Imprisoned for peace

They returned. Back to N-8.

There, behind a now thicker fence and a stronger chain, a nuclear Minuteman missile sits buried beneath the ground, surrounded by nothing but prairie speckled with sporadic ranches.

There, on Weld County Road 113, a dirt road just off of Colo. 14 about 10 miles west of Briggsdale, three Catholic nuns on Tuesday revisited the site where, in October 2002, they cut the fence and "symbolically disarmed" the missile by painting crosses on it in their blood. It was an act of nonviolent civil resistance against the nuclear arms race -- something they vow never to give up in their continued fight in what they're calling "weapons of mass destruction."

Labeled by opponents as terrorists for their actions three years ago, sisters Ardeth Platte, 68, Jackie Hudson, 70, and Carol Gilbert, 57, risked their probation this week to return to Denver, where they were sentenced in July 2003 of willful injury, interference or obstruction of national defense and one count of causing more than $1,000 property damage. All got out of prison at various times last year, each behind bars in a different part of the country.

In December, they proposed a solution to their ongoing issue of the $3,082 restitution bill they refuse to pay. That unpaid bill put a halt on their freedom to travel, though all involved in their cases know they're here.

Today, they'll meet with their probation officer to resolve it. They've offered an alternative: their 148 years of combined community service and the more than $600,000 that has been raised since their lock-up and which has been donated to needy organizations.

"We will continue to be here and give witness for the need to close this down," said Sister Jackie, addressing the 30 people who gathered on Tuesday. "To the day when this will no longer be, Hallelujah."

A helicopter circled above, the propellers providing the background beat for their songs praising God and seeking peace. A flag blew in the wind, the word "Pace" (Italian for "Peace") in its rainbow colors.

"It's kind of touching how thoroughly they're protecting this missile that could blow us all to kingdom come," said Loveland resident Deb Stucklen, 63, of the helicopters above. "Just think how nice it would be if all civilians in the world got that same protection."

The group later gathered at Luceritos, 8th Avenue and 16th Street, to see the documentary, "Conviction," made of the nuns' actions. The hope is to get the documentary shown on public television.