REPORT BACK: “Surprise” SHUT DOWN TRAVIS: Action 4, March 24, 2024

By inergency On Mar 19, 2024

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by Wynd Kaufmyn and Toby Blomé

Two U.S. Air Force Bases Shut Down to Protest US Complicity in Israeli Genocide in Gaza

On Thursday, Mar. 24, our Shut Down Travis coalition, that included members of CODEPINK, Occupy Beale, and others, simultaneously orchestrated nonviolent blockades at two U.S. military bases, Travis AFB and Beale AFB, to oppose and interfere with U.S. complicity in the Israeli-led genocide in Gaza. Travis directly transports U.S. weapons to Israel. We are a new and evolving coalition of Northern California organizations collaborating loosely in solidarity with Palestinian resistance and to oppose the U.S. War Machine. Thursday’s joint effort may be the first time in US history where activists have coordinated simultaneous blockades of more than one U.S. military base. If anyone knows of a similar occurrence in the U.S. history please contact us. Attached are the two independent reports from Thursday’s action. Please reach out to us to join this campaign!

TRAVIS REPORT (Fairfield, CA)

On March 14, a small contingent of activists arrived unannounced at Travis Air Force Base at the pre-dawn hour of 5:30 am. They attempted to block the wide 3 lane road entering the main gate but quickly realized that the darkness, the speed of the cars (many going way over the posted speed limit), the strong winds, and our small numbers made this much too dangerous. In addition, a couple of very aggressive drivers heightened the concern for safety.

The activists then moved to the side of the road with posters, flags, and a massive banner that read, “STOP TRAVIS: NO US WEAPONS FOR GENOCIDE: STOP ILLEGAL WAR CRIMES AGAINST CIVILIANS.” On the other side was a bigger than life-size poster of Aaron Bushnell with his last words: “I will no longer be complicit in genocide… Free Palestine.” Aaron was the 25 year young active duty U.S. airmen who, on February 24, in an extreme act of protest, set himself on fire to expose U.S. complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Five of the activists took another long banner, “STOP GENOCIDE,” to a nearby side entrance into the “Hospital Gate,” and briefly shut it down. Soon after, the Fairfield police arrived to warn us that arrests would be made if we continued to block roads. Meanwhile, at the stop light leading into the Main Gate, with each green crossing light, a small group of activists walked into the crosswalk with the posters, flags and the banner, “FOOD TO GAZA, NOT WEAPONS TO ISRAEL,” making eye contact and chanting at the cars lining up at each red light.

At about 8:00 am some of the activists regrouped at the Travis Air Force Base North Gate and proceeded to block traffic on the narrow two-lane road going into the base with their massive banner. The successful blockade lasted for nearly an hour, under extremely severe wind gusts. Drivers stalled by the blockade were offered a granola bar, an educational card and a leaflet explaining the purpose of our action. Martha Hubert reported that 25-30 drivers accepted, and that no one was disrespectful. Some engaged in conversation with her.

(Watch 12 sec video at North Gate)

Note Military Police Vehicle with “Caution: Military Working Dog” written on the vehicle!

Eventually Fairfield police arrived in riot gear, with helmets and batons in hand. The 3 remaining in the roadway after the warning was given were quickly arrested at around 9:30am: Toby Blomé, Fred Bialy, and Wynd Kaufmyn. Two others, Art Koch and Jay, were unexpectedly arrested soon after.

Art, an independent videographer, was actively filming the direct action and arrests when suddenly, without warning, a Fairfield police officer aggressively manhandled and twisted his wrist, and arrested him, as recorded at end of video. “Usually the police don’t arrest journalists walking across the road, except for Gaza, where they murder the press,” he said.

Jay, observing Art’s arrest, went over to attempt to rescue Art’s shoulder bag on the road and tell the police that Art was not a protester but was merely documenting. As she approached, another officer reached for her arm in a threatening way, so she retreated across the road to the opposite shoulder. The officer followed her, pushed her to the ground and aggressively handcuffed her hands behind her back, despite the fact that she told him that her elbow was still healing from a recent fracture and was very fragile. Luckily she did not sustain serious physical injury, but it was a very traumatizing experience nonetheless.

All five were taken to the Solano County jail and released by 2pm. The Solano Unity Network and Codepink activists welcomed the detainees out of jail with food and drink and community! Thank You!

The five detainees were given a court date of May 13, 2024!

Gratitude to Art Koch, Martha Hubert and Vallejo Sun photographer Ryan Geller for your amazing documentation!

BEALE REPORT: (Marysville, CA)

Activists, led by Occupy Beale, organized a simultaneous “Shut Down” at Beale AFB on the same day. Two gates, the Schneider and Wheatland Gates, were simultaneously closed in the early morning for an hour or more each. 5 activists were ultimately arrested, and later released.

Read their full report on Indybay.org HERE.

More from Travis:

The leaflet we passed out to blocked vehicles: