ravi wrote:
do folks find these news clippings worthwhile, or is it so off-topic that i should stop sending them to pen-l?
--ravi
<http://my.aol.com/news/news_story.psp?type=1&cat=0100&id=0303050618089478>
Man Arrested for Wearing Peace T-Shirt The Associated Press Mar 5 2003 6:18AM
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A man was charged with trespassing in a mall after he refused to take off a T-shirt that said ``Peace on Earth'' and ``Give peace a chance.''
Mall security approached Stephen Downs, 61, and his 31-year-old son, Roger, on Monday night after they were spotted wearing the T-shirts at Crossgates Mall in a suburb of Albany, the men said.
The two said they were asked to remove the shirts made at a store there, or leave the mall. They refused.
They will be challenged tomorrow.
---- From: Women Against War <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
This message contains information regarding
a call to action for tomorrow, 3.5.03, at
Crossgates Mall including legal advice for
those considering civil disobedience. It
also includes the overview of our Emergency
Mobilization Plan, also known as Day After
Action, which is our response to an action
that is considered to be the declaration of
war against Iraq. Announcements for other
upcoming events will be sent no later than
Thursday.
-------------------------------------
As announced earlier today, Women Against
War, Capital District for Justice and Peace,
and Peace Action organizers are calling for
an action at Crossgates Mall tomorrow,
3.5.03, at Noon.
Why: Yesterday a man and his father were
shopping in the mall. Neither are
affiliated with the antiwar movement. They
purchased t-shirts at the mall that read
PEACE ON EARTH. They put the shirts on and
continued shopping. Within minutes they
were confronted by mall security and told to
either take off the shirts or leave the
mall. The father refused, was arrested and
today was arraigned on the charge of trespass.
What: We are going back to Crossgates for lunch in the food court. We will be wearing NO WAR IN IRAQ t-shirts. We believe that people should be able to wear whatever t-shirts they want when shopping. So let's do lunch at the mall!
Legal Advice: The mall is private property. We may be asked to leave for the "offense" of wearing these t-shirts. If you leave when asked, then you are not subject to arrest. If you do not leave and do not remove your shirt, then you may be subject to arrest. Many of us are willing to be subject to arrest. If you are arrested, you are most likely going to be charged with trespass, which is a violation. If you are charged with criminal trespass, it is a misdemeanor.
Violation Versus Misdemeanor: A violation
means that you will receive an appearance
ticket and pay a small fine. You will not
have a criminal record as a result of this
arrest. Criminal trespass is a Class D
misdemeanor. The maximum fine is $500 and
90 days in jail.
Most likely, you will be released after
being processed. You may have to post bail
if charged with a misdemeanor. You will
have to appear in court (probably Thursday
evening) for an arraignment. We have
lawyers who will represent us, and will work
to get the charge reduced to a violation. However, if you are convicted of a
misdemeanor then you will have a permanent
criminal record.
Those with prior convictions may wish to consult with an attorney prior to participating in this action. People here on visas are discouraged from participating in this action.
Do not "go limp" or attempt to resist arrest
in any other way unless you are prepared to
be charged with resisting arrest, which is
also a misdemeanor.
It is best if you carry identification so that being processed goes as smoothly as possible.
Organizers have the phone numbers for an attorney who will represent us as a group for this action. You may consult your own attorney if you wish.
Where to meet and how to get a t-shirt: The Women's Building (located at 79 Central Avenue, between Henry Johnson Blvd and Lexington Avenue) will be selling antiwar t-shirts from 10 to 11am tomorrow. $15 regular price, $12 "I'm Willing to be Arrested For Wearing This Shirt" special price!
Gather at Noon at Crossgates Mall... lower level, near the moose outside the
Bugaboo Creek restaurant. We will enter the
mall together, proceed to the food court and
sit for lunch. Again, if you do not want to
be subject to arrest we will make sure that
you are clearly aware of when mall security
states, essentially, "leave or be arrested."
This entire action is being video taped for
our protection.
If you don't have the time to get to the
building to buy a shirt, make a no war
slogan and tape it to your coat or jacket...
or take an old t-shirt and write NO WAR IN
IRAQ across the front and back. Please do
not bring signs.
E. Ahmet Tonak Professor of Economics
Simon's Rock College of Bard 84 Alford Road Great Barrington, MA 01230
Tel: 413 528 7488 Fax: 413 528 7365 www.simons-rock.edu/~eatonak
