Brian Willson: Blood on the Tracks

Brian will be at Capitola Book Cafe to read from his memoir, Blood on the Tracks: the Life and Times of Brian S. Willson. His latest work has been described as "a guidebook for anyone called by conscience to question continued obedience to vertical power structures while longing to reconnect with the human archetypes of cooperation, equity, mutual respect and empathy."

Brian Willson, founder of Veterans Peace Action Teams, was a long time resident of Santa Cruz and has inspired many people in our communties. He is best known for having lost both legs during a 1987 Veterans Peace Action Team blockade of the naval station train tracks near Concord CA. The train did not stop and Willson is a double amputee as a result of receiving the worst injuries from the tragedy. However, undaunted, he has continued with his activism, including touring on a specially outfitted bike so that he can pedal with his arms, demonstrating that anyone can reduce their carbon footprint and still get where they want to go.
In addition to being a staunch anti-war activist, Brian has been or is involved in documenting the pitfalls of US foreign policy in Latin America, the Middle East and Asia, working for prisoners' rights, serving in political offices in Humboldt County, teaching and writing. He and his domestic partner live on a solar powered property and enjoy permaculture gardening and landscaping.