Activist Faces 20 Years Sabotage Or Disarmament?
As a result of an action she termed "disarmament," Susan (Katya) Komisaruk, faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of felony charges of destroying government property and causing injury to national defense materials. Armed with a hammer, cordless drill, and crowbar, the 28 year-old San Francisco-based human rights activist entered Vandenberg Air Force Base on June 2 and spent two hours destroying a computer, a satellite dish, and other objects. Her aim was to destroy one of the main computers of the NAVSTAR (Navigation System Time and Ranging) Global Positioning System, a satellite system that will improve the U.S.'s nuclear weapons first-strike capability. Before entering the the area of the air base where she actually did the damage, the Satellite Control Facility, Komisaruk left a box of Mrs. Fields cookies and a note outside the (open) front gate for the sake of the military guards who might have been sent to detain her. The note reads as follows:
"I have no gun ... you must have lots ... Let's not be hasty ... No cheap shots ... Please have a cookie ... and a nice day. ... In peace, Katya"
The NAVSTAR system is based on a constellation of satellites that orbits the earth and constantly transmits navigation signals. All military departments will have use of the system, but its most important application, some argue, is that it will increase the accuracy of missiles designed to hit "difficult" targets such as missile silos (which are primary targets in a nuclear first strike situation). Vandenberg officials claim that Komisaruk missed her main target, the NAVSTAR computer system, but managed to destroy an old IBM 3033 computer that had once been used to test the NAVSTAR system.
Her action completed, Komisaruk then hitch-hiked home to San Francisco. The next day, she held a press conference and turned herself in to the FBI. Komisaruk pleaded "not guilty" to all charges at her July 13 arraignment in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles and is currently free on $10,000 bail.
When asked about her feelings before the hearings she replied: "I feel brave during daytime, and sometimes I cry at night, but I do not regret what I did." She then explained that she carried out the action of "disarmament" in order to provide a safer world for her friends, family, and the baby she wants to have in the future. The trial will begin on Sept. 8, and if convicted of the charges, Komisaruk could face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.
Komisaruk, a 28 year old MBA graduate now living in the San Francisco Bay Area, became involved in the peace movement in 1982 and since then has been involved in protests against apartheid, the arms race, and U.S. intervention in Central America. Komisaruk plans to defend herself in court referring to international law and the Nuremberg principles. "It is not only the right but the duty of each citizen to resist the actions of her government when the government is preparing the means of genocide," she says.
"In a ligher vein," the end of Komisurak's press release reads, "... I imagine there were some very red faces among the security personnel in the wake of my activities at the NAVSTAR complex. Naturally I was inspired to verse: "Regarding those who guard the base ... And thus have suffered loss of face: ... l'm sure they're honest, true and staunch ... But just a trifle out to launch."
To end support or find out more a bout Katya Komisaruk's case, contact: Katya Komisaruk Defense Collective, 1716 Felton St. San Francisco, CA 94134