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

Fri Nov 8 14:04:47 PST 2002

One correction/clarification about this, a couple of comments and an answer:
- Answer: all defendents are walking free, on personal recognisance ("PR") pending their trial in Jan
- Correction/clarification: the expectation about having to sign an appearance bond is in the past tense... that might have happened at the arraignment and several activists had been prepared for jail had that happened.  INSTEAD, what happened was the answer above, ie, they "PR"ed and not required to sign the appearance bond. (I got it right??? jean???)
- Comments FYI: 
1)To me, one big piece of this story (or maybe something separate) is the community support for this action.  An overflow crowd of more than 50 supporters filled the courtroom in solidarity with the defendents and against the war in Iraq.
2) Thought it kind of interesting/ironic/even cool (in the absurd sense of the word) that the defendents were asked to be seated in the JURY box during their arraignment...first "jury of peers" I've ever witnessed (tee hee).  ironic especially since the prosecution chose to charge them (they didn't have to) with a "crime" (a class C misdemeanor) that neither gives them the right to a jury trial nor a public defense attorney, even if they would have qualified financially. so, they all either need to pay an attorney in addition to any fines is found guilty or defend themselves (go "pro se").  Am I the only one?  Just thought it was kind of amusing:  if they get to sit in the jury box and have to defend themselves, why not just let them judge themselves too? :-}  sorry...just the way my silly brain works.
3) to clarify about the "denial" of public defense:  again, the particular charge (Failure to comply with the lawful order of a federal protective service officer  or something close) means they aren't entitled to having the state pay for their defense. BUT one of the defendents asked for clarification and we learned that the rule does allow the magistrate some discretion about this so what Judge Martinez did was assign a public defender (Paula Deutsch) to advise (NOT represent) anyone of the group who can't afford an attorney as they build their pro se defense.

HOpe this helps or is at least of some interest...
E
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Susan 
  To: g at art13.com ; Seattle-Editorial 
  Cc: Ericka Kay ; Jean Buskin 
  Sent: Friday, November 08, 2002 1:19 PM
  Subject: Re: [Seattle-editorial] Feature Proposal: Peace Activists Arraigned--HTML version

  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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