11/16/05: Area Woman, Sheehan To Demand Trial
Area Woman, Sheehan To Demand Trial
The Capital Times :: FRONT :: 6A
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
A Monona woman was expected to join war protester Cindy Sheehan and more than 100 others today to demand a trial for demonstrating without a permit outside the White House during a September protest.
Joy First, along with Madison women Janet Parker and Susan Spahn, was among about 370 arrested outside the White House on Sept. 26 during a weekend of protest that drew more than 100,000 people to Washington. Those arrested got $50 tickets, and authorities charged them with protesting without a permit. All were released.
First is contesting the charge because she believes the charge infringes on her right to free speech, she said in prepared remarks she planned to deliver in court today.
In the statement, she denounces as lies government claims that the war was necessary because Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and ties to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.