Judge orders ERA activist who exposed breast outside Capitol held without bond until trial
By PATRICK WILSON Richmond Times-Dispatch 5 hrs ago

A Richmond judge ordered a New York activist who exposed her breast outside the Capitol during a protest in support of the Equal Rights Amendment to remain in jail without bond on a misdemeanor charge of indecent exposure until her court date on March 21.

Holding someone without bond on a nonviolent misdemeanor is unusual. Supporters of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment said Michelle Renay Sutherland, 45, is a political prisoner.

Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Herring said by email late Wednesday afternoon that he and Sutherland’s defense attorney are asking that she be released from jail with a promise to appear on her court date. Herring said the judge could sign an order for her release.

Capitol Police on Monday arrested Sutherland, who goes by the name Sister Leona, when she and another activist mimicked the Virginia seal in a bit of performance art. It was aimed at House Speaker Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, and House Majority Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, who are trying to stop an ERA ratification measure from getting to a floor vote in the House.
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pwilson@timesdispatch.com

(804) 649-6061
Twitter: @patrickmwilson

Flag and seal of Virginia

The Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia is the official seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a U.S. state. The flag of Virginia consists of the obverse of the seal against a blue background. A state flag was first adopted at the beginning of the American Civil War in April 1861, readopted in 1912, and standardized by the General Assembly in February 1950. The flag may be decorated with a white fringe along the fly; this is usually done when the flag is displayed indoors.