|
Comment on this article |
Email this Article
|
|
News :: Protest Activity |
|
Des Moines, Ia. Protest |
Current rating: 3 |
by lesforde
Email: lesforde (nospam) gatewoodnet.com (verified) |
27 Oct 2002
|
Oct.26 protest in Des Moines, Iowa
This arrticle was forwarded to me. |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 26, 2002
Contact: City of Des Moines Police Department
(for current status of 13 prisoners) 515-283-4824
Thirteen people arrested at
Iowa Air National Guard base in Des Moines
DES MOINES - Thirteen people were arrested, cheered on by a crowd of more
than 100, for setting up a blockade at the Iowa Air National Guard Saturday.
The protest was directed towards the role of the 132nd Iowa Air Wing in
patrolling the "no-fly zones" in Northern Iraq.
"This is an act of crime prevention," said Brian Terrell, director of the
Catholic Peace Ministry. "The no fly zones are illegal, they constitute
crimes against the peace, because they are not authorized by the UN Security
Council. This is recognized around the world and today we get the news to
our brothers and sisters in Iowa."
Brian Turner, a student at Grinnell University, said he was inspired by the
legacy of Senator Paul Wellstone. "One of Paul's last votes was in
opposition to war against Iraq," Turner said.
At 1:30 pm Saturday, hundreds of people opposing war against Iraq will meet
at Nollen Plaza and march to the jail downtown in solidarity with those
arrested.
In March, 2000, 22 people were arrested and on April, 2001, 11 people were
arrested at the same base. They were charged with criminal trespass,
received ban and bar letters, and spent one night in jail.
Arrested Saturday were two veterans from Des Moines, Bill Basinger and
Richard Flamer; Bill Douglas of Des Moines; Chris Gaunt and Brian Turner of
Grinnell, IA; Nicholos Lethinton, Mike Faris, and Jon Meier, students at
Iowa State University in Ames; Brian Terrell, Maloy, IA; Mark Kenney, Omaha,
Nebraska; and Eileen Hanson of St. Paul, Minnesota.
The message delivered to the 132nd Iowa Air Wing of the Air National Guard
read as follows:
We are here as concerned citizens of Iowa. The current policy of "no fly
zones" over Iraq, which you are scheduled to enforce, violates international
laws as codified by the UN Security Council. We recognize that you did not
create this policy. Neither did we. Rather than increasing our security, we
believe this policy of aggression increases our vulnerability. If our nation
continues to live by the sword, we will die by the sword. We don't want you
to kill or be killed in our name. Iowans have a responsibility to resist
this illegal war. That's why we are here today. We appeal to your
conscience. You took an oath to uphold the constitution. Please resist these
illegal and immoral orders. |
