Dozens arrested at Pentagon this morning

[whatelseisnew]

Democracy Now

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/09/26/1434233

We get a breaking report from peace activist Frida Berrigan who is at the Pentagon, where she has just been arrested along with roughly 40 others while demonstrating.

(edited to add another link)

http://www.nbc4.com/news/5020239/detail.html

Related To Story

War Protesters Arrested Outside Pentagon

More Demonstrations Planned For Monday

POSTED: 10:50 am EDT September 26, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Police say about 41 protesters were arrested during a rally outside the Pentagon Metro Station Monday morning.

Authorities said the rally began about 7 a.m. They said the protesters that were arrested were charged with blocking an exit at the Metro stop that led to the Pentagon.

And more war protests are expected in downtown D.C.

U.S. Park Police spokesman Sgt. Scott Fear said several hundred people are expected to march down 16th Street to the Ellipse around noon.

[snappyturtle]

1. oh, NO!

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[htuttle]

3. Don't worry -- I'm pretty sure that was the plan

I know they were planning several Civil Disobedience actions this week in DC. Arrest would be one of the expected outcomes if that was the case.

Glad some of the Berrigans are there.

[deutsey]

4. From what I understand, this was indeed part of the plan

[politick]

28. Yes

Today was the day for Direct Action. Saturday and Sunday was for the families and fun.

[Up2Late]

8. Yes, but have they tested the post-Abu Greb/GTMO * justice dept...

...yet? I other words, have any protest like this happened, and then the protesters are treated like they would have been pre-*'s torture is OKey doa-key?:shrug:

[0007]

16. Gold Stars Kudos for the Berrigans

[MADem]

17. Uh, today is CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE DAY--day 3

This is deliberate, don't worry.

[Helga Scow Stern]

2. Wow.

[kestrel91316]

5. Look out! I bet they get declared terrorists and enemy combatants

and get whisked away to parts unknown with no legal counsel, no trial, and arenever heard from again. This is just the sort of thing the * administration is looking for to set an example - how DARE they protest at the Pentagon???

[KansDem]

7. Don't worry, they'll be freed as a gesture to mark Christmas...

...a "goodwill gesture."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1805935

:sarcasm:


But really, doesn't this sound so "third-world country?" I mean, how many times growing up did we hear about some far-away land "freeing" somebody or somebodies as a "good-will gesture?"

[Dhalgren]

10. This is one of the problems with Civil disobedience when

practiced against fascists who control the media. They really could be "disappeared" and there is nothing anyone could (or would) do about it. Just look at how many "opposition" reporters have been killed by US forces in Iraq and elsewhere; we are dealing with fascists who are accountable to no one...

[Demeter]

29. They Can't Disappear a Whole Country

And if that's what it takes to move these fascists out, then I'm game.

[Dhalgren]

35. With courage like yours, we may just beat these fucks.

Thanks...

[jazzjunkysue]

40. We won't forget and we will do something if they disappear

Iraq is different. These soldier's mothers will not be forgotten.

[whatever4]

15. Problem is

Problem is, that really could happen, legally, and there is NOTHING anyone can do about it, IF they even hear about it. People just disappear, with no one to blame, how can that be fought?

Used to be illegal. Search and seizure. Now, those right have been suspended. Until the "war" is over. Which will be when? When does "terror" end? I guess when we strike it out of the dictionary. Until then, the most effective activists can easily and permanently disappear, and if they do, we'll likely never know to where or by whom.

It just DOESN'T MATTER if it hasen't happened, or hasn't happened yet. Fact is, removal of persons is within their legal right now, and when convenient, it WILL be used. Simply because it can be used. These people like their spies and lies and WE are the enemy.

Our nation. Under their god. Be afraid.

[kestrel91316]

44. Just remember this one thing: there's always "monkeywrenching".........

[doublethink]

24. Try 'Universal Adversary' ...

I was wondering when the Administration was going to get the chance to pull this term out of the Fascist war chest. It's along the same line of thinking as 'Enemy Combatant' but in their explanation can be used against anyone in a non-combatant zone. We shall see. Peace.

[tyedyeto]

6. This was planned

The website at United for Peace and Justice didn't mention the Pentagon but they have non-violent civil disobedience planned for today.

