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09-Apr-2002

Peace activists arrested in US Congressman's office

by: Lauren Kelley

Washington, USA: Eight peace activists were arrested on 3 April while waiting in the lobby of US Representative George Nethercutt's office in Spokane, Washington. The activists were waiting to speak with Nethercutt about their concern regarding the current US administration's so-called war on terrorism after their letter requesting a meeting was refused. The activists were informed that Nethercutt, who has never in his six years as a Congressman honored a request to meet with members of the Spokane peace community, was "unavailable" and would not be able to meet with them. A short time later, however, a "red-faced and obviously angry" Nethercutt was escorted into his office by armed officers, said Paddy Inman, Peacekeeper Coordinator for School of the Americas Watch (SOAW) and one of those arrested. Each of the activists read a personal statement to Nethercutt expressing their distress towards the pervasive and escalating violence in the world today. Shortly thereafter, the activists were handcuffed and arrested.

The activists arrested included the co-directors of the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS) and other long-time peace advocates. All eight were realeased and are due for a hearing in Federal District Court sometime in the future.