Jackie Hudson, O.P. Writes From Home!!!
Epistle 8 Bremerton, WA USA
March 2005
It is hard to describe my feelings as of my release from the federal prison camp in Victorville, CA on Friday, March 4. Sue Ablao was there to greet me as I stepped outside of the "discharge" building. The guard had allowed my friend, Alex (Arlyne) to help me find clothes and get my belongings together so it was a sad farewell and a happy greeting all within a minute. Sue's son and partner arranged a stay for us in Santa Barbara until our flight back to Seattle WA on Sunday. We enjoyed time in the sun at the ocean before a wonderful welcome home party at Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action on Sunday evening. My Present Status:
As I had written previously, I was told to report within 72 hours to the probation officer (PO) in Colorado. Washington had refused to allow my return home due to refusal to pay the court ordered restitution which is a condition of my supervised release. Expecting to be sent back to prison upon reporting I decided to return home and see friends and then report by telephone. I did phone the PO in Colorado within the 72 hours. He told me to report to the Washington office. I was then informed that the chief of probation in each of the states had conferred and decided that Washington would accept me on a "courtesy supervision" until the 10th circuit court of appeals rules on our case. This could be today or six months from today...
So as of now I have met with my PO - the same woman who supervised a previous one year probation in 2001 stemming from a "die in" action opposing the sanctions on Iraq at the federal building in Seattle WA. So...until the court of appeals decision I am acclimating myself to the "free ?" world.
It is amazing how many things I just took for granted in my life. The actual flavor and taste of food, the quiet of a home to mention two. The first visit to Seattle made me realize that I had only walked on level ground or cement for two and a half years. Seattle's hills became a chore as well as stairs. Sue and I stopped alongside the trident submarine base to check out a small (desk size) peace pole planted back in 1992 when we came to work at Ground Zero. Lo and behold it still stands just inside the base giving off its message of May Peace Prevail on Earth.
My days have been filled with telephone conversations with family, friends and the media which have publicized our call for nuclear disarmament once again. Each article has included the information on refusal to pay any money to this warmongering government and the proposal of alternative restitution payment. Thus far the amount of $112,000 plus has been recorded by Sue as so many of you have sent your donations of time and money to your place of choice. This alternative will be offered to the judge when we are called back to court. So, if you have not sent in your account please do, so that the amount will completely overwhelm the court as it has us.
To explain once again - The court ordered restitution is $3,080.04. The three of us ask that you honor our decision not to pay any amount of money to this government. The alternative suggested is that you donate money or time to the charity of your choice - estimate the dollar amount and send this information to Sue or now myself (not the money) to the address below. These will be tallied and offered to the judge when taken back to court. In the meantime may we all be as active as possible to end the massive killings in Iraq and elsewhere around the globe.
I again express my extreme gratitude to each of you for your loving support during the past two and a half years. May each of you be blessed abundantly as we commemorate the feast of Easter.
My love and gratitude, Jackie
Address: 3495 Dyes Inlet Rd. NW E-mail: jackiehudson123@yahoo.com or Bremerton, WA 98312 sablao1@yahoo.com