Thanks to Mary Gleysteen for this report on Michael “Firefly” Siptroth’s recent court hearing. The hearing occurred too late to include in the July 2022 Ground Zero Newsletter, where you can read statements from others who joined Michael in blockading the Trident submarine base this past Mother’s Day weekend.
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Michael Firefly Siptroth appeared in Kitsap County District Court July 5, 2022, for a mitigation hearing arising from his part in blocking the roadway to the Trident Submarine Base at Bangor during the Mothers Day action on May 7.
Michael “Firefly” Siptroth reading his statement to the judge.
Judge Pro Tem Robert Davy participated via zoom and explained to those seeking mitigation that they were in court to seek a “price concession” with respect to the fine imposed for an offense to which they admitted having committed. He indicated that his judgment would be based on the defendant’s driving history, the police report and whether or not the officer who issued the citation had already shown leniency for the offense.
Judge Davy’s demeanor toward Firefly seemed more confrontational than it had been to those seeking deferral of their cases. The judge announced that the $68 fine was low already and that it would be unlikely he could do any thing more.
Firefly began to read his statement and was advised by the judge to keep the issues raised relevant to the charge against him. The judge further interrupted Firefly to complain that his description of the gates of the Trident base as being criminally negligent lacked a verb and again requested relevance to the charges. Firefly raised his Nuremburg obligations which required him to help stop the base from continuing to violate international law.
The judge interrupted again to ask if his action was intentional and declared, “I have not heard you are unable to pay the fine. My decision is not a comment on your activities. At this time you will be required to pay the full amount.” He then asked Firefly for a response and Firefly called upon the judge to uphold international law. The judge declined stating that this court is one of limited jurisdiction.
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Michael’s Statement to the Court
The United States first used nuclear weapons against civilians which is against international law; the terrible consequences are still felt. As we approach this horrible anniversary, August 6 & 9, we must come to reason and join the United Nations’s Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which the majority of countries have signed and is now Law! We can hardly tell other countries not to produce weapons, when we still are making new ones.
In 1970, 191 nations ratified the Nonproliferation treaty. In Article 6, our government pledged to negotiate a treaty on complete nuclear disarmament. To our shame, the US has not signed the TPNW!
Nuclear weapons have not deterred other countries from developing them, nor from invading other countries, such as Ukraine; in fact the US and other allies have limited our response, fearing Russia’s nuclear weapons, and thus tens of thousands have been killed and millions become refugees. Nuclear weapons ARE a THREAT to Humanity and our EARTH!!
Fighting the Climate Catastrophe should be the US’s priority, but instead we keep producing weapons of mass destruction at $100 billion a year; trillions since we first used them! While millions are homeless, green energy is lagging, healthcare is out of reach for millions domestically and worldwide, education is lacking, and billions are globally food insecure; this does not have to be the reality! We can do better!
Our legislators, administrators, and judges must uphold International Law = Abolish ALL Nuclear Weapons and get on with saving humanity, all species, and our very own Earth!
As a citizen of the US, I am obligated by the Nuremberg Principles to stop my government from making, deploying, and using weapons of mass destruction. I contact my representatives, speak out at public forums, and hold banners, plus vote. I stood in front of the Kitsap Naval Base/Bangor Submarine headquarters, to do my part to uphold international law. I call upon my fellow citizens and members of the Judiciary to do the same!
In Peace, with justice for ALL, and Deep Caring for Our Earth,
Michael Siptroth
