03/05/07: More peace activists arrested at Obey's office
More peace activists arrested at Obey's office
By DJ Slater
Wausau Daily Herald
dslater@wdhprint.com March 6, 2007
For the second time in a week, Wausau police arrested peace activists at U.S. Rep. Dave Obey's local office after four sit-in protesters refused to leave his office when it closed at 5 p.m. Monday.
Seeking a commitment from Obey to deny additional funding for the war in Iraq, Joy First, 52, of Madison and Erin Cox, 26, Ron Durham, 26, and Jeff Leys, 42, all of Chicago, chose to be arrested on disorderly conduct charges at Obey's downtown office in the U.S. Bank building.
Obey's district director, Doug Hill, and Lt. Ben Bliven of the Wausau Police Department each gave the protesters a chance to leave before the arrests were made.
"I don't like getting arrested, but ... we have to do everything we can to make the strongest possible statement to bring this horrific war to an end," said First, a member of the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice. "That's why I'm willing to risk my personal safety and freedom."
Six activists arrived at Obey's office at 2 p.m. to express their concerns with Hill, who spoke to the group for about 45 minutes.
Their purpose, First said, was to persuade Obey to work harder and pledge to deny additional federal funding for the war, including money for troops' armor and supplies. The House likely will vote this month on President Bush's request for an additional $100 million in supplementary war aid.
Hill said he would submit their comments to Obey. The activists then proceeded to the office lobby, where they read the names of fallen soldiers for about two hours before the police arrived.
Obey's press secretary, Ellis Brachman, said there is no "magic wand" that can change the current situation. History, he said, has shown that ending an unpopular war takes time.
By 8 p.m. Monday, the four protesters had been released from Marathon County Jail on $150 signature bonds.