Swords Into Plowshares

On September 9, 1980, the Plowshares Eight entered a General Electric plant in Pennsylvania, and enacted the biblical command to “beat swords into plowshares” by hammering on the nose cones of two nuclear warheads and pouring blood on documents. Since that time, other small groups and individuals have entered manufacturing plants and military bases throughout the US, as well as in Australia, Germany, England, Ireland, Sweden and Holland, to disarm components of nuclear and conventional weapons systems. As of Spring 2003 there have been over 150 people who, using hammers and other symbols, have carried out over 75 plowshares and related disarmament actions. This book recounts each of the actions that have occurred over the last 23 years and includes information about the trials and sentences the plowshares activists have received. Photos of some of the actions and participants are also included, as well as other resources for peace and justice. “This book is an important contribution to the history of the peace movement in the US. It recounts the dramatic plowshares actions, which, over the last 23 years have kept alive the spirit of resistance to the arms race, and inspires us with the courage of all those who have gone to prison for their stand against the war makers….I hope it will be read by people all over the country to instruct and inspire them.” [Howard Zinn]