*Come to Las Vegas January 30-February 1 to be a part of a newly-named grassroots movement in the West: the Western Methodist Justice Movement. The movement has sprung from a group of Western Jurisdiction United Methodists inspired by the inclusive, welcoming, and prophetic statements and actions of the United Methodist Western Jurisdiction Conference. The movement is committed to working for social justice throughout the Jurisdiction and beyond.

*Come to Las Vegas to be inspired by special speaker Kuusela Hilo, an "activist's activist," Stanford graduate, curriculum developer, Filipino advocate for human rights in the Philippines and the US, and an organizer for United Nurses Associations, SEIU, Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, South of Market Community Action Network and Filipino Bayanihan Resource Center. Many believe that the recent presidential election may, at last, move immigration to a front-burner of legislative action. Kuusela will bring her real-life experience and professional expertise to a discussion of concrete ways we might be a positive part of this critical social justice issue.

*Come to Las Vegas to network with other activists passionate about extending the extravagant hospitality, diversity, and Biblical obedience of the West. All of the action groups established at the July meeting in San Diego will have a chance to reassemble and plan their next steps of prophetic action. Come find the ministry which calls out your passion!

The meeting will be held at University United Methodist Church, 4412 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, and precedes the Western Jurisdiction Leadership Team meeting and the Inter-Ethnic Coordinating Committee. Cost Cost is $40; youth and young adults are free! Many are staying at Tuscany Suites. Contact Registrar for help finding roommates and possibilities for reduced rate housing on first come/first served basis. Visit the web site for more complete information.

Sharon Delgado, a United Methodist clergywoman in the California-Nevada Annual Conference, faced arraignment in federal court on January 8 with eight other peace activists who were arrested on trespassing charges at Beale Air Force Base in October during an anti-drone protest.  Charges were dropped against four of the co-defendants, including veteran Barry Binks, Code Pink member Toby Blome, Fr. Louie Vitale, and peace activist MacGregor Eddy, who had entered Beale by a side gate.  The charges still stand against Sharon Delgado, Shirley Osgood, Janie Kesselman, and David and Jan Hartsough, all veteran peace activists. 

 

Lawyers entered "not guilty" pleas on behalf of the remaining defendants.  Rev. Delgado said, "I chose to plead 'not guilty' by reason of necessity; that is, I acted in order to prevent a greater harm from taking place."  

 

Rev. Delgado explains her motivation for taking part in this action and gives updates on the case's progression on her blog. She writes, "I took this action because I am convinced that the use of drones for targeted assassinations is immoral and illegal and that their use threatens us all.  Now is the time to stop the new drone arms race in its tracks.  This act of nonviolent direct action at Beale was my way of witnessing to my hope that 'another world is possible,' a world based not on domination and violence, but on peace, justice, and environmental healing. My 'no' of resistance is based on a 'yes' of faith."

 

The trial of the remaining five defendants is scheduled for April 15, Tax Day, which Rev. Delgado says is "the perfect day for this trial.  Beale is the home of Global Hawk Drones, which are used for surveillance and for targeting of weaponized drones.  According to the New York Times, the Air Force's Global Hawk program costs $12 billion; the estimated cost for one of these drones is $218 million.  The Navy is on board with its own version of the program, for an estimated $11 billion.  That's where our money goes."

Justice in the News   

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