Seven Arrested at White House for War Protest
By MIKE FERNER | Counterpunch | 2.28.06
Holding a banner that read, "GOD FORGIVE AMERICA," seven peace activists were arrested yesterday in front of the White House, in a civil disobedience protest against the war in Iraq.
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The seven were charged with the federal misdemeanor of demonstrating without a permit, fined seventy-five dollars, and released yesterday evening. The action was part of VCNV's "Winter of our Discontent" demonstratons in the month leading up to the third anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq on March 20.
Terrell organized the group of 15 from Iowa that included students from Loras College, a. hospital worker, and a farmer from Missouri who drove 140 miles to Des Moines to join them
"If not now, when?" Terrell replied when asked why they drove 20 hours overnight to get arrested in the nation's capital. "Some people consider civil disobedience an extreme measure for extreme times. If these aren't extreme times I don't know what are."
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The entire group demonstrated on the sidewalk in front of the White House fence, walking slowly with placards and banners for about 30 minutes. The seven who were arrested took their signs to the portion of the fence ruled off-limits to protests where they stood, attracting the attention of Park Police who warned them they risked arrest.
When they refused to move, police called in a large team to make the arrests which included six officers on motorcycles, one on horseback, and over a dozen in patrol cars and unmarked vehicles including several command officers, with four Secret Service officers observing.
After police roped off a large, square area in front of the protesters, a lieutenant, speaking through a patrol car loudspeaker, warned the seven that "You must leave the enclosed portion of the White House sidewalk. All those not leaving will be arrested." Three warnings later, officers approached the activists and began handcuffing and searching them one at a time. To cheers from supporters and under the eye of dozens of tourists, the arrestees were lead into a large police wagon and taken away. The whole operation took about 90 minutes.
Last night, Leys said they had been processed, fined, and released later in the day around 5:00 pm.
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Mike Ferner is a freelance writer from Ohio. He can be reached at: mike.ferner@sbcglobal.net
Holding a banner that read, "GOD FORGIVE AMERICA," seven peace activists were arrested yesterday in front of the White House, in a civil disobedience protest against the war in Iraq.
*****
The seven were charged with the federal misdemeanor of demonstrating without a permit, fined seventy-five dollars, and released yesterday evening. The action was part of VCNV's "Winter of our Discontent" demonstratons in the month leading up to the third anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq on March 20.
Terrell organized the group of 15 from Iowa that included students from Loras College, a. hospital worker, and a farmer from Missouri who drove 140 miles to Des Moines to join them
"If not now, when?" Terrell replied when asked why they drove 20 hours overnight to get arrested in the nation's capital. "Some people consider civil disobedience an extreme measure for extreme times. If these aren't extreme times I don't know what are."
*****
The entire group demonstrated on the sidewalk in front of the White House fence, walking slowly with placards and banners for about 30 minutes. The seven who were arrested took their signs to the portion of the fence ruled off-limits to protests where they stood, attracting the attention of Park Police who warned them they risked arrest.
When they refused to move, police called in a large team to make the arrests which included six officers on motorcycles, one on horseback, and over a dozen in patrol cars and unmarked vehicles including several command officers, with four Secret Service officers observing.
After police roped off a large, square area in front of the protesters, a lieutenant, speaking through a patrol car loudspeaker, warned the seven that "You must leave the enclosed portion of the White House sidewalk. All those not leaving will be arrested." Three warnings later, officers approached the activists and began handcuffing and searching them one at a time. To cheers from supporters and under the eye of dozens of tourists, the arrestees were lead into a large police wagon and taken away. The whole operation took about 90 minutes.
Last night, Leys said they had been processed, fined, and released later in the day around 5:00 pm.
*****
Mike Ferner is a freelance writer from Ohio. He can be reached at: mike.ferner@sbcglobal.net
posted by Doc | 6:31 PM
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