Comments on: The Sept. 1, 1987 Tragedy at Concord, CA Naval Weapons Station (CNWS) http://www.brianwillson.com/the-sept-1-1987-tragedy-at-concord-ca-naval-weapons-station-cnws/ We are not worth more, they are not worth less. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:53:56 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Marjorie Swann Edwin http://www.brianwillson.com/the-sept-1-1987-tragedy-at-concord-ca-naval-weapons-station-cnws/comment-page-1/#comment-477 Marjorie Swann Edwin Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:35:29 +0000 http://www.brianwillson.com/wordpress/?page_id=84#comment-477 Recently I heard Brian speak while he was on tour, near Santa Cruz, and I have almost finished his book. Having been an activist for 77 years, I of course knew about the actions at Concord, both during the Vietnam War and more recently. I am tremendously impressed, not only by what Brian did and suffered, but by his continuing activism. Many soldiers in Vietnam also suffered deeply from their experiences, but too few have continued the struggle against imperialism and injustice as he has -- though I know many have, and many veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are joining in the struggle. WHEN are we going to learn that war is not only brutal, but also ineffective and unnecessary? How many more people in other countries have to suffer and die before we in the U.S. learn to live and work peacefully with our fellow human beings for the well-being of all? I am 90 and don't have much longer to go, but I am grateful for all the younger people who are trying to make a difference and put a stop to the absolute senselessness of war and military power. Thank you -- all of you who are taking up the struggle. And thank you, Brian. Marjorie Swann Edwin Recently I heard Brian speak while he was on tour, near Santa Cruz, and I have almost finished his book. Having been an activist for 77 years, I of course knew about the actions at Concord, both during the Vietnam War and more recently.
I am tremendously impressed, not only by what Brian did and suffered, but by his continuing activism. Many soldiers in Vietnam also suffered deeply from their experiences, but too few have continued the struggle against imperialism and injustice as he has — though I know many have, and many veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are joining in the struggle. WHEN are we going to learn that war is not only brutal, but also ineffective and unnecessary? How many more people in other countries have to suffer and die before we in the U.S. learn to live and work peacefully with our fellow human beings for the well-being of all? I am 90 and don’t have much longer to go, but I am grateful for all the younger people who are trying to make a difference and put a stop to the absolute senselessness of war and military power. Thank you — all of you who are taking up the struggle. And thank you, Brian. Marjorie Swann Edwin

]]> By: ‘We are not worth more, they are not worth less’ / Waging Nonviolence - People-Powered News and Analysis http://www.brianwillson.com/the-sept-1-1987-tragedy-at-concord-ca-naval-weapons-station-cnws/comment-page-1/#comment-474 ‘We are not worth more, they are not worth less’ / Waging Nonviolence - People-Powered News and Analysis Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:12:28 +0000 http://www.brianwillson.com/wordpress/?page_id=84#comment-474 [...] Brian’s autobiography details the aftermath of the Concord attack, including his activism, his own inner and outer growth, his comprehensive and embodied choices to live simply (on this recent book tour, for example, he traveled by pedaling a special bicycle that uses his hands instead of his feet), and his thoroughgoing critique of the American Way of Life (AWOL). (Less than three months after being run down by the train, Brian testified in Congress about this event. You can read his engrossing testimony here.) [...] [...] Brian’s autobiography details the aftermath of the Concord attack, including his activism, his own inner and outer growth, his comprehensive and embodied choices to live simply (on this recent book tour, for example, he traveled by pedaling a special bicycle that uses his hands instead of his feet), and his thoroughgoing critique of the American Way of Life (AWOL). (Less than three months after being run down by the train, Brian testified in Congress about this event. You can read his engrossing testimony here.) [...]

