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Navy Maims Vet: Casualty in the Case of Peace

By VVAW

VVAW as a national organization expresses outrage and sorrow at the actions of the U.S. Navy at the Concord Naval Weapons State in California where Vietnam veteran Brian Willson, protesting U.S. arms shipments to Central America was struck by a Navy train resulting in the loss of both of his legs.

All evidence both from eye-witnesses and as recorded on video tape shows a complete disregard for the lives and safety of the demonstrators. Duncan Murphy, a fellow demonstrator and veteran, stated: "That train that ran into us. . . was a death train. It was quite obvious there was no intent to stop." Murphy stood beside Brian Willson when the train struck.

Willson, 47, a Vietnam veteran and member of VVAW, is a respected part of the national veterans movement for peace in Central America. His sacrifices during the long hunger strike of 1986 as one of the four participants in the Veterans Fast for Life drew national and international attention to the U.S. war in Central America. His work with Veterans Peace Action Teams in Nicaragua earned the respect of vets and non-vets across the country.

The activities of the Veterans Peace Action Team in the Nuremberg actions-Concord began this year on June 10 and have been on-going since then. With an emphasis on non-violence the activities at the Concord Naval Weapons Station are based on the philosophy of the 1950 Principles of International Law recognized in the Charter of the Nuremberg Tribunal. Key in the covenant of nonviolence for the Concord Actions which consisted of 10 points in point #4 which states: "We will not run, use threatening motions, or jump suddenly on or off the tractor roadways."

The initial Naval statement charged that the participants, specifically Brian, threw themselves in front of the train which belies the months of activities and internal discipline of the peace activists. Further, that Brian had taken his wife and child along as part of the action means that he had no expectation of any such finale to the day's blockade.

VVAW charges the Navy with gross misconduct and criminal negligence. Apparently, the Navy hoped to intimidate peace activists by attempting to take their lives. But this is the same Navy that has 38 of its own men killed by a supposedly friendly aircraft in the Persian Gulf.

We extend our sympathy and affection to Brian and his family, and wish him as full a recovery as possible. We look forward to joining him in future actions. We fully support the call for investigations by U.S. Representative Ron Dellums and other legislators. And we fully support continued activities at Concord as part of our common fight to end U.S. involvement in Central America.

The reactions to attack on Brian Willson was nationwide. VVAW members participated in a large action in the Bay Area of California, and in other activities organized by the Pledge of Resistance in the Midwest and in New Jersey. In New York City VVAW initiated a memorial celebration that drew 300 people. But perhaps the greatest response was the kindling of activist fires in the hearts of many vets who have not yet joined the battle against U.S. activities in Central America. There will be many ready to march.