Cape Codders for Peace arrested in Delahunts office yesterday

PuraVidaDreamin

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Wed Apr-19-06 03:10 PM
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Cape Codders for Peace arrested in Delahunts office yesterday

Well, I'm no longer a virgin. I'm now officially a troublemaker.

Yesterday a group of eleven patriots gathered inside Congressman Delahunt's (D-MA)
Hyannis office to hand him signed petitions supporting Congressman Jim McGoverns
HR4232 that would stop funding for further deployment of US Troops to Iraq.

It has been 5 months since the inception of Both McGoverns, and Jack Murtha's own
bill (calling for redeployment of troops) in which time Cape Codders for Peace and Justice
have written numerous letters and made just as many phone calls urging Delahunt to
sign on to McGoverns bill. In these past five months, 300 more American soldiers
have died, and heaven knows how many thousands innocent Iraqi's while nothing has been done
to change the status quo. And in this 5 months not ONE of our letters or phone calls
have been returned by Mr. Delahunt.

Although the good congressman works for us, he doesn't feel the need to communicate
with us to help clarify his position. In his defense, he has done some very good things
for example voting against the initial invasion of Iraq. He also receives major kudos for
working with the democratically elected president of Venuezula, Victor Hugo Chavez for
securing affordable heating oil for this state poor.

Delahunt's chief of staff Mark Forrest was in the Hyannis office yesterday and told us that
although the congressman has signed on to Mr. Murtha's bill ( a bill that is a beginning, yet
still very hawkish) he felt that McGovern's bill conflicts with Murtha's plan. He was not able
to articulate how. CCPJ does not feel these bills conflict, in fact we feel they serve to compliment
each other. These are just Mark Forrests words I will caution, as we don't know Delahunt's
true position, for the simple reason that he does not communicate with us.

We intended to stay in the office until we heard from Mr. Delahunt OR a date was given to us
to hold an open meeting with his constituency on the latest Iraq issues in the very near future. We
also would have appreciated a short conference call.

Since our arrival we had been in a "shared" conference room that Mr. Forrest made a point of telling us was part of a 'private building' that houses the Hyannis office. The non verbal inference being to us that we would be trespassing. He was quite cordial throughout the day, stating he understood where we were coming from, but it became apparent to us as the day ticked on that his patience was waning. About an hour to closing time we made a tactical decision to move into Delahunts office reception area. (The part of the office we pay for) We sat close to walls, and did not block pathways. (We did use the restroom a lot) Mr, Forrest then told us we were interfering with business activities and that the area we were in was used for confidential/private matters and meetings.

I hope they don't really use the reception area for private matters. He told us he would call the police and asked if that is what we wanted. We again told him we would leave as soon as we had an answer to our question, 'Will Mrl Delahunt sign on to HR 4232, and if not WHY?". "So you want to be arrested" he re-stated. We just sat there quietly.

Diane then contacted the Cape Cod TImes, who showed up within minutes. About 30 minutes later
the police did too. I heard the K-9 dog barking loudly and couldn't help but make a comment about Abu Ghraib. They left the dog in the cruiser.

The Barnstable police we dealt with were very decent and professional. They stated the facts to us as they understood by them and then told us we were to be arrested for trespassing. We told them they had to do what they had to do, as we were doing what we felt we must do.

One by one we went peacfully. They took the guys first, John a VFP member and then Robert, both in metal handcuffs. 1/2 hour later they took we four women. Three in the paddywagon. Me, well I was transported in the back of a cruiser- and got special handling as they couldn't miss my knee as red as an apple and a big as watermelon. I was 4 days postop knee scope for a meniscal tear- memories of a mountain bike and then surfing incident. They did not cuff we women folk. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

John told us at our reunion this morning he overheard the cops at the station saying, "We have the women and you won't believe how many bags the have with them" We come prepared.

Do they no longer finger print the perps? Our processing contained only pat-downs and mug shots.

The cell was cold, hard and lonely. A metal bedframe attached to brick walls. A sheet of safety glass covered the outside of the steel bars. Only one officer in the jail was kind of a dick. I got the feeling most were sympathetic. They were just doing their jobs.

I turned to meditation and focused on my comrades, or as Robert named us (on the fly)in front of the judge "The Hyannis Six" sending them each white light. Even sent some to Mr Delahunt and Mark Forrest, although the light was noticably smaller- Could anyone out there shed some insight on this phenomena-

Both the Diane's and Sarah urged me to post bail b/c of my knee. I had also received a cell call from my kid at UMass, during the middle of the sit in. "Mom, I'm sick".....

Both Diane's declined to pay bail as a matter of principal. They did state they were treated very well and the staff at the jail brought them big juicy burgers, which they also declined for vegan reasons. So they let them eat the food we brought along for the sit in and gave them granola bars.

We were quite anxious to see our heroines this morning. They were brought to the court house in
real handcuffs and ankle shackles (trying to make up for no handcuffs earlier?) It's crazy times
when the peace peoples get ankles shackled.

We did get great press coverage- 1/4 of each the front page and 1/4 ofthe back page! 3 photos.
We all plead not guilty and have a court date of May 4. We will be asking the ACLU for advice,
but representing ourselves, and draw things out. (Could we subpoena Delahunt to ask what
Mark Forest told him about our visit, and if he told him) UMmmmm the possiblities...

Any way
#1 we overheard Mark Forrest tell the cops that they may have to prevent us
from vigiling in front of Delahunts office now. Guess we better test that out asap.

#2 Delahunt is having a town meeting in Woods Hole tomorrow night discussing civil rights.
Bob Barr is a guest presenter. Mr. D has made it known he does not want the discussion
to be about the war! ???? Huh???? We can't talk about the war at a civil rights forum?

We are hammering out a few question for the good congressman.
Anyone have anything specific they'd like asked?

Peace will post photos later