On Monday August 16, 2004 a thousand
protesters gathered outside of the Grand Traverse County
Civic Center to "greet" president Bush who
held a campaign rally in which only Bush supporters
were welcomed to attend. Demonstrators likened the event
to a "large street party" as a diverse group
of citizen groups came together. Three people were arrested
near the entrance of the public park as the president's
motorcade sped past.
Update
on Traverse City Bush Protest Arrests
click
here for: Article
posted on Michigan IMC
Some of you will know that three members
of the local peace and justice community were arrested
during the Bush Visit in August. Though Terry
Difillipo, Holly Wren Spaulding and Mark Messing were
never formally charged--an uncommon status considering
they were booked and jailed, sent away with a summons
to appear in court to be arraigned on charges of disorderly
conduct--the situation has progressed to the point that
the prosecutor finally offered them a plea agreement.
The terms were to plead "responsible" to impeding
traffic, a civil infraction which carries a fine of
$90.00 per person, with the caveat that they must also
sign a release that states that they will not bring
any claims against the city, county or state of Michigan
(for example, for false arrest). The alternative
was to be charged with felonies (obstruction of justice
and resisting arrest). Mike Dettmer, one of the
lawyers representing the three has already charged Prosecuting
Attorney LaBelle with "prosecutorial extortion,"
pointing out the reactionary nature of the threat.
Despite this, Holly and Terri have both chosen to accept
the deal rather than spend precious time and resources
fighting a long, drawn out legal battle. Mark
has not signed the agreement and has still not been
formally charged with anything, so stayed tuned.
So, as the two women prepare to pay
their fines by the Oct. 4th deadline, an opportunity
exists for the community to support them. On the
day of the Bush action, they and many others were wearing
"KEEP
SPEECH FREE" t'shirts by Lou Blouin at Proletarian
Threads. These hand screenprinted, sweatshop-free
shirts are available for a limited time as a fundraiser
for the Civic Center Three, and are also a way to support
a small local, activist-run business. If you want to
order a shirt for the cause, follow the link below and
be sure to include a memo with your order that states
that you wish a portion of the proceeds to go toward
the " Civic Center Three"
The cost is $15, and you can pick them up at the Proletarian
Threads workshop in Traverse City if you want to avoid
shipping costs. Click here to go to Proletarian
Threads
"There comes a time when the operation
of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick
at heart, that you can't take part; you can't even passively
take part. And you've got to put your bodies on
the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon
all the apparatus, and you've got to make it stop.
And you've got to indicate to the people who run it,
to people who own it, that unless you are free, the
machine will be prevented from working at all. " -
Mario Savio, Free Speech Activist, December 1964
(text from the t-shirt)
Please visit the Mideast
Just Peace homepage for current events, actions
and links to engaging perspectives.
To view a video clip of the protest, please visit:
Venting
Media
Read local news coverage of the event at: Protesters
Arrested at Bush Campaign Rally
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