
At the North Gate, after a 45 min. “human blockade” with banners and signs, about 2 dozen Fairfield police arrived on foot and in riot gear and arrested the three women, including two grandmothers, who all stayed in the roadway after dispersal orders were delivered. All three were taken to the Fairfield jail and booked, then later cited and released at 11pm.
Arrestee and grandmother Kathie Moon stated, “Since October 7, 2023, in a grossly disproportionate response to the killing and kidnapping of over 1200 people, Israel has killed over 50,000 Palestinians, approximately 70% have been women and children. Israel has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity including intentional starvation of civilians, withholding humanitarian aid, intentionally directing attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and medical personnel. I am protesting U.S. weapons contributing to this genocide.”
During the human blockade some of the drivers detained in the blockade got very aggressive with their vehicles, but luckily no protesters were harmed. At one point, one driver got out of his car and grabbed veteran Michael Kerr from behind, while he was standing calmly with his Veterans For Peace flag, literally dragging him across the street. Later, another person falsely reported to the police that protesters were “throwing rocks,” when not a single rock was thrown. Michael Kerr was briefly handcuffed and arrested, but later released after the accuser dropped his complaint. The People’s Arms Embargo is committed to the principles of nonviolence in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr.; noteworthy is that not a single military police arrived to the scene to intervene in the aggressive behavior witnessed by protesters, though MP’s were nearby.
After the arrests, 3 “support protesters” were attempting to leave the scene, but police physically blocked them from retrieving their parked vehicles for 30 min, until tow trucks arrived to remove all 3 cars from the scene. Each owner had to pay $700 dollars to retrieve their vehicles, using Uber to do so. None of the protesters were aware of the recently posted no parking signs, having parked there in numerous previous protests.
Organizers are stating, “Although we rejoice in the pending ceasefire in Gaza, we recognize that it is only for 6 weeks, and even that is precarious. We hope it will become permanent. However, the only way to stop the obscenity and scale of Israeli war crimes in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and beyond is to EMBARGO ALL US MILITARY AID AND WEAPONS SUPPLY TO ISRAEL.”
“The People’s Arms Embargo will continue to organize nonviolent actions at Travis until our tax dollars are spent on human needs and the weapons supply chain from Travis to Israel is broken. We desire peace with justice and equality for all from every river to every sea.”
The coalition added, “We are initially targeting Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield California because it is the largest AFB in the country and an important transport base. We have concrete evidence that in October-December 2023, there were planes clearly labeled as coming from Travis AFB that delivered weapons to Israel.
“We also have documented Facebook postings from servicemen on the base boasting of sending these weapons. Although these shipments have become much harder to track, we have no reason to believe they have stopped. In fact, when base personnel are asked, they evade the question, without answering.
Gerry Condon of Veterans For Peace, a co-sponsor of the coalition, said “If our government won’t stop arming Israel, then we, the people, will stop it ourselves.” In February of 2024 Veterans For Peace filed a letter of grievances to the State Dept. Inspector General outlining the U.S. federal laws being violated by U.S. complicity in the Israel’s genocide.
The People’s Arms Embargo is a growing coalition of currently 25 sponsors and endorsers.
END