2 US lawmakers, others arrested at Darfur protest

Source: Associated Press

2 US lawmakers, others arrested at Darfur protest

45 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Eight activists protesting the expulsion of aid groups in Darfur have been arrested in front of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington.

Humanitarian leaders and U.S. lawmakers, including Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison and Maryland Rep. Donna Edwards, were led away from the embassy in handcuffs Monday after crossing a police line.

The activists are urging world leaders to take a stand against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's decision to expel 16 aid agencies from Darfur. Ellison says it is wrong to deny aid to what he calls "the most vulnerable people on our planet."

The United Nations says up to 300,000 people have died in Darfur, where ethnic African rebel groups have been fighting the Arab-dominated national government for six years.






Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5glagPfQrgk97YDrUwT0cfRWd1RaAD97QSR5O0

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See also:

Several members of Congress arrested moments ago outside Sudanese embassy in DC.

http://twitter.com/HuffPolitics/status/1629439285

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/U.S._members_of_congress_arrested_over_Sudan_protest

Is this a recurring thing that happens often?

I found this link doing a news search to see if any media have posted a story yet on today's incident. So far, I'm not seeing anything.

He has been in D.C. area since 2006, and he is very good at making the case to people in positions that garner attention. He is a bright young man who cares for the people still in the war torn regions he managed to escape from as a boy. He has talked Congressmen into getting arrested at the embassy before so the media would report on the problems for people in Sudan. Guess it is spring in D.C.

Go John! :thumbsup:

How do get the Sudanese to KEEP them?

:rofl:

They're the good guys.

The fact is 'we' have had ample evidence the past 8 years that 'our' congressmen are less than certain to represent us. So we lose a congress critter here and there, the fact remains that there stripes are 'washable' and so can be easily replaced.

for the plight of other people. They are the God-less party of "Me first, screw everyone else".

I for one, am DAMN proud of these Democratic congress-women and men who have once again put their money where their mouths are and went so far as to put themselves in a position to be arrested for what they believe is right. DAMN PROUD!!

still can't find anything on M$M

Bush paid scant lip service to Darfur, along with Tony Blair and others.
But nothing really changes. All talk and no action.

Those people have suffered terribly for far too long.

Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Five members of Congress were among among those arrested Monday outside the Embassy of Sudan for crossing a police line during a demonstration against genocide in Darfur.

"You have to find a way to dramatize an issue," Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia) told CNN as he was led away in handcuffs.

The other U.S. lawmakers who were arrested during the protest are Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts), Donna Edwards (D-Maryland), Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota), and Lynn Woolsey (D-California).

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/27/us-lawmakers-arrested-in-darfur-protest-at-sudan-embassy/

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The only one I'm not that familiar with is McGovern. The other four are solid progressives. We need several dozen more like them.

Source: The Press Democrat

Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey was arrested this morning at a demonstration in Washington, D.C. about the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

Woolsey, a Petaluma Democrat and member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was taken into custody by Secret Service agents outside the Sudanese embassy along with four other lawmakers and two activists.

She was booked at the city’s northwest police precinct on trespassing charges and released about three hours later, said her spokesman, Chris Shields.

Woolsey had been expecting to be arrested to draw attention to deteriorating conditions in the African country and issued her own press release following the incident.

Read more: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090427/ARTICLES/904279963/1350?Title=Lynn-Woolsey-arrested-at-D-C-embassy-protest

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Good for her!

:thumbsup:

Ha, she was in our parade and not Petaluma.

You Rock, Lynn! :patriot:

:patriot:

She was not the only one.
There were FIVE U.S. Congresspeople Arrested

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Five members of Congress were among among those arrested Monday outside the Embassy of Sudan for crossing a police line during a demonstration against genocide in Darfur. "You have to find a way to dramatize an issue," Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia) told CNN as he was led away in handcuffs. The other U.S. lawmakers who were arrested during the protest are Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts), Donna Edwards (D-Maryland), Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota), and Lynn Woolsey (D-California).

It was already posted on DU this morning:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3850693

Source: StarTribune

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., and four other members of Congress were arrested this morning in front of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., as they protested the expulsion of aid groups in Darfur.

...Before being led away in handcuffs during the mid-morning protest, Ellison said it's wrong to deprive aid to what he called "the most vulnerable people on our planet."

"They were speaking on the embassy steps and were asked to leave," said Ellison spokesman Rick Jauret. "When they didn't, they were arrested."

...Also arrested were Reps. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., John Lewis, D-Ga., Donna Edwards, D-Md., and Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., and three Darfur activist leaders. The activists are urging world leaders to take a stand against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's decision to expel 16 aid agencies from Darfur.

[/url>

Read more: http://tinyurl.com/ce9rrz

:bounce:

Cheney, Rummy, Rice, Bush, Gonzo, and Bybee

value officials than the real criminals .
So do we start a legal defense fund?

:kick:

why is anyone who peacefully protests arrested, I'm being serious here.

Several ( i missed how many) students at University of NC at Chapel Hill that protested Tom Tancredo coming to speak to a bunch of white supremizits were arrested later after tancredo canceled the speech. I signed the protest/petition..i think i have already deleted from my in box (got swamped)

peaceful protest.

the pepper spray was used.
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A388869
If this youth for western civilization is a white supremacist group, they should have their meetings in the woods like any other self respecting kkk group does.
I really don't know who they are, I do know folks that work there in the hospital and will ask around and see what I can find. I have to go in for a possible angioplasty at Duke later in the week, I ll try to remember to ask around and report back.
I hve no love for these hate groups having had more than enough first hand exposure previously.
I don't think to highly of Tancredo either.

Trust me. These are not white supremacists. I love how any call to limit or control immigration is now labeled as "hate." Fascist tactics never change I suppose though.

not leave. That's trespassing and it is a crime. They probably could have had a peaceful demonstration on the sidewalk outside the embassy with no problem, as long as they did not obstuct passage. My guess is that they wanted to get arrested because that yield more publicity and they wanted to bring attention to the issue.


I'm glad someone from Massachusetts went, but I am disappointed that more did not go.

Though there was far more international coverage than coverage by MA's papers. He was able to get them to agree to work to get the international aid back to the level it was before the Sudanese threw out 13 organizations. He also got everyone to agree to tripartite talks with rebels and Obama's special envoy.

Here are a few articles that best sun up the accomplishments of those 3 days:

Here is an NPR interview from when he returned: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103295567

A Reuters article from when he there: http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLH612957

Some local Sudanese press (obviously from a government source, but it's always good to hear what they want out.) http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLH612957

British TV coverage: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=273&topic_id=156724&mesg_id=156770
(there was other coverage that is linked to in the JK group - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=273x156724)

While both agreements could fall apart, it is shocking that they got so little coverage as they were positive breakthoughs in a tough country that will need many breakthoughs. I would think a three day trip to Sudan itself working on this very issue excuses him from standing on the steps of the embassy and getting arrested especially because of where he is today - in Massachusetts, on a veterans' issue.

SEN. JOHN KERRY, REP. PATRICK KENNEDY TO TOUR NEW BEDFORD DRUG COURT; INTRODUCE VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS LEGISLATION



BOSTON – Senator John Kerry and Congressman Patrick Kennedy will hold a press conference to introduce legislation that establishes a federal grant program for veterans treatment courts after touring the New Bedford Drug Court on Monday.



The Services, Education and Rehabilitation for Veterans (SERV) Act would authorize federal funds for the Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop and implement veteran’s treatment courts. The SERV Act would also help enhance existing drug court programs. Senator Kerry and Congressman Kennedy will also be joined by New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang and Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter.





WHO: Senator John Kerry

Congressman Patrick Kennedy

New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang

C. Samuel Sutter, Bristol County District Attorney





WHAT: Tour of New Bedford Drug Court followed by press conference





WHEN: Monday, April 27, 2009

If the cops say something and you don't do it it makes you a criminal...didn't you know that? I found that out the hard way on September 1st in St. Paul.

ethicall wrong, even if there is some legal basis.

they can legally do the same thing on the sidewalk. Besides, sounds as though they wanted to get arrested.

Freedoms only go so far..until you are trespassing then you are in the wrong.
Stand on the sidewalk , the public thoroughfare all day if you want, but not on the door step.

so they go after peaceniks ... they won't shoot back first ...

They better release them quickly.

Source: AP



WASHINGTON – Five members of Congress have been arrested while protesting the expulsion of aid groups from Darfur in front of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington.

They were among eight people led away in handcuffs Monday after crossing a police line.

They urged world leaders to take a stand against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's decision to expel 16 aid agencies from Darfur, where the United Nations says up to 300,000 people have died in fighting that began more than six years ago.

The arrested lawmakers are Democratic Reps. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, John Lewis of Georgia, Donna Edwards of Maryland and Lynn Woolsey of California.

Ellison says it's wrong to deny aid to what he calls "the most vulnerable people on our planet."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/darfur_protest

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I am so proud of them!!!

It's kind os safe haven bullshit if you ask me.

But don't let facts get in the way of a good argument.

or whatever they were at the time. Darfur is pretty much the protest option for rich high school kids and others seeking a worthy cause.

WTF is wrong with you?

They stood up for something and got arrested. You are at your keyboard. If you were there with them, maybe what you said would have some weight. As it stands, you come across as someone who wants to pick a fight for no real reason. It is too bad you could not have been arrested alongside of them. Was it too inconvenient for you to attend the protest? Don't make excuses for not attending.

Good on them. As for you, go whine somewhere else.

I've been waiting my whole (long)life to see mainstream politicians get arrested for something & they choose something that 100% of the non-dead are in favor of. Big fucking deal.

against the resolution (and was the first rep to call for withdrawl.) In that order. Google is your friend.

You must be great fun at parties.

Perhaps if anyone of those chicken shits had stepped over the line when the fascists were in power
it might have had in impact. Now it's empty nothing, who's going to punish them? There is no risk, it's meaningless.

Do you mean when he was getting beaten to a bloody pulp in Alabama during the Civil Rights Misovement (ever heard of the Pettus Bridge?), or do you mean his outspoken stance on Iraq?
http://www.issues2000.org/GA/John_Lewis_War_+_Peace.htm

You are some piece of work.

and civil disobedience needs to become part of governments arsenal.

:patriot:

Whoops, meant to reply to the first respondent.

Who, despite his screen name, does not seem very observant.

My apologies, I'm a bit under the weather and my head is rather foggy.

and good for the protesters.