Declaration of Ellen Thomas -- United States v. Thomas, CR 87-60, 87-64

(The following declaration is as true in 1997 as it was when it helped win us a temporary acquittal in 1987....et) UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

UNITED STATES
versus                               CR 87-64
                                     Judge Charles Richey
ELLEN THOMAS

DECLARATION OF DEFENDANT ELLEN THOMAS
IN SUPPORT OF AN ACT OF GOD

Create in me a clean heart, 0 God, and renew a right spirit in me. (Isaiah 51:10)

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment, (John 7:21.)

I, Ellen Thomas, under expectation of righteous judgment, do solemnly affirm and declare:

1. I believe in the words and life of Jesus, and try to pattern my life as I believe he would in today’s world. [Footnotes, end of document.]

2. I believe Jesus taught us of personal communion with God, individual responsibility, and active participation in righting society’s wrongs.

3. I am working very hard to save my children, and the world’s children, from nuclear extinction. I believe that is the reason I was born. I believe this is a 24- hour-a-day task. [2]

4. It took me many years to come to that realization. Although I was raised in no religion, up to the age of five my best friend was God and I had no cares.

5. At the age of five, I turned from God in fear and anger when I saw (in LIFE Magazine) the works of insane men: the charred and emaciated bodies of the children of Hiroshima, Auschwitz, and Ethiopia. (See, e.g., attachment 1, Prophecy. )

6. For 30 years I tried on worldly shoulds and shouldn’ts. I felt driven by a need to succeed, but at what I knew not. I bore and helped raise two children in an upside-down world. I explored various religions and value structures. I faced, and conquered, real and irrational fears. I began listening for God again. (See, e.g., attachment 2, Conversation. )

7. I visited a friend who had found joy and hope while in prayerful retreat on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. I yearned for his apparent peace of mind.

8. I too went to that dairy farm, seeking understanding. On the 21st day of my retreat, praying as I watched the sun tinge rose the snowy pastures, a gentle voice re-entered my mind and welcomed me home.

9. I realized God was no more to blame for Hiroshima, Auschwitz, or Ethiopia than for my own mistakes. I felt God’s forgiveness. From that time on prayer was part of my daily life. I made up my mind to try to leave the world a better place than the one my children were born into. [3]

10. In June, 1983, I arrived in Washington, D.C., and was soon comfortable, but dissatisfied, in what turned out to be an ornamental position with a major environmental lobbyist. Still driven by a sense that God had a purpose for my life, I sought truth and wrote about my search. [4]

11. In March, 1984, I met William Thomas, a fellow truth-seeker then in the third year of his antinuclear vigil outside the White House. Thomas’ work radiated his profound belief in God. Thomas’ work was vital, effective, helpful, and spiritually challenging. It was founded on the principles of compassion and communication. It was also under severe attack from the police and Park Service regulation-writers. [5]

12. I prayed and once again examined my life. (See attachment 3, Statement of Purpose.)

13. In April, 1984, I gave away my possessions and became Thomas’ vigil partner at the White House gates. [6] (See attachment 4, We Believe.)

14. In May, 1984, Thomas and I were married. With Thomas’ and God’s help I seek spiritual perfection. [7]

15. In June, 1984, I was jailed for the first and second times in my life. While held three days (June 23-25), I read the Gospels through and recognized Jesus’ words as those of the friend in my head as a child of five and a praying adult. [8] (See attachment 5, Notes from DC Jail.)

16. During the three years of my vigil I have written a play about my experience and beliefs. (Copy available upon request.)

17. During the three years at my vigil I have displayed many signs conveying the message of God’s love, forgiveness, and direction. (See attachments 6 and 7, e.g. diary entry 6/8/84; Administrative Record 36 CFR 50.19(e) (11) (12).)

18. During the three years of my vigil I have written flyers and letters reflecting my sense of spiritual purpose. (See attachments 5, 8-12, e.g.)

19. For three years now I have lived a life of simplicity as an example of unquestioning trust in God. [9]

20. The way I live -- causing harm to no one and seeking good for all, 24 hours a day, publicly and without fear -- is my religion. [10]

21. Lafayette Park is uniquely situated to allow me to communicate my beliefs to people from all over the world. (See attachments: (13) petition and petition tally of 8,417 signatures collected from citizens of 70 countries and every state in the United States at White House gates during eleven weeks of winter-into-spring, 1987; (14) Peace Release -- "God Loves Us All" -- issued spring 1986; reissued May 1987.)

22. Incorporating paragraphs 1-21 and all attachments hereto, I hereby declare that the sincerity of my belief and trust in God are true.

23. To deny me the right to devote my life 24 hours a day to spreading God’s message is to place upon me a burden which I cannot, in good faith, assume.

Your friend in peace,

Ellen Thomas, Plaintiff

2817 11th Street NW

Washington, DC 20005

(202) 462-0757

For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. (Jesus: Luke 9:16)

Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Jesus: Matthew 7:12)

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. (Jesus: Matthew 5: 16)

Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. (Jesus: Mark 7:27)]

Love God with all thy heart. . .soul. . .and mind, and then love they neighbor as thyself. (Jesus: Matthew 22:37-39; Mark 12:30-31)

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Jesus: Matthew 6:14)

Ask, and it shall be given you seek, and ye shall find. (Jesus: Matthew 7:7) ... know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (Jesus: John 8:32)

The meek ... shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor ... shall rejoice ... and all that watch for iniquity are cut off: that make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of naught. (Isaiah 29:19-21)

If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast give to the poor, and ... shalt have treasure in heaven; and then follow me. (Jesus: Matthew 19:21)

Be ye perfect, even as your Father ... in heaven is perfect, (Jesus: Matthew 5:48)

Whosoever shall ... receive the kingdom of God as a little child ... shall ... enter therein. (Jesus: Mark 10:15)

As it is written: The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1·: 17)

Take no thought for your life what ye shall eat, neither for the body, what ye shall put an ... but rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.... Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Jesus: Luke 12:22, 31-32) and he said unto me,. Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. (Revelations 10:11)

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the Children of God. (Jesus: Matthew 5:9.)

Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you (the Government) do not receive our testimony. (Jesus: John 3:11; parentheses added.)

And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not. ’ (Jesus: John 1:5)

Contents

Case Listing --- Proposition One ---- Peace Park