[librechik]

36. yes let's all hope that the case is NOT dismissed

we get a trial and subpoena powers.

Sheehan vs US

[skypilot]

9. Don't DO that.

When I read your suject line I thought you meant dozens of Pentagon EMPLOYEES. I immediately envisioned Donald Rumsfeld doing a perp walk.

[yellowcanine]

12. Hah. Dream on.

[yellowcanine]

11. Is it too much to hope that they ruined Rummy's day?

[uppityperson]

13. Good. Civil disobedience.

Good job.

[whatelseisnew]

14. Another source regarding the arrests

http://www.nbc4.com/news/5020239/detail.html

Related To Story

War Protesters Arrested Outside Pentagon

More Demonstrations Planned For Monday

POSTED: 10:50 am EDT September 26, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Police say about 41 protesters were arrested during a rally outside the Pentagon Metro Station Monday morning.

Authorities said the rally began about 7 a.m. They said the protesters that were arrested were charged with blocking an exit at the Metro stop that led to the Pentagon.

And more war protests are expected in downtown D.C.

U.S. Park Police spokesman Sgt. Scott Fear said several hundred people are expected to march down 16th Street to the Ellipse around noon.

[peacetalksforall]

18. It's beginning to sound like Hitler's Germany. OK, were they really

blocking the exit? Let's have the photos.

Were the cops for real or were they Blackwater employees?

[whatelseisnew]

19. DC Indymedia Report

http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/130425/index.php
 
25 Activists arrested at the Pentagon this morning in a direct action. Others asked to have their bags searched; Pentagon Metro station apparently closed down momentarily.
This morning, 25 activists have been arrested at the Pentagon, taking part in a direct action sponsored by the NYC chapter of the War Resisters' League. Several other groups supported the action, among them the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker's, DC Anti-War Network, and Socialist Party USA.

A group of 6 were arrested right outside the Pentagon Metro; another 19 arrested on a side entrance along one side of it.

While this was going on, a weekly vigil against war was going on, as some in the WRL fliered (which is apparently not allowed at this location).

Pentagon police approached some activists, including me, who were wearing backpacks. They asked to search the backpacks, citing that since it was federal property that they were allowed to conduct searches and seizures. However, the activists refused to have their bags searched. One bystander, who was not initially approached, came in and offered to show the bags. I don't recall whether police were interested. I walked away to grab some more observers. Within a minute, police backed down.

However, the longer we stayed, the more police approached, surrounding the vigil. At that point, I decided to leave, getting ready for another action later today (report to come).

After leaving the Metro station to catch a bus, I heard over the speakers, "Pentagon Metro closed due to a police situation." Apparently, according to witnesses, a brigade of police followed a couple activists leaving by Metro. They were not arrested. It's not clear whether this was the moment that the station was closed, but it seems likely due to the timing.

We do not know the charges against the arrestees. Most often, the arrestees face charges of disorderly conduct and are shortly released. According to one activist who goes down their regularly, usually charges are dropped after a court appearance. In the past, though, some have faced 3 to 6 months in prison for the same charges. If anything on their status changes, we will report it.

The police did some of the work for the protesters, blocking off one of the main entrances to the Pentagon, as the protest happened. When the 6 were arrested, there was a moment when access to and from the Metro station was completely blocked off. Had UFPJ done the mass action at the Pentagon, there might have been an interesting amount of disruption. With very small numbers of activists, the amount of disruption was surprisingly high.

[htuttle]

21. A small amount of non-cooperation can cause a large amount of disruption

Let this be a lesson. The machine doesn't work unless we cooperate with it. A few dozen people saying 'No' and meaning it can make a big difference.

[jazzjunkysue]

41. And get press coverage.....

[WinkyDink]

38. I know police and security can search

people when they are PAYING TO ENTER private property.
But just on the street?
It doesn't matter if it's "federal property".
Again, as with Cindy, there are lawsuits a-brimming here.
You heard it here first.
Or, actually, back in the John Mitchell days. Dang, those were some nice monetary compensations by the arresting Feds!!

[sakabatou]

20. Didn't they use the same excuse 6 years ago...

when protesters were at Bush's door in Texas?

