August 15, 2007
Shortly after noon today, federal authorities and Chicago police arrested four antiwar activists at the Kluczynski Federal Building in Chicago. Four advocates are currently being held and processed by the Chicago police department on a state charge of trespassing.
Those arrested sought a public pledge from Senators Durbin and Obama to vote against any additional funding for the Iraq war. President Bush is seeking approximately $150 billion in Iraq - Afghanistan war funding for Fiscal Year 2008.
The four are participants in the Occupation Project, a campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience to end funding for the Iraq war. Since February 5, nationwide 375 arrests have occurred in the offices of 41 Representatives and Senators.
Eight members of Christian Peacemaker Teams were arrested at the office of Senator Durbin on July 23. The state charge of trespass to state supported land was dismissed by the judge at a court appearance on August 13.
The four Chicago residents arrested today include:
Laurie Hasbrook, Co-Coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence; Ron Durham of the Francis of Assisi Catholic Worker Community; Lucky Marlovitz, also of the Francis of Assisi Catholic Worker Community; and Gus Roddy
Additional acts of nonviolent civil resistance / civil disobedience are being organized to occur from now through the beginning of October.
