Cedar Rapids 11 Verdict On Hold

From the Daily Iowan

The 11 protesters who were arrested outside the Cedar Rapids office of Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, argued Wednesday that they had a constitutional right to remain there until receiving an appropriate response from the senator by either telephone or in person.

Prosecutors contend that the protesters stayed on the premises illegally after-hours and that police gave several warnings for the group to leave during their Feb. 26 sit-in.

Sitting in creaking wooden chairs atop burgundy carpeting, the 11 protesters went on trial on misdemeanor trespassing charges on Wednesday. Instead of individual trials, the group members decided to lump their cases together and plead not guilty.

The prosecution's first witness, U.S. Marshal Timothy Junker, said he saw the protest shortly after it began and stayed until Cedar Rapids police arrested the group nearly three hours later.

"Each took his or her turn calmly going [into Grassley's office] and airing grievances," he said. "But because the senator was in D.C. and there was no way for him to get there by a reasonable time, their request obviously couldn't be met."

Cedar Rapids police Sgt. Timothy Camp pointed out that when he arrived on the scene, roughly 20 people were "peacefully" picketing outside the Federal Building in Cedar Rapids, where Grassley's office is housed. Camp testified that during the arrests, "everybody complied and were very cooperative."

Coming from a domestic-abuse stabbing, Camp said that city police needed to respond to several vehicle accidents that resulted in injuries.

"It was exceedingly busy, and I didn't want this situation to tie us up all day," he said.

Meanwhile, the defense asked to dismiss the criminal charges on the grounds that the prosecution didn't adequately support its case. Also, protesters argued that Grassley did not sufficiently address the group's concerns.

From the Gazette

The atmosphere inside the Linn County Courthouse is almost festive today
where 11 war protesters on trial for misdemeanor trespass charges and a couple of dozen supporters have gathered.

The 11 were arrested Feb. 26 in the federal courthouse, 101 First Ave. SE, just outside of Sen. Grassley's office. They sat in the hallway there waiting to speak about the war to Grassley, who was in Washington, D.C. that day.

U.S. Marshal Timothy Junker testified about the peacefulness of the protestors that afternoon. Protestors were asked to leave the courthouse when it closed to the public at 5 p.m., and while some left, the 11 stayed until Cedar Rapids police arrested them. Two Cedar Rapids police officers testified that the 11 did not resist arrest.

The trial continues at 12:30 p.m. with testimony expected from a few protestors who will speak on behalf of the entire group.

Due to the size of the group, the trial had to be moved to a larger fourth-floor courtroom.

Magistrate Judge Jill Ableidinger may not rule on the cases today, but instead issue a written ruling at a later date.

Updated: Also see The School for Moral Courage Coverage