United States v. Thomas
CR 87-62, 87-64
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, O 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.
2. I believe Jesus taught us of personal communion with God,
individual responsibility, and active participation in righting
society's wrongs. [1]
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.
[1 "For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to
save them." (Jesus: Luke 9:56)
"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)]
[2 "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)]
2
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]
[3 "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)
]
2
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
[4 "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)]
[5 "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)]
[6 "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)]
4
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 D.C. 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 of 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
[7 "Be ye perfect, even as your Father ... in heaven is perfect."
(Jesus: Matthew 5:48)]
[8 "Whosoever shall ... receive the kingdom of God as a little child
... shall ... enter therein." (Jesus: Mark 10:15)]
[9 "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 on ... 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)]
5
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, Defendant
1440 N Street NW, #410
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 462-0757
[10 "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.)]
[11 "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) ]
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a true copy of the foregoing NOTICE OF
FILING DECLARATION OF ELLEN THOMAS'RELIGIOUS EXERCISE and
DECLARATION OF DEFENDANT ELLEN THOMAS IN SUPPORT OF AN ACT OF GOD
were hand-delivered to Linda Chapman, AUSA for the District of
Columbia, at her box in the Clerk's Office of the U.S. District
Court, 400 John Marshall Place, Washington, D.C., on this ____ day
of May, 1987.
Contents
Case Listing --- Proposition One ---- Peace Park