Kitsap-Bangor anti-nuke protestor convicted for one demonstration, still waiting for word on another

A Tacoma woman who trespassed at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in August to protest nuclear weapons was found guilty in federal court Wednesday. Lynne Greenwald, 60, who may face up to six months in jail for the August protest, is still awaiting word on whether she will be prosecuted for another demonstration in November, where she and four others allegedly entered the base through a fence.

A Tacoma woman who trespassed at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in August to protest nuclear weapons was found guilty in federal court Wednesday.

Lynne Greenwald, 60, who may face up to six months in jail for the August protest, is still awaiting word on whether she will be prosecuted for another demonstration in November, where she and four others allegedly entered the base through a fence.

She said she expected the outcome Thursday. She is scheduled to be sentenced in May.

“There were no surprises,” she said. Greenwald is a member of Poulsbo’s Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, a group which helps organize regular demonstrations at the base.

Despite the conviction, and earlier acts of “civil resistance” and the possibility of further prosecution, Greenwald said she is undeterred. She could face the jail time plus up to $5,000 in fines, she said.

Greenwald lived in Bremerton until about two months ago, she said, but despite living in a community with a prominent military presence, and holding vigil outside the base, she was surprised by the level of support she saw.

“People inside the military, inside the base and outside the base, rational thinking people, understand the seriousness of this, that we can’t use nuclear weapons and we have to do something about it,” she said.

Greenwald and the others with Disarm Now Plowshares were originally charged with trespassing following the November demonstration, but those charges have been dropped. Greenwald heard felony charges may be forthcoming.

“There’s nothing new on that, we haven’t heard anything,” she said.