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View Full Version : Civil resistance to war today at the White House fence leads to 135 arrests.



astrid
17th December 2010, 12:44
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/7642244-video-135-choose-arrest-at-white-house-as-veteranled-civil-resistance-demands-stop-these-wars

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Today, in what was billed "the largest U.S. veteran-led civil resistance to war," hundreds of protesters took their demands for "Peace Now" to the fence of the White House. Police reportedly arrested 135 activists during the antiwar demonstration to "Stop These Wars" which culminated the Veterans for Peace gathering.

Among those arrested was Daniel Ellsberg, renowned military analyst who leaked the Pentigon Papers to the press during the Vietnam War era. Protesters attempted to chain themselves to the White House fence, but were charged with "failure to obey lawful order," a misdemeanor.

During the action the protesters also "delivered" postcards to President Obama, who they said did not accommodate their request to meet with him personally to hear their grievances. The activists sailed the postcards over the White House fence, through the wintry Washington afternoon air. See video of the action (above).

The protesters' rally at Lafayette Park this morning drew at least 500. Speakers attacked the war and defended WikiLeaks and Bradley Manning, the army officer suspected of leaking secret State Department cables to the website.

The list of those slated to speak included such notables as: Daniel Brian Becker, National Coordinator, ANSWER coalition; Peace Mom Cindy Sheehan, Peace of the Action; Ray McGovern, retired CIA officer and former U.S. Army Intelligence officer; Mike Ferner, president, Veterans For Peace; Diane Wilson, environmental activist and author of An Unreasonable Woman; Debra Sweet, Director, World Can't Wait; Mike Prysner, Iraq vet, cofounder of March Forward!, MedeaMedea Benjamin, co-founder Code Pink and others.

The conducted followed directives of nonviolent resistance. Although noisy, it was peaceful.

The event flier reads: Take a stand for peace! Not another day! Not another dollar! Not another life! Peace on Earth? Mr. Obama, end these wars! Not tomorrow. Not next year. Now!

Martin
17th December 2010, 13:43
Thanks! I even feel a little bit more like christmas now. :tea:

Martin

Caren
17th December 2010, 15:08
Thanks Astrid for bringing this to light. I truly commend and applaud these veterans and their supporters for their antiwar demonstration at the White House fence. They were expressing their resistance to war and demanding "Peace Now". Bravo! We need to see more of these peaceful gatherings; not only in America but other countries as well.
"Among those arrested was Daniel Ellsberg, renowned military analyst who leaked the Pentigon Papers to the press during the Vietnam war era." Obviously a very brave man with a conscious and a good soul.

Ahkenaten
17th December 2010, 22:03
No one can say it is "just those young hippies" etc. It is plain to see it is the oldsters standing up and doing the protesting, old vets, family members and friends, too! Merry Christmas people! Warms the cockles of the heart, so to speak!!

yiolas
17th December 2010, 23:03
I cried watching this. There should have been thousands of people out there in front of the White House. It just seems that its too little too late.
God help us all.

Sol Va
8th January 2011, 00:09
I forgot to mention on the prayer thread, protesting against war is a prayer too.

Thanks Astrid, the video is heartening.