02/06/08: Peace activists win dismissal of trespassing charges
Press advisory - CHARGES DISMISSED AGAINST ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS
Nukewatch
P.O. Box 649, Luck, Wisc. 54853
Contact 715-472-4185
February 7, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TRESPASS CHARGES AGAINST ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS DISMISSED
DULUTH, Minn. - Nine peace activists who were kept from making a pre-arranged visit to the offices of U.S. Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN) last September, and who were then arrested and jailed for refusing to leave the doorway of the Duluth Federal Building until they were allowed to in, had all trespass charges dismissed at the start of their St.
Louis County Court trial Wed., Feb. 6.
The defendants (Jay Newcomb, Joel Kilgour, Emily Gaarder, Ozone Bhaguan, Kristofer Dubbels, David Boulton, Peter Krause, all of Duluth, Lori Seele of Finland, and Nukewatch staffer John LaForge) had asked for the dismissal, alleging that the police had violated their constitutional rights to free speech and association, peaceful assembly and the redress of grievances. St. Louis County Court Judge Gerald Maher granted the motion. A 10^th defendant, Bonnie Urfer, also of Nukewatch, ignored court orders and had a warrant issued for her arrest Oct. 31, 2007.
Duluth City Attorney Bryan Brown said in a prepared statement to the court, "There was no violence, no threat of violence, no disrespect to Duluth officers, no threat to public safety or peace." The comment left unanswered questions as to why the defendants were barred from the building, then arrested, jailed and ordered to trial.
The Sept. 21 "Strike for Peace Day" incident occurred when Duluth police and Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents barred some people from entering the Federal Courthouse while allowing others in.
The arbitrary and discriminatory conduct of the police officials led to the defendants' two motions to dismiss.
Arguing in defense of the motion Feb. 6, LaForge said, "The police unlawfully prohibited our participation in our constitutionally guaranteed right to pursue a redress of grievances. Because individuals not identified by police officers were freely allowed to enter the federal building without harassment or interrogations regarding the nature of their business, the exclusion of the defendants was an arbitrary and unconstitutional violation of our rights."
The defendants are considering filing a civil suit against the City. -end-
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NUKEWATCH
PO BOX 649
LUCK WI 54853
715-472-4185
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