Anti-War Protesters Arrested Near Capitol

Lycos News ^ | 3/12/03

[areafiftyone]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Four people protesting war in Iraq were arrested Thursday after trying to enter the Capitol via an entrance closed to the public.

The group approached officers blocking the steps on the West side of the building, allowing themselves to be arrested. Their hands bound in plastic handcuffs, they were escorted away while the remaining protesters cheered them on.

The action starts a weeklong campaign in Washington by anti-war activists committing nonviolent acts of civil disobedience. Calling it a last resort as the United States heads closer to war in Iraq, activists plan to stage acts of civil disobedience at government and Congressional offices starting Monday.

Preceding the arrests were speeches denouncing President Bush's drive toward using military force in Iraq. Holding enlarged photos of Iraqis, about 20 people gathered with the Capitol as a scenic backdrop.

At one point they were drowned out by dozens of middle schoolers from Broussard, La., singing "God Bless America," who were waiting to take a group picture on the same spot.

Arrested were Kelly Campbell, whose brother-in-law died in the Pentagon, Nancy Lessin, whose stepson is a Marine stationed in the Persian Gulf, Molly McGrath and Bob Wing.

[xm177e2]

Nancy Lessin, whose stepson is a Marine stationed in the Persian Gulf

This must be SOOO embarrassing for that guy...

[Catspaw]

At one point they were drowned out by dozens of middle schoolers from Broussard, La., singing "God Bless America," who were waiting to take a group picture on the same spot.

I'm so proud of these kids!!

[Humidston]

*Musing to self*

WHY is it their side can't play by the rules?

....Brats!

[discostu]

Getting arrested for trespassing and paying a fine isn't civil disobedience, it's stupid. Pay a Fine for Peace! Nah, doesn't work for me.

[Brasil]

We must always, truthfully, call these idiots Anti-Bush instead of the 'nobler' sounding Anti-war protesters.

[dirtboy]

Nancy Lessin, whose stepson is a Marine stationed in the Persian Gulf

Well, she ain't a blood relative, so he got his brains and good looks from his pappy, not from this twit.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

call them PRO SADDAM & PRO TERRORISTS!

[danneskjold]

At one point they were drowned out by dozens of middle schoolers from Broussard, La., singing "God Bless America," who were waiting to take a group picture on the same spot.

Way to go LA!!! Makes me proud...

[areafiftyone]

Believe me this is mild. These people are planning on alot more stuff. They are starting to move slowly towards violence as you can see by other posts. The Communists took over Western Europe by violence and they will try and take over this country too by violence. And they have alot of willing idiots who are brainwashed into thinking this is a true peace march and this will stop the war. Apparently they don't know or Don't Want to Know that these organizations are just a front for Communist organizations.

[TLBSHOW]

Good news and a warning to other commies!

[abnegation]

Just goes to show that every family has an idiot.

[smadurski]

Im sure our friends at DU will say this is more proof of a nazi state brought to us by Bush.

[fella]

"WHY is it their side can't play by the rules? "

Because rule are made by them (the elite) for us (the little people). They have their own set of living rules that can be changed at any time without notice to suit their whims.

[ConservativeConvert]

The media should never have sanitized the images from 911. The films of people leaping to their deaths should have been shown in their entirety...including the horrific effect of such a fall. The sight of American bodies exploded on the pavement may have brought home the nightmare to those who don't get it...maybe then they'd be holding pictures of dead Americans instead of Iraqis.

[punster]

Do you suppose there is seating on any of the cruise missiles. That way those protesters can have a close up view of the war, and be able to give eye-witness testimony concerning the accuracy of the missiles.

[Ga Rob]

I think Thoreau would be laughing in their faces. They make a mockery out of true civil disobedience most notably the true Civil Rights movement of the 60's.

[Jonah Hex]

At one point they were drowned out by dozens of middle schoolers from Broussard, La., singing "God Bless America," who were waiting to take a group picture on the same spot.

That is so COOL!!!

[Humidston]

I know it's happening. IMHO, they're spoiled lazy kids on the streets. Bring back visions of Kent State! Teach those lazy, disrespectful kids a lesson in respect!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

At one point they were drowned out by dozens of middle schoolers from Broussard, La., singing "God Bless America," who were waiting to take a group picture on the same spot.

Arrested were Kelly Campbell, whose brother-in-law died in the Pentagon, Nancy Lessin, whose stepson is a Marine stationed in the Persian Gulf

Dang.. those kids just made me extremely PROUD!! They knew WHAT they needed to do to counter these protestors and were doing it in a peaceful meaningful way, and the fact that they DROWNED out the anti-American protestors sends a clear message, one shared by so many of us!! Wish I could thank those kids myself!

As to the protestors who were arrested. One of their family members was stationed at the Pentagon, KILLED by TERRORISTS..and they don't get it?? I can only attribute this kind of ignorance and disrespect for their loved one to grief. But the stepmom of the Marine, well she should be ashamed!!! I'm sure her son and his brothers and sisters in the Marines would set her straight in a heartbeat!! Her stepson is putting his life on the line for HER and all of us, and she is out there protesting their service and our country? Thank GOD her stepson is braver than she is...

People like her need to read this quote:

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.

~~ John Stuart Mill ~~