Angry Demonstrators Return to Tracks Where Protester Was Run Over by Train

Angry demonstrators returned Wednesday to the Concord Naval Weapons Station where a Vietnam veteran protesting U.S. arms shipments to Central America lost both legs a day earlier when he knelt in front of an oncoming munitions train.

Standing directly over the blood-spattered rails where the train struck 47-year-old S. Brian Willson, a stream of speakers from activist organizations blasted the Navy and law enforcement authorities for failing to stop the train.

“That train that ran into us . . . was a death train,” said Duncan Murphy, who was next to Willson as the train approached. “It was quite obvious that there was no intent to stop.”

Murphy and another man jumped out of the way just before the train struck Willson.

“They were thinking it was a game of chicken,” Murphy said.

“Brian Willson gave his legs to stop the war,” said Robert LaSalle, a theology teacher for the Catholic Diocese of Oakland.

Willson’s wife of 11 days, Holly Rauen, informed the estimated 50 demonstrators at the news conference that she had just returned from visiting her husband at the hospital. She said the first thing he said was “Well, I’m a real peace agitator.”

“I’m very deeply angered,” she said. “I feel a deeper conviction than ever . . . to do whatever it takes to stop our barbaric policy.”

Rep. Ronald V. Dellums (D-Berkeley) sent an aide to inform the activists that he will officially ask the secretary of the Navy to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

“I am shocked to learn of the Navy’s reckless action at the Concord Naval Weapons Station, which resulted in crippling injuries to Mr. Brian Willson,” Dellums said in a statement released by the aide. “I am upset and angry because there is absolutely no excuse for what happened.”

Willson, who last year participated in a 47-day fast on the Capitol steps, was listed in serious condition Wednesday after eight hours of surgery during which doctors amputated both legs below the knees.

Willson, who was at the base on Tuesday to start a 40-day fast, was also suffering from a skull fracture and other injuries, officials at John Muir Hospital reported.

Attempt to Block Truck

After the news conference, five protesters tried to block a passing truck by sitting in the middle of the roadway. However, a Marine guard ran ahead to warn the truck, which had to swerve to avoid them.

A group of about 10 protesters began a vigil of sitting on the tracks, including anti-war activist Daniel Ellsberg.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker condemned U.S. policy toward Nicaragua in a short speech to the somber group.

“It’s really obscene what is happening in Central America,” Walker said.

“I’m here today out of respect for Brian’s courage,” she said, adding that she met Willson on two occasions within the past two months. “What I remember (about Wilson) is that he had a very beautiful calm and happy spirit.”

Capt. Lonnie Cagle, commander of the base 45 miles east of San Francisco, said the engineer “was under no orders” to proceed through the demonstrators without stopping. Public affairs officer Dan Tikalsky said the train crew had been instructed to stop if anyone was on the tracks.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation immediately after the incident, Sheriff’s Capt. Russell Pitkin said. He said his department had jurisdiction because the protesters were on a railroad right of way a few feet off the base property.

One of the demonstrators shot a videotape of the incident, and Pitkin said he hoped to turn that tape over to the county crime lab to establish how fast the train was moving. He said investigators needed to interview more witnesses before drawing any conclusions on who to blame.

Disagreement on Speed

Several demonstrators said the train seemed to accelerate as it approached the group of protesters at a speed of at least 10 to 15 m.p.h. However, Navy officials disputed that account, claiming a preliminary investigation showed the civilian engineer was moving at 5 m.p.h. and had applied the brakes.

“To some of us, it seemed the train sped up,” said Rauen, who claimed the vehicle was traveling 30 m.p.h.

Willson was leading a group of about 25 demonstrators outside the weapons station, the largest such facility in the Western United States, when he attempted to block the train. He was dragged about 25 feet as other demonstrators, Marines, his stepson and wife looked on in horror.

“They’ve killed my dad. They’ve murdered my dad,” shouted Gabriel Rauen, 14, who had to be restrained.

“Brian told me before we got on the tracks that he was prepared to give his life waging peace, to stop the bombing of people in Central America,” said Murphy, 67.

Shortly before the incident, Willson said, “I have to say, ‘You can’t move the train without moving my body.’ ”

A note Willson had in his hand when he was struck, which was read during a candlelight vigil at the accident site Tuesday night, said, “The authorities will be notified of the resistance action on the tracks so that they will have the choice of suspending movement of munitions, removing our bodies or running us over.”