The Gazette reports that 11 people who staged a sit-in at Senator Charles Grassley's Cedar Rapids office were found guilty of simple misdemeanor trespass by Magistrate Judge Jill Ableidinger. Sentencing will occur on June 5th.
Frank Cordaro of Des Moines, a former Catholic priest and seasoned activist, expressed disappointment in the judge's decision.
“A few brave judges need to side with the peacemakers and raise the larger issues of international law and the criminality of war making with the (Bush) Administration,” Codaro said.
It's been his experience that the judicial branch of the U.S. government sides with the executive branch in war making, Cordaro said. His first arrest dates back to a 1977 protest at the Pentagon.
“At the moment, our judicial system is not independent enough to act freely on its Constitutional obligation to uphold international treaties that are at odds with our national security state and the current war in Iraq,” Codaro said.
Update: David Goodner left this comment "In other news, close to one million people have died needlessly and without cause because of the invasion and occupation of Iraq." --
"And the sign said, you got to have a membership card to get inside" --from "Signs" by Arthur Thomas - Five Man Electrical Band/covered by Tesla
Showing posts with label Cedar Rapids 11. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cedar Rapids 11. Show all posts
Monday, May 14
Thursday, April 26
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
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
Wednesday, April 25
Cedar Rapids 11 - Update
From the Daily Iowan
Facing trial for a sit-in at the Cedar Rapids office of U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, 11 peace activists vowed at a press conference on Tuesday to step up their efforts to end the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
"I was against this war six months before it started … Iraq was not a threat to us, not a threat at all," UI student-protester David Goodner said. "You hear all of this pride and patriotism and hoo-hah after 9/11, and then you realize it's all a ruse."The protesters include a former Catholic priest, two UI students who served in Iraq, Goodner, five additional UI students, a UI employee, and an Iowa City resident. They were arrested Feb. 26 following a planned event at the Republican senator's Federal Building office in Cedar Rapids; the group pledged not to leave until Grassley, who in days prior had voted to cut off Senate debate on a potential troop pullout, communicated with them by phone.
Grassley, who was traveling most of that day, never called. The activists, charged with simple-misdemeanor criminal trespass, will be tried simultaneously today starting at 9 a.m. in the Linn County Courthouse. The defendants will enter joint not-guilty pleas.
Facing trial for a sit-in at the Cedar Rapids office of U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, 11 peace activists vowed at a press conference on Tuesday to step up their efforts to end the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
"I was against this war six months before it started … Iraq was not a threat to us, not a threat at all," UI student-protester David Goodner said. "You hear all of this pride and patriotism and hoo-hah after 9/11, and then you realize it's all a ruse."The protesters include a former Catholic priest, two UI students who served in Iraq, Goodner, five additional UI students, a UI employee, and an Iowa City resident. They were arrested Feb. 26 following a planned event at the Republican senator's Federal Building office in Cedar Rapids; the group pledged not to leave until Grassley, who in days prior had voted to cut off Senate debate on a potential troop pullout, communicated with them by phone.
Grassley, who was traveling most of that day, never called. The activists, charged with simple-misdemeanor criminal trespass, will be tried simultaneously today starting at 9 a.m. in the Linn County Courthouse. The defendants will enter joint not-guilty pleas.
Tuesday, April 24
Support the Cedar Rapids Eleven
From the School for Moral Courage
Press Conference by Eleven Arrested in CR 2/26 at 4:20
and Lecture by Kathy Kelly: Militant Pacifism: Lectures on Tactical Activism
Tuesday, April 24, 4:30 p.m.
Peace Center, Iowa City
Old Brick, first floor
26 E. Market St.
The eleven people who were arrested for trespassing, while protesting the Iraq War in Sen. Charles Grassley's office on February 26, will hold a press conference on April 24, at 4:20 p.m. at the Iowa City Peace Center. The group faces trial on April 25 in Linn County.
Those arrested were:
Frank Cordaro, Des Moines
Joshua Casteel, Iowa City
John Paul Hornbeck, Iowa City
David Goodner, Iowa City
Timothy Gauger, Iowa City
Megan Felt, Iowa City
Conor Murphy, Iowa City
Ryan Merz, Iowa City
Justin Riley, Iowa City
Rosemary Persaud, Iowa City
Andrew Alemao, Iowa City
Immediately following the press conference a lecture will be presented by well-known activist Kathy Kelly. Kelly is a founder of Voices for Creative Nonviolence in Chicago http://vcnv.org/ the principle organizer of the Occupation Project
http://vcnv.org/project/the-occupation-project
Kelly has been twice-nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and in 1990 was fined in federal court more than $200,000 for sending medical supplies to Iraq in violation of U.S. sanctions during the 1990s.
For More Info Contact:
Megan Felt
319-325-6751
Attorney Mary Wolfe
wolfelaw@aol.com
Press Conference by Eleven Arrested in CR 2/26 at 4:20
and Lecture by Kathy Kelly: Militant Pacifism: Lectures on Tactical Activism
Tuesday, April 24, 4:30 p.m.
Peace Center, Iowa City
Old Brick, first floor
26 E. Market St.
The eleven people who were arrested for trespassing, while protesting the Iraq War in Sen. Charles Grassley's office on February 26, will hold a press conference on April 24, at 4:20 p.m. at the Iowa City Peace Center. The group faces trial on April 25 in Linn County.
Those arrested were:
Frank Cordaro, Des Moines
Joshua Casteel, Iowa City
John Paul Hornbeck, Iowa City
David Goodner, Iowa City
Timothy Gauger, Iowa City
Megan Felt, Iowa City
Conor Murphy, Iowa City
Ryan Merz, Iowa City
Justin Riley, Iowa City
Rosemary Persaud, Iowa City
Andrew Alemao, Iowa City
Immediately following the press conference a lecture will be presented by well-known activist Kathy Kelly. Kelly is a founder of Voices for Creative Nonviolence in Chicago http://vcnv.org/ the principle organizer of the Occupation Project
http://vcnv.org/project/the-occupation-project
Kelly has been twice-nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and in 1990 was fined in federal court more than $200,000 for sending medical supplies to Iraq in violation of U.S. sanctions during the 1990s.
For More Info Contact:
Megan Felt
319-325-6751
Attorney Mary Wolfe
wolfelaw@aol.com
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