A River Between

On May 6, 2007, Greg Boetje-Obed will be released from Sandstone FIC after serving a year-long sentence for the “Weapons of Mass Destruction Plowshares” action that he, Michael Walli, and Karl Cabat performed last year. Dressed as clowns, the three pounded on nuclear missle silos with hammers (an act of “turning swords into plowshares”), poured blood, and hung signs at the fence to the silo, denouncing nuclear weapons as illegal and “sinful.”

During sentencing, each of the men made a statement attesting to the illegality of nuclear weapons under international law, yet the court would not take any such testimony into evidence.

Here’s a quote from an article at www.jonahhouse.org about the courtroom exchange:

Greg’s wife, Michelle Naar Obed, was in the courtroom during this exchange. After the sentencing was over, Michelle shook her head and said, “If Greg had left us his for a year and risked his life to go to war to kill people, no one would question him – they would call him a hero! But, because he risked time in jail to act out his convictions for peace, people question his commitment to his family. That is a tragic.” What does it say about our society that personal sacrifices to go to war to kill people in war are praised, while personal sacrifices for peace are condemned?

Until those interested in peace are willing to make the same sacrifices as those interested in war, peace will not prevail. These three men have proven they are willing to pay the price for peace.

The courage and sacrifice of Greg, Michael, and Karl should inspire us all. I have eaten dinner with Greg and Michael in Duluth, and know Greg’s wife, Michelle and his daughter Rachel, now 12, quite well. My partner Michael volunteered alongside them at the Loves and Fishes Catholic Worker Community in Duluth, where they served meals, housed the poor and homeless, and provided hospitality to those in need.

Today Greg is my hero. He’s a hero for peace.

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