11-2-07: Joy First reports on East Towne Mall die in

Dear Friends,

Seven Madison, WI area peace activists were arrested at East Towne Mall speaking out against the war and occupation of Iraq.  The seven were Bonnie Block, Father Jim Murphy, Jamie Haack, Susan Spahn, Conor Murphy, Jean McElhaney, and Joy First.  We chose to speak out against the war and occupation at a local shopping mall, a symbol of the materialism and corporate power that has led to the war and occupation of Iraq. 

About 30 people gathered in the area of the food court beginning about 1:30.  I became very nervous as we waited.  The mall and the police had been alerted to our action the day before when a member of the media contacted them after receiving a press release.  Both the mall manager and the police had called me the day before.  They were watching as we gathered.  I was worried that they would try to stop us before we even began the action.  At 2:00 pm we came together in a circle.  Immediately, the head of mall security came up to the group accompanied by Madison police.  They said that we could not be there, and if we continued with our activity we would be arrested. 

We continued our action in spite of the warnings.  Two members of the group began to read names of Iraqis and US soldiers who have died.  Other individuals were holding banners.  The seven individuals who were risking arrest quickly moved to the center of the circle and lay down on the floor.  We were covered with a white shroud and a red rose was placed on the shroud.  We lay there for just a minute or so when the police came and started arresting those laying on the floor.  I believe the police told those reading names and those holding the banners to stop or they would also be arrested.  The arresting officer held our arm, accompanying us to a back room at the mall where several officers were waiting to write up the citations.

We were charged with unlawful trespassing and given a fine of $424.  This was a much larger fine than we expected.  We will go to court and contest the charges. The whole thing was over in 15 minutes. 

This action was one of the most difficult and intense actions we have done in Madison in awhile.  We were definitely in a place where we were not wanted.

We will continue to speak out against the illegal and immoral war in Iraq until the war ends and the real criminals are brought to justice.

See a video of the action at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdlJvhxD15U

See pictures of the action at http://www.flickr.com/photos/17585434@N02/sets/72157602861956533/

In peace and resistance,

Joy First