Actor Robert Blake, known for "Baretta" and "Lost Highway," dies at 89

[Tom Rinaldo]

38. I once administered a pledge of non-violence to Blake

I was with the Abalone Alliance, a coalition of antinuclear activists in California in the late 70's early 80's. We were staging a blockade of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant prior to it being scheduled to have its fuel rods loaded. All potential participants were asked to adhere to our pledge of non-violence if they wanted to be part of the blockade. We went over it with everyone who arrived at our staging area. I was on duty when Blake showed up, so I went through that with him. My memory of him is that he was slightly flippant but fully cooperative and reasonably respectful of our process.

I thought of that often when he was accused of murdering his wife.