Peace Activist Returns to Site Where He Was Injured by Train
SAN FRANCISCO — Peace activist S. Brian Willson made an emotional return Tuesday to a protest at the Concord Naval Weapons Station, where he lost his legs a month ago trying to block a munitions train, and urged demonstrators to continue efforts to stop arms shipments to Central America.
He was greeted enthusiastically by about 200 protesters who were holding hands and singing. Willson, 46, used a walker to examine the tracks where he was injured and later switched to a wheelchair as he met with protesters living in a tent “peace village.†He was there about two hours.
“All we’re really doing here is exercising our rights against the policies of our government that are illegal and immoral . . . ,†Willson said.
He also spoke briefly with Marine Maj. Mike Warren, who heads security at the base, “sort of bridging the gulf, so to speak,†said Maribeth Hoath of the Nuremberg Actions Committee, the protesters’ umbrella group.
Willson and two others were on the tracks where a two-car train carrying munitions was set to roll. The others managed to scramble from the tracks when the train rounded a bend and blew its whistle. Willson was mauled by the train as it rolled over him and dragged him more than 20 feet.
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