Testimony to the New York City Council Hearing on Resolution 0976 – 2019 and INT 1621 – 2019,
January 28, 2019.
Fr. Steve Kelly, SJ has no other means of communication aside from a small white postcard from his prison.
He is a Catholic priest who for decades has been involved in social justice, who has spent many years in prison for civil disobedience against U.S. nuclear weapon policies.
He was chosen to deliver the eulogy for Fr. Dan Berrigan’s funeral, and is featured in the documentary “The Nuns, The Priests and the Bomb”.
He entered the Kings Bay Submarine Naval base in prayer and non violent civil disobedience along with 6 other Catholic Workers, specifically on the anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr’s assassination, April 4th, 2018. The nuclear warheads at this one base alone have the ability to destroy every major city on earth and end civilization. Their faith’s call is to “Love One Another.” For trying to awaken us to the potential horror of annihilation. All have been convicted of 3 felony counts and one misdemeanor. He’s been in prison since.
Fr. Kelly’s submitted statement reads:
“Monday, 6 January MMXX
Dear Honorable Members of the esteemed New york City Council.
I write regarding Res. 976 and INT 1621 worthy of your agenda and affecting New York City Citizens and millions of other vulnerable people.
I am Rev. Stephen Kelly, S.J. currently a prisoner of conscience in Brunswick, Georgia as a consequence of a witness in embodiment in the vision of economic, political, and moral conversion given us in ISAIAH 2:4 typified “…Swords to Plowshares”.
This non-violent exposure of the omnicide of Trident offense system underlines your concerns of the danger of nuclear possession, threat and God forbid, use.
But more important, and several Catholic workers will speak to this, it is $ trillions of dollars n theft from the needs of our society as outlined by Eisenhower in his presidential departure declaration.
I’m encouraged that you consider divestment and advocacy of the ICAN [TPNW] treaty.”
