PROTEST PROBATION:

The case of America v. MacGregor Eddy concluded last
week with the local peace activist being fined $2,500 and put on
two years’ probation by a federal judge at the U.S. Bankruptcy
Court in Santa Barbara. Found guilty earlier this year of
trespassing at Vandenberg Air Force Base during an anti-war rally
last October, the Salinas resident and nurse – who has a prior
incident of trespass at the base – staunchly defended her actions
until the very end as being a “necessary” protest of an illegal
war. Citing America’s repeated violations of the Nuremberg
Principles, Eddy, 56, crossed a painted line at the entrance of the
base last October 6 to inform military personnel of their violation
of international law. Though prosecutors pressed for jail time,
Magistrate Rita Federman opted against it, saying the “crime
committed was committed in a very peaceful and respectful manner.”
She added that Eddy would not be required to carry out community
service hours as she already has an impressive civic service track
record.