For Mike, here are two things from Democracy Now! that we need to know about.
Non-Violent Anti-War Activists Face Conspiracy Charges (Democracy Now!)
Here in this country, Four anti-war activists go on trial today in Binghamton New York on federal conspiracy charges for taking part in a non-violent act of civil disobedience protesting the Iraq war. The activists - known as the Saint Patrick's Day Four - face up to six years in prison, a period of probation and $275,000 in fines. It marks the first federal conspiracy trial of antiwar protesters since the Vietnam War. On March 17, 2003, two days before the Iraq invasion, Daniel Burns, Clare Grady, Teresa Grady and Peter De Mott, were arrested inside the Army recruiting station in Lansing New York after they had poured vials of blood on the walls, windows and American flags. They were originally charged in state court with criminal mischief but the judge declared a hung jury after 9 of the 12 jurors voted for acquittal. The federal government then upped the charges to conspiracy to impede an officer of the United States "by force, intimidation and threat" as well as three lesser charges. Law Professor Bill Quigley, who is advising the four protesters, said there is concern that this case will set a precedent for nonviolent protesters across the country to be charged with federal conspiracy. To coincide with the trial, activists in Binghamton are staging A Citizens' Tribunal on Iraq.
U.S. Death Toll in Iraq Tops 1900 (Democracy Now!)
Meanwhile the U.S. death toll since the invasion has now topped 1,900
So what we have is violence continuing in Iraq (as it will, check out C.I.'s "Other Items" from Saturday and read the part on Iraq) while at the same time our government tries peace activists. The wrong people are standing trial. Our priorities are out of tune with our beliefs. 1900. Official count. We don't count the Iraqis. Why? Because they don't count to the administration?
Our priorities are out of tune with our beliefs.
"Peace Quotes" (Peace Center)
Peace begins when the hungry are fed.
Anonymous
