FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2014

PAKI WIELAND, NORTHAMPTON ACTIVIST, SENTENCED TO 15 DAYS PRISON FOR CIVIL
DISOBEDIENCE

DeWitt, New York -- Paki Wieland, a longtime resident of Northampton and
political activist, was sentenced tonight for 15 days in prison for taking
part in an act of civil disobedience opposing the illegal use of drones by
the U.S. government. Ms. Wieland and 15 other members of the "Coalition to
Ground the Drones and End the Wars" were arrested at Hancock Field Air
National Guard Base for trespassing and disorderly conduct in October, 2013.
Hancock is a site which remotely pilots "Reaper drones" which are regularly
used for extrajudicial murders in Afghanistan.

Paki and her codefendants were all found guilty of disorderly conduct, after
the dismissal of the trespass charge, and to the surprise of many, was given
the maximum sentence.  During sentencing, the judge remarked, "This has got
to stop." Each defendant received a $250 fine, $125 court costs, and 15 days
in prison. They also each received a 2 year order of protection from the
base, but all defendants refused to sign this.

After the verdict, the defendants were reported to all be in good spirits.
All are experienced civil resistors and will be supporting each other and
spreading their good spirits with their fellow inmates.

To date, no one has been charged or faced prison time for participating in
the use of drones to cause harm and/or death to civilians.

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Jeff Napolitano
Program Coordinator
Western Massachusetts Program
American Friends Service Committee
(413) 584-8975
2 Conz Street, Suite 2B, Northampton, MA 01060
29 Oakland Street, Springfield, MA 01108