Protestor throws shoes at City of Ithaca NY Common Council Mtg

[Muttocracy]

Long story at link:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20090205/NEWS01/902050344/1002

Protester throws shoe at Peterson during city meeting

By Krisy Gashler • [e-mail] • February 5, 2009

ITHACA - A protester dressed in his 1950s-era military uniform threw his shoes at Mayor Carolyn Peterson and brought Common Council's Wednesday night meeting to an almost hour-long standstill, insisting that he wanted to be arrested in protest over the Council's position against the "immoral wars" in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Long-time Ithacan and former Weather Underground member Robin Palmer began speaking at about 7:15 p.m., near the beginning of Council's privilege of the floor, during which any citizen may speak on any topic.

Palmer handed out packets of information on the U.S.S. Indianapolis, a Navy vessel sunk during World War II; Common Council's Community of Sanctuary resolution, which asserts Ithaca's commitment to protect the rights of military personnel protesting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; and a statement addressed to the editor of The Ithaca Journal titled "Who were the terrorists? And who are the unrepentant?"

Palmer then addressed the Council, saying he was drafted in Ithaca in 1952 and was honorably discharged two years later. He then stated, "I'm here to protest the Community of Sanctuary Resolution."

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Peterson then told Palmer that his time was up, to which Palmer replied, "I know it is."

He then reached into a bag, pulled out two shoes and hurled one at Alderman J.R. Clairborne, D-2nd, and another at Peterson. The first shoe flew between Clairborne and Alderman Eric Rosario, I-2nd. The second fell short of the Mayor. Several Council members pushed their chairs away from Palmer while Clairborne and Aldermen Svante Myrick, D-4th, stood and began to approach Palmer. There were roughly 30 people in the city hall audience.

Palmer pulled another shoe from his bag and waved it at Council members, asking "Who wants another one?"

Ithaca Police Officer Brad Nelson, who has attended virtually every Common Council meeting since an incident in February 2008 when a gunman killed five people in a Missouri city hall, approached Palmer and placed his arm around him, attempting to calm him.

Palmer continued to shout at the Council members, then Peterson informed Palmer that Nelson is the son of Diann Sams, nephew of Robert Carrol Sams. Palmer looked surprised and greeted Nelson, smiling.

Palmer then said, "I want my shoes back."

"You're not getting your shoes back," Peterson responded.

Palmer said, "I'm not getting them back? Then I'm not leaving."

He sat down and insisted he would not leave until he was arrested.

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By 8:15 p.m., Bangs Ambulance personnel arrived and, with Ithaca Police officers, escorted Palmer from the room and aided him into an ambulance.

Mimi Palmer said he had not been arrested and was being taken to the hospital.

In his statement, Palmer said he had personally placed a bomb in the Criminal Court House in New York City as a member of the Weather Underground. He also participated in the 1971 Attica prison uprising.

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