[anotherdrew]

22. damn, I was hoping they finally rounded up rumsfailed and crew

[dooner]

23. Press Release from war resisters.org about Pentagon protests

WAR RESISTERS TO NONVIOLENTLY
SHUT DOWN PENTAGON ENTRANCES,
MON., SEPTEMBER 26, 7:00 AM

September 26, 2005
Contact: Tom Good, [phone]
John Lake, [phone]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON - As workers arrive at the Pentagon on Monday morning, September 26, members of activist affinity groups organized through the War Resisters League will nonviolently impede their entrance, encouraging them not to participate in the war machine.

The action, which will begin at 7am, will take place two days following the September 24 mass march and rally against the war in Washington, DC. It is intended to encourage Pentagon workers to join antiwar activists in shutting down the Pentagon. Organizers say the action will be separate from, but in solidarity with the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Community, which has maintained a weekly vigil at the Pentagon for 18 years.

"We will share our stories with Pentagon employees, telling them what brought us to the conviction that the war is terrorism with a bigger budget," says WRL Affinity Group member Amy Bauer, "and challenge them to look into the faces of the victims. We will be wearing the faces of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and
of Iraqis living and dying under war and occupation on our clothing."

Organizers say they hope their action will encourage other peace activists to focus their attention on the Pentagon as a source of terrorism and violence rather than as a guarantor of security. They also hope to reach out to victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks who have found their grief exploited by the Bush administration's drive to war.

"We know that many of those working at the Pentagon survived the 9/11 attack that killed more than 100 employees," says WRL member John Lake, "Some employees have friends and family who have been injured or killed in Iraq or remain in harm's way. We know how scary that is. Many of us are from New York City and remain deeply affected by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. In the immediate aftermath, we knew that 'our grief is not a cry for war.'"

Believing war to be a crime against humanity, the War Resisters League, founded in 1923, advocates Gandhian nonviolence as the method for creating a democratic society free of war, racism, sexism, and human exploitation. www.warresisters.org

[Mabus]

25. arrests at white house today too

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4889808

cnn reporting.

[maddezmom]

26. thanks...CNNI not reporting

[Mabus]

27. CNN just reported - Cindy has been arrested. n/t

[Mabus]

30. link to current WH arrest discussion - not a lot of details

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4889808

[truthisfreedom]

31. rats. when i read the subject i thought it was a massive housecleaning of

corrupt bushco appointments.

[donkeyotay]

37. That was my take, too. I thought it was good news until

I read they were arrested outside.

[WVRevy]

32. They should have done their homework.

Simple fact...the big shots at the Pentagon do not enter from the friggin' metro entrance. Instead, that would be the much lower ranking airmen, seamen, marines, and soldiers that don't have a CHOICE about where they go to work every day.

I worked in that building for five years while I was in the air force, and took the metro to work every day for the last two years of that time. Blocking that entrance is just plain stupid. It bothers none of the higher-ups because they all use the "river" entrance on the other side of the building.

All this protest did was inconvenience a bunch of people that might have already agreed with our side of the argument. I'll be surprised if the "higher ups" are even briefed about it, other than maybe as a joke.

[Kolesar]

33. I think they are doing it for the TV coverage

I am sure the primary goal is to keep the story of the War in Iraq and its opponents in the headlines.

[terip64]

34. And it is working! WHoo Hoo!!

[jazzjunkysue]

42. But this got the press, and the story. The back door wouldn't.

They were making a statement for the press, and it worked. Good going, you brave patriots.

These murderers forget that after you take someone's child away, they don't have much more to lose. A couple of hours/days in a police prescinct jail? It feels good to have some concrete representation of the pain you feel inside. Good for them.

:hug:

[WhiteTara]

39. I understand from organizers that 50

were arrested. As we were marching to the WH, 2 young people came running to join up with the marchers with their Pentagon arrest papers in hand as they planned to be arrested again in front of the WH. The youngest arrestee that I saw was probably about 16 years old. I was very proud of all these brave patriots.

[jazzjunkysue]

43. Good for you. Thank you. The administration are a bunch of weenies.

You are the brave ones. We applaud you all.
:hug: