Lynne Greenwald

Lynne Greenwald (August 3, 1949 – August 5, 2014) was an American social worker, peace activist, and advocate for nuclear disarmament. She was widely recognized for her nonviolent resistance to nuclear weapons and her commitment to community service, both in and outside of prison.

Early life

Greenwald moved to Washington state with her husband George in the early 1980s, seeking a life rooted in nonviolent community and social justice. Together, they operated Emmanuel House, a Catholic Worker Hospitality House that provided support to low-income neighbors and people with AIDS. Greenwald’s activism was shaped by her deep belief in the power of love, nonviolence, and the importance of community, values she imparted to her children and those around her.

Anti-nuclear activism

Greenwald became a prominent figure in the anti-nuclear movement, particularly through her involvement with the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action near Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Washington. She participated in numerous protests and acts of civil disobedience aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons and advocating for their abolition.

Disarm Now Plowshares action

On November 2, 2009, Greenwald was one of five activists—alongside Stephen Kelly, Susan Crane, Bill Bichsel, and Anne Montgomery—who entered the Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, the largest nuclear weapon storage area in the United States. The group, known as the Disarm Now Plowshares, cut through three fences to reach a secure area near bunkers storing nuclear warheads. They displayed banners, scattered sunflower seeds, sprinkled blood, and prayed before being arrested by military personnel.

The group was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy, trespass, destruction of government property, and depredation of government property. Each faced up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Legal consequences

In December 2010, a federal jury convicted Greenwald and her co-defendants. On March 28, 2011, she was sentenced to six months in prison and 60 hours of community service, as well as one year of supervised release and restitution fines. The judge acknowledged the humanitarian motives of the activists but emphasized the legal consequences of their actions. Greenwald served her sentence and continued her ministry and advocacy upon release.

Greenwald’s life was characterized by her steadfast commitment to peace, justice, and community. She was remembered as a gentle leader, a loving mother and grandmother, and a tireless advocate for the marginalized. Even during her time in prison, she ministered to fellow inmates and, after her release, continued her work at the Erma Geary House, supporting women in need.

Her activism and personal integrity left a lasting impact on those who knew her and the broader peace movement. Friends and fellow activists celebrated her as someone who “walked her talk,” embodying the principle that actions speak louder than words.