Activists Get Probation for ‘Star Wars’ Protest

Nine Greenpeace protesters were sentenced to one year’s probation by a federal judge Friday for trying to disrupt a “Star Wars” missile defense test at Vandenberg Air Force Base in July.

In a deal with federal prosecutors earlier this month, Greenpeace agreed to pay a $150,000 civil fine and refrain from conducting any further acts of civil disobedience at U.S. military installations involved in the antimissile program.

In exchange, 16 Greenpeace activists were allowed to plead guilty to misdemeanors, averting a trial on felony charges.

The government did not seek jail time for the nine sentenced Friday, but may do so for seven others scheduled to be sentenced in mid-April, the U.S. attorney’s office said.