]]> By: “We are not worth more, they are not worth less” / Waging Nonviolence - People-Powered News and Analysis http://www.brianwillson.com/the-sept-1-1987-tragedy-at-concord-ca-naval-weapons-station-cnws/comment-page-1/#comment-473 “We are not worth more, they are not worth less” / Waging Nonviolence - People-Powered News and Analysis Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:07:51 +0000 http://www.brianwillson.com/wordpress/?page_id=84#comment-473 [...] Brian’s autobiography details the aftermath of the Concord attack, including his activism, his own inner and outer growth, his comprehensive and embodied choices to live simply (on this recent book tour, for example, he traveled by pedaling a special bicycle that uses his hands instead of his feet), and his thoroughgoing critique of the American Way of Life (AWOL). (Less than three months after being run down by the train, Brian testified in Congress about this event. You can read his engrossing testimony here.) [...] [...] Brian’s autobiography details the aftermath of the Concord attack, including his activism, his own inner and outer growth, his comprehensive and embodied choices to live simply (on this recent book tour, for example, he traveled by pedaling a special bicycle that uses his hands instead of his feet), and his thoroughgoing critique of the American Way of Life (AWOL). (Less than three months after being run down by the train, Brian testified in Congress about this event. You can read his engrossing testimony here.) [...]

]]> By: joe http://www.brianwillson.com/the-sept-1-1987-tragedy-at-concord-ca-naval-weapons-station-cnws/comment-page-1/#comment-212 joe Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:44:17 +0000 http://www.brianwillson.com/wordpress/?page_id=84#comment-212 I want to see the video from Sept. 1, 1987. I can not find it. Where can I see it? I want to see the video from Sept. 1, 1987. I can not find it. Where can I see it?

]]> By: Brian Willson http://www.brianwillson.com/the-sept-1-1987-tragedy-at-concord-ca-naval-weapons-station-cnws/comment-page-1/#comment-205 Brian Willson Sat, 09 Oct 2010 21:41:41 +0000 http://www.brianwillson.com/wordpress/?page_id=84#comment-205 @Former Marine. (1) Who briefed you that there was going to be a "Hijack?" That is key. (2) Our letter to base commander identified exactly what was being planned and asked for a meeting in advance to explain why we were doing nonviolent civil disobedience. No one ever mentioned or even thought of a hijack. That idea originated with military personnel who apparently wanted an excuse to to assassinate us. (3) Concord at the time had more 350 armed Marines as part of their security force, some of them standing within a few feet of our vigil on September 1, 1987. They did nothing to either stop the train speeding more than 3 times its legal speed limit, nor to remove our very peaceful block. The regulations for removing obstacles on tracks - stalled cars, drunks, cows, etc.,is well established. One does not take chances with colliding with objects, people or no, located on the tracks due to possibility of a major explosion endangering everybody in the vicinity. (4) Freedom of speech is supposed to be protected, not murdered. (5) I am a former Captain who served as a military commander of heavily armed installations, including in combat zones, and know exactly the protocols in place to safeguard dangerous cargo, as well as to safeguard personnel, military and civilians alike, from moving dangerous cargo that could explode. (6) The official navy investigation concluded that the train was speeding more than 3 times the speed limit, that NO braking was ever applied (only open throttle), that the crew could see us for 650 feet, and that the chain of command was fully apprised of our intentions which was a simple unarmed blockade consistent with historical principles of USAmerican civil disobedience. (7) The train crew, the marines standing idly by, the commander and his chain of command, should have been prosecuted for attempted to murder, accessory to an attempt, and if convicted, given dishonorable discharges. I would very much like to learn who described our efforts as a hijack. Ridiculous. Just like it was in Soviet Russia. @Former Marine.
(1) Who briefed you that there was going to be a “Hijack?” That is key.
(2) Our letter to base commander identified exactly what was being planned and asked for a meeting in advance to explain why we were doing nonviolent civil disobedience. No one ever mentioned or even thought of a hijack. That idea originated with military personnel who apparently wanted an excuse to to assassinate us.
(3) Concord at the time had more 350 armed Marines as part of their security force, some of them standing within a few feet of our vigil on September 1, 1987. They did nothing to either stop the train speeding more than 3 times its legal speed limit, nor to remove our very peaceful block. The regulations for removing obstacles on tracks – stalled cars, drunks, cows, etc.,is well established. One does not take chances with colliding with objects, people or no, located on the tracks due to possibility of a major explosion endangering everybody in the vicinity.
(4) Freedom of speech is supposed to be protected, not murdered.
(5) I am a former Captain who served as a military commander of heavily armed installations, including in combat zones, and know exactly the protocols in place to safeguard dangerous cargo, as well as to safeguard personnel, military and civilians alike, from moving dangerous cargo that could explode.
(6) The official navy investigation concluded that the train was speeding more than 3 times the speed limit, that NO braking was ever applied (only open throttle), that the crew could see us for 650 feet, and that the chain of command was fully apprised of our intentions which was a simple unarmed blockade consistent with historical principles of USAmerican civil disobedience.
(7) The train crew, the marines standing idly by, the commander and his chain of command, should have been prosecuted for attempted to murder, accessory to an attempt, and if convicted, given dishonorable discharges.

