Page 11 - the NOISE May 2013

highlighted an air strike in which American- made F-16s dropped US-made bombs on a Palestinian population center that occurred on November 21, 2012 — the very same day Mr. DuVall was arrested.
“My testimony showed ample documenta- tion that United States military aid to Israel is aiding and abetting Israel’s 45-year-old apartheid military occupation under which Palestinians are subjected to racial discrimi- nation, daily humiliation, deliberate hard- ship, random violence... systematically be- ing denied legal, political and human rights,” Mr. DuVall explains, describing his actions as a sincere attempt to hold our government accountable to obey its own laws.
Sgt. Parker, who testified that he had asked Mr. DuVall to leave as many as twenty times, stated that while Mr. DuVall was act- ing peacefully and without belligerence, his actions and presence were interrupting the recruiting station’s daily practices, forcing him to report Mr. DuVall for illegal trespass. At one point, Sgt. Parker threw Mr. DuVall’s backpack out into the mall, but Mr. DuVall re- mained persistent in his attempt to converse, stating, “At that point, speaking out about the great injustice taking place in Gaza was more important to me than not being ar- rested.”
Mr. DuVall says he was aware that Sgt. Parker, or anyone else who might be present at the recruiting office, would not be able to instantly do much regarding the sale of American-manufactured weapons to Israel, but immediate action was not necessarily the purpose of Mr. DuVall’s visit. Mr. DuVall feels that the Army recruiting station has a strong influence throughout Prescott, one that cultivates contact with local schools, public officials, and civic or religious lead- ers, as well as utilizes various media like local radio, TV and newspapers. This influence is perhaps felt the strongest by youth or young adults, with recruiters oftentimes present at high school and college campuses. As a representative of the US military, Mr. DuVall feels Sgt. Parker and others in his position carry the responsibility of showing that the defense of human rights is a key objective of both the United States military and foreign policy, even when the country as a whole might fail to do so.
“Disrupting business as usual was a slight inconvenience, but it was not a terrible crime. However, a terrible crime was being commit- ted in Gaza at that very moment. At some
point, speaking out about life and death is more important than obeying a minor tres- passing law,” Mr. DuVall explained, adding that he does not intend to pay the fine im- posed on him.
Since his trial, Mr. DuVall has characteris- tically remained active, participating at the national anti-drone days of action which took place April 4 – 7 in San Diego, with Is- raeli drones among the numerous topics discussed at the demonstration. San Diego, called “the drone production capital of the world” by the drone diego coordinating committee, is home to General atomics, the company that manufactures Predator and Reaper drones, an enemy that Mr. DuVall knows well.
Mr. DuVall was a member of the infamous “creech 14,” a group of anti-drone protestors who were found guilty of illegally trespassing
onto Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada, in April 2009, attempting to engage in a peaceful dialogue in much the same manner that Mr. DuVall attempted to talk to Sgt. Parker at the Prescott recruiting station. At the Creech trial, former attorney Gen- eral ramsey clarke, while speaking about the legality of a citizen nonviolently voicing their concerns, stated that “under some cir- cumstances, it’s not merely a right, but a duty, to violate a comparatively minor principle of law for a very important principle of law, the issue of life and death.” Mr. DuVall says that the quote is one he thinks about often, a sentiment that continues to encourage and strengthen him in his continuing struggle to raise awareness and spread peace.
“I told Judge Markham that it was a moral imperative, and a legal obligation, to speak out and bring attention to a war crime I knew was taking place, that individuals have a duty to try and prevent crimes against hu- manity,” Mr. DuVall said, remaining defiant in his belief that he must always follow his con- science, regardless of consequence, “I never agree to punishment for taking responsi- bility as a citizen and speaking out about a crime against humanity.”
| Mark Szopinski is an NAU student and local hardware store personality. busyb3ingborn@gmail.com
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