THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, December 12, 1994 TAG: 9412120081
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORT
DATELINE: GOLDSBORO, N.C. LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
A Norfolk anti-war activist was among four people arrested Saturday and charged with trespassing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Steve Baggarly of Norfolk - a member of Norfolk Catholic Workers, a charitable organization to help the homeless - was arrested after a rally and march of more than 100 peace activists through Goldsboro. The protest was staged in observation of the one-year anniversary of the damage of an F-15 jet on the base. Four members of Pax Christi-Spirit of Life Plowshares are serving federal sentences for the crime.
Pax Christi advocates eliminating public spending for the military.
In addition to Baggarly, Scott Jacobson and Francisco Risso, both of Raleigh, remained in jail Sunday evening after refusing to be released, the group said. Jean Chapman of Hillsborough was released on personal recognizance.
All four were charged with second-degree trespassing. They were taken into police custody while kneeling in prayers for peace on base property. They are scheduled to be tried on Jan. 3.
Baggarly, 28, of the 1300 block of W. 38th St., and his wife, Kim Williams, are founders of Norfolk's Catholic Worker house, a shelter for homeless people and a hub of the region's peace movement.
Baggarly has previously said that he protests government spending on the military because it is wasteful and takes money that should be going to the poor.
In April 1993, Baggarly was one of three people arrested in Norfolk after staging a protest at an international arms expo at the Waterside Marriott.
They had tried to distribute peace leaflets at the ComDef'93 exposition and were arrested when they entered a luncheon, unfurled a banner and prayed.
Baggarly was convicted of trespassing and given one year's probation by General District Judge Charles R. Cloud. by CNB