I would very much like to learn who described our efforts as a hijack. Ridiculous. Just like it was in Soviet Russia.

]]> By: former marine at concord http://www.brianwillson.com/the-sept-1-1987-tragedy-at-concord-ca-naval-weapons-station-cnws/comment-page-1/#comment-204 former marine at concord Sat, 09 Oct 2010 20:44:21 +0000 http://www.brianwillson.com/wordpress/?page_id=84#comment-204 Sorry but you deserved it. did you really expect a fully loaded munitions train to stop outside of the fence? Did you think that we would allow you to possibly hijack a munitions train? Sorry but you deserved it. did you really expect a fully loaded munitions train to stop outside of the fence? Did you think that we would allow you to possibly hijack a munitions train?

]]> By: Edd Aguilar http://www.brianwillson.com/the-sept-1-1987-tragedy-at-concord-ca-naval-weapons-station-cnws/comment-page-1/#comment-139 Edd Aguilar Mon, 10 May 2010 15:01:31 +0000 http://www.brianwillson.com/wordpress/?page_id=84#comment-139 Brian.... I am sorry.... For not answering on time. My point is this. We need machines that produces food not death, to plow the fields to sow hope not dispair. Instead of exporting weapons to Hondurans and elsewhere... to kill faster and less painfull.... why we can´t get tractors instead of weapons... so much need it. I was asked to protest and I did with great respect and honor. The Richmond Police asked me: Are you getting 6 Dollars an hour to do the protest show... it got me smiling. Aldo that gesture might seem little it means a lot to me these days.... I responded that I did it because I am coming from Honduras... where the contra never was accepted as true invasion upon Honduran soil... instead they treaten us if we would protest... or be killed. Thanks God I am still alive and I don´t know where is going to take me. So far... helping people I have come acroos to. God Bless you, your family and your country amidst. Brian…. I am sorry…. For not answering on time.
My point is this. We need machines that produces food not death, to plow the fields to sow hope not dispair. Instead of exporting weapons to Hondurans and elsewhere… to kill faster and less painfull…. why we can´t get tractors instead of weapons… so much need it. I was asked to protest and I did with great respect and honor. The Richmond Police asked me: Are you getting 6 Dollars an hour to do the protest show… it got me smiling. Aldo that gesture might seem little it means a lot to me these days…. I responded that I did it because I am coming from Honduras… where the contra never was accepted as true invasion upon Honduran soil… instead they treaten us if we would protest… or be killed. Thanks God I am still alive and I don´t know where is going to take me. So far… helping people I have come acroos to.
God Bless you, your family and your country amidst.

]]> By: Brian Willson http://www.brianwillson.com/the-sept-1-1987-tragedy-at-concord-ca-naval-weapons-station-cnws/comment-page-1/#comment-55 Brian Willson Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:56:09 +0000 http://www.brianwillson.com/wordpress/?page_id=84#comment-55 Edd, Please explain your comments. I don't have a clue what your point is. Edd, Please explain your comments. I don’t have a clue what your point is.

]]> By: Edd Gaspar Aguilar http://www.brianwillson.com/the-sept-1-1987-tragedy-at-concord-ca-naval-weapons-station-cnws/comment-page-1/#comment-54 Edd Gaspar Aguilar Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:23:25 +0000 http://www.brianwillson.com/wordpress/?page_id=84#comment-54 I think these odyssey has gone too far away my friends.... I think these odyssey has gone too far away my friends….

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