[Seattle-editorial] Feature Proposal: Peace Activists Arraigned--HTML version

[Gentry Lange]

I've added most of Sherri Herndon's edits, however, does anyone know if any
of these folks actually went to jail? Also, would be nice to clear up the
confusion about prison or jail (the confusion is my own, as the original
post doesn't tell me, and the two are different).---Gentry
<br><br>

Title: Seattle Peace Activists Arraigned
Subtitle: Growing Opposition to Iraq War

<p>On Nov. 7, at 8:45 am, in Federal District Ct, Western District, twelve
Seattle peace activists were arraigned in the courtroom of Judge
Martinez.</P>

<p>Their crime? On 9/25/02, the twelve activists were arrested for a civil
disobedience action at the Federal Building in Seattle. The activists staged
a protest in the offices of Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and were
subsequently charged with failure to obey the orders of federal officers
(Fed Bldg, Fed Officers). </P>

<p>At that time, neither of the Washington Senators had voiced their
intentions regarding how they would vote on the war referendum, nor had they
made any critical remarks publicly regarding its content. The activists
claim that since an escalation of the war on Iraq seemed an imminent
possibility, that this direct action was justified. </P>

<p>The twelve activists now face up to 30 days in jail (prison?), fines up
to $5,000 and a mandatory $5 "administrsative fee". Because the penalties
are so low, the court is not obliged to provide public defenders. (At the
time of this report only one defendant is known to have retained a
lawyer.)</P>

<p>All of the defendants are expected to sign a bond that stipulates a
promise to appear at the trial, if released. The bond requires the
defendants not to break further laws of any kind between arraignment and the
conclusion of the trial, which could be months away. If the defendants are
found to be in violation of the bond, the legal penalties become
increasingly severe. A few activists are planning not to sign the bond, as
they feel compelled by the imminent threat of war to perform further civil
disobedience and encourage others to do so. </P>

<p>The defendants include:
<ul><li>Peggy Wolf </li>
<li>Chris Pringer </li>
<li>Mike Yarrow </li>
<li>Ruth Yarrow </li>
<li>Peter Ilgenfritz </li>
<li>Andrew Fung </li>
<li>Nan McMurray </li>
<li>Shannon Turner-Covell </li>
<li>Anne Hall </li>
<li>Jean Buskin </li>
<li>John Repp </li>
<li>Jeff Gustafson </li></ul>

<p>A trial has been set for January 16, 2003 with Judge Weinberg, Room 3-B
of the old Federal Court Building, 1010 5th Avenue, Seattle.</p>

<p>For information about how to help the defendants, or for interested
media, contact Marcia Mullins (mmmullins2 at attbi.com). For information about
future civil disobedience actions, please email Mike Yarrow at the <a
href="http://www.forusa.org/"> Fellowship of Reconciliation</a>. (206)
789-5565, or email <a
href="mailto:wwfor at connectexpress.com">wwfor at connectexpress.com</a></p>

<p>
For information about upcoming protests and events <a
href="http://www.snowcoalition.org/?show=events"> snowcoalition.org</a></P>