Art Laffin of Dorothy Day Catholic Worker in Washington, DC reports: Tuesday September 12 from Noon-1:00 PM, members of the DDCW, Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, and other peacemakers, held a prayer service and nonviolent witness outside the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD which once again is hosting the annual Air Force Association (AFA) "Air-Space-Cyber Conference and Technology Exposition," what we call an "Arms Bazaar." The theme of this year’s conference is “Defeating Multipolar Threats: A Strategic Imperative for Airmen & Guardians." There are some 180 exhibitor booths at this year's Air, Space & Cyber Conference, which began on September 11th and ended on September 13th. This witness was organized by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker.

Exhibitors taking part in this year's Arms Bazaar play a prominent role in US warmaking and global military intervention. Weapons contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and BAE are profiting from war and literally are making a killing! But that's not all. The Pentagon, in concert with numerous arms dealers, are committed to U.S. nuclear/military/cyber superiority and militarizing and controlling space. During its three-day Arms Bazaar, the AFA is holding forums addressing how the U.S. can refine its war making apparatus and cyber capability so it can dominate earth and space. There are also several gala banquets. See the agenda here: https://www.afa.org/2023-air-space-cyber-conference-agenda

During our witness we were present to many weapons contractors and military personnel attending the Arms Bazaar on their lunch break.  We also spoke with a New York Times reporter. Holding banners and signs, we began our prayer service by remembering that God and Jesus command us to renounce all killing and be nonviolent peacemakers, and calling into our presence the Holy Cloud of Witnesses. We remembered South African martyr Steve Biko on the 46th anniversary of his murder, Franciscan peacemaker Fr. Louie Vitale who went home to God last week, and all the peacemakers who have died this past year as well as all victims of war. As a way to be in solidarity with those who are resisting the DSEI Arms Fair in England, Verleah and Bob led us in Daily Prayer that British Christian peacemakers are using during their nonviolent witness this week. (See photo above.) There were readings from the Beatitudes in Luke's Gospel (read by Jake) and an excerpt from Dr. King's Beyond Vietnam Speech April 4, 1967 (read by Kathy and Merwyn). Also offered was a "Prayer of Exorcism and Conversion," a Reflection and Response (see below—read by Coop and Frank), a litany remembering the victims of the Nuclear Age and war (read by Dan), and a recitation of the Pax Christi Litany of Repentance and Conversion (read by Bob). We concluded this part of the prayer service by praying the Lord's Prayer and singing "Vine and Fig Tree."   

Some of us then processed to the main entrance of the Gaylord where many soldiers and arms contractors were. For several minutes we sang "Down by the Riverside" before having a very good exchange with security who ordered us to leave as we were on "private property." I was able to remind them that we were all on stolen Piscataway land and one security officer said he was aware of that. 

In these perilous times, let us live in the hope that Jesus offers: "All things are possible for the one who has faith." (Mk. 9:23) We beckon the holy cloud of witnesses and all peace and justice makers who have gone home to God and who are now advocating for us. Hope abounds in the actions of countless people worldwide who are seeking to make God's reign of justice, love, and peace a reality. Let us redouble our efforts to do all we can to nonviolently resist the forces and systems of violence, racism, oppression and death and witness to the God of Life and Love as we strive to create the Beloved Community.

In peace and hope,
Art

Reflection and Response

"Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood. In the face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the problem and to stop the arms trade."
—Pope Francis, September 24, 2015 Speech to the U.S. Congress

From September 11-13, the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center is once again playing host to the Air Force Association (AFA) "Air-Space-Cyber Conference and Technology Exposition," what we call an "Arms Bazaar." The AFA, according to its web site, is "the voice for aerospace power and the Air Force family." This year's theme is: “Defeating Multipolar Threats: A Strategic Imperative for Airmen & Guardians." 

Response: God Commands Us Not to Kill and To Beat Swords into Plowshares! Stop the AFA Arms Bazaar! Disarm Now!

