Activists pack Endicott court in BAE trespassing trial

ENDICOTT, NY ( WIVT/WBGH ) – Protestors packed the Endicott Village Court in support of a local activist who was arrested for trespassing during an anti-war protest.

In April, Jack Gilroy and members of Veterans for Peace and Pax Christi held a demonstration outside of BAE Systems, over the amount of federal taxes that go to support military contractors.

He says that the weapons produced in America are fueling genocide and war across the world.

Gilroy was arrested for trespassing, a misdemeanor, on BAE’s property while trying to hand deliver a letter that denounces the work of BAE and other defense contractors.

During the trial, Gilroy went without an attorney and represented himself.

He attempted to put BAE on trial by presenting evidence about atrocities committed using American-made weaponry.

“What we have to do then is to take these measures, go to the door of the makers of the weapons of mass destruction and say, think about what you’re doing and change. Convert to something else. Things that are really needed,” says Gilroy.

Judge Alfonso Ortega interrupted Gilroy multiple times, asking him to stay on the topic of trespassing, not weapons.

During the trial, Gilroy got BAE’s security guard to admit that he did not show identification, and that there were no no-trespassing signs on the property.

However, the security guard testified that Gilroy was told to leave the property several times, but he did not.

Judge Ortega told Gilroy that he would receive a verdict by mail within 30 days.

News 34 reached out to BAE for comment but did not receive a reply.

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