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

[Susan]

Hi Gentry,

Great idea for a feature.   Let's make it shorter: 2-3 paragraphs should be 
fine, with links to other resources below.  I can help edit a bit later, 
when I'm down at the IMC (2ish-6pm).  I've cc'd Ericka Kay, who's familiar 
with the group involved, and Jean Buskin, who was one of those arraigned.

good one!

I'll post the JwJ feature, and then when yours is ready and approved we can 
put it on top.  I wonder if anyone took photos at the arraignment?

- Susan

At 12:50 PM 11/8/02, Gentry Lange wrote:
>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>
>
>
>
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