One of the speakers at the October 16 action was Char Madigan, CSJ, who observed that "The United States is preparing for war with Iraq--the given reason being Iraq's supposed capability of producing weapons of mass destruction. For years the peace movement has protested against Honeywell and now Alliant Techsystems for producing and selling such weapons in 41 countries. Why would the United States attack one country for what it allows American corporations to make and sell? Why would the United States justice system jail people for protesting the same weapons that we now would attack Iraq for producing?"

32. "For a while now I've felt that I have to do more than just be a face in the crowd," said Alexa about her decision to be arrested for the first time in her life at the October 16 action at Alliant Techsystems' corporate headquarters. "It scares me that we basically have a dictator in office, someone who wasn't elected, someone who is allowing stuff like 'pre-emptive strikes'. And now he's been given more power [by Congress]. It's scary."

Asked what keeps her motivated to speak out, Alexa replied, "This group keeps me going. I love coming here every Wednesday. And just knowing that there's people out there that still care and don't turn off the TV when the news gets bad, who keep pushing for change."

"I have a very liberal mother," notes Alexa, "and a very liberal grandmother. She lived in Germany during World War II and she would give extra ration coupons to people who were hiding Jews. She did her thing in her own way."

33. "I believe in peace," says Josh. "I'm a pacifist. Why should we murder innocent people in Iraq for the actions of their government? It's just wrong."

34. On May 28, 2003, over 100 citizens gathered in front of Alliant Techsystems' corporate headquarters as part of worldwide actions marking the International Day to Ban Depleted Uranium (May 29). Alliant Techsystems (ATK) has been one of the largest suppliers of depleted uranium (DU) munitions to the United States Department of "Defense".

For more images and information about this event and of Alliant Techsystems' complicity in the so-called "War on Terror," see Part 9 of Gallery 9.