Over 180 exhibitors taking part in this year's Arms Bazaar have played a prominent role in U.S. warmaking. Weapons contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and BAE, are profiting from war and literally are making a killing! But that's not all. The Pentagon and numerous arms dealers are committed to U.S. nuclear/military/cyber superiority and militarizing and controlling space. 

Response: God Commands Us Not to Kill and To Beat Swords into Plowshares! Stop the AFA Arms Bazaar! Disarm Now!

During its three-day Arms Bazaar, the AFA will hold forums addressing how the U.S. can refine its warmaking apparatus and cyber capability so it can dominate earth and space. Here are titles for some of the forums: “Building the Warfighting Mindset,” “Partnering to Win in the Space Fight,” “Winning the Kill Chain Competition,” “Air and Space Superiority Today and Tomorrow,” “Global Strike.” Additionally, two gala banquets are being held. We decry the AFA Arms Bazaar for what it is: a scandalous affront to God, a theft from the poor, and a threat to people and the environment worldwide! 

Response: God Commands Us Not to Kill and To Beat Swords into Plowshares! Stop the AFA Arms Bazaar! Disarm Now!

The victims cry out for justice, and the earth, under daily assault, groans in travail! Who will speak for the poor and the victims, as arms dealers reap huge profits from their lethal weapons and death technology? Who will protect our sacred earth and environment and work to avert global catastrophe?

Response: God Commands Us Not to Kill and To Beat Swords into Plowshares! Stop the AFA Arms Bazaar! Disarm Now!

The Doomsday Clock is now set at 90 seconds before midnight. The Ukraine war has exacerbated the nuclear peril between the U.S. and Russia. In light of the proposed $842 billion U.S. military budget for 2024, who will help to convert the U.S. war economy to meet critical human needs? We need, more than ever, to nonviolently resist and work to eradicate what Dr. King called the interrelated triple evils of racism, poverty/economic exploitation, and militarism/war.

Response: God Commands Us Not to Kill and To Beat Swords into Plowshares! Stop the AFA Arms Bazaar! Disarm Now!

Together, in solidarity with Campaign Nonviolence, Catholic Days of Action, and sisters and brothers in the U.S. and worldwide who are acting for peace, justice, and nonviolent social transformation, we of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, Pax Christi, and other peace groups call on all people of faith and goodwill to demand that the U.S. government:

• repent for its sinful use of nuclear weapons against Japan and war crimes it has committed in numerous acts of warmaking and military intervention–including in Vietnam, El Salvador, Iraq, and Afghanistan;

• renounce all systems of domination and oppression, rooted in white supremacy, which are reinforced by the murderous weapons displayed at the AFA Arms Bazaar;

• end military aid and weapons sales to all nations of the world, including to Israel used to support its illegal occupation of West Bank and Gaza, to Saudi Arabia used to support its 8-year illegal war in Yemen, to Morocco used to support the illegal occupation of Western Sahara, and to Ukraine, including cluster bombs and depleted uranium weapons;

• close its over 800 military bases worldwide, end NATO and AFRICOM, and stop all forms of military intervention throughout the world;

• stop the deployment of U.S. and NATO missile defense systems ringing Russia and China which is increasing already heightened tensions; 

• heed Pope Francis' plea that the possession of nuclear weapons is immoral and abolish all nuclear weapons now;  

• ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) which now makes nuclear weapons illegal under international law. 68 nations have ratified the TPNW but the U.S. and other 8 nuclear nations refuse to do so; 

• redirect exorbitant military expenditures, including the estimated $1.7 trillion over the next several decades to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal, to meet urgent human needs and safeguard the environment;

• create an economic and political order committed to placing people before profit, serving the common good, dismantling racism, promoting equality and restorative justice, and upholding the human rights and dignity of every person. 

Let us continue to do all we can to establish the Beloved Community, end the climate crisis and create a world free of nuclear and conventional weapons, killer drones and war. In the name of God, who commands us to love and not to kill and to beat all the swords of our time into plowshares, in the name of Jesus, who calls us to be peacemakers and people of total nonviolence, it's time to end the AFA Arms Bazaar and establish a disarmed world!