Vets for Peace activists, nun, retired surgeon..Trials starting 9/14 from C.O before RNC

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Press release
For immediate release



CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE TRIAL OF "THE OTHER RNC 8" PEACE ACTIVISTS SET TO BEGIN
IN ST. PAUL MONDAY SEPTEMBER 14

Eight peace activists who engaged in nonviolent civil disobedience at the Republican National Convention to protest both the war in Iraq and U.S. prisoner torture policies, face trial beginning Monday morning, September 14, at 9 AM in Ramsey County District Court in St. Paul.

The eight include full-time peace and social justice activists, homemakers, veterans, a nun, a retired general surgeon, and a college professor.

They are Joshua Brollier, Steve Clemens, David Harris, Jeanne Hynes, Betty McKenzie, Dan Pearson, Mary Vaughan, and Joel Weisberg.

The activists call themselves "the other RNC 8" to distinguish themselves from another group of 8 facing more serious charges in connection with protests at the convention.

The 8 plan to cite International Treaties and the Nuremberg Tribunals in their defense. Although it took place near the site of the Republican Convention, the action was aimed at protesting the policies of both major political parties.


from last year.
Fox 9's Jamie Reese reports on the arrests at the Vets for Peace "Solemn Funeral Procession" March from the State Capitol to the Xcel Energy Center where the Convention was being held. At some point, the Vets took a turn off the approved march route to deliver a mock gravestone to the RNC. Nine were arrested including Betty McKenzie, a 78-year-old nun. 2:28 minutes long.

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should be filled w/protestors at this "trial." It's okay for Repukes to demonstrate, but Dems are not "allowed" to protest at the RNC?

This is seriously scary stuff! We're talking about setting the stage to lose our freedom of speech, to protest, to make ourselves heard. Surely a protest is being organized...surely.

Earlier that morning, McCain's spokes person refused to meet with Iraq and Afganistan Veterans who marched in uniform to give a letter to McCain.



It was later during the march with the whole group that these older Veterans and supporters wanted to put the the cardboard headstones against the Xcel Center to remind the Delegates and the Politicians inside the cost of war.

I wish some celebrates would show up for this trial. Those who were arrested are all incredibly dedicated people to peace and non-violence. Dr. Harris was down at Crawford, TX when Katrina hit.. He and along with other Vets and support went to help people right away. and he went down a couple times through out the year. It is really shameful the media does not tell there story and why they committed Civil Disobedience.