PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate Release Attention: News Assignment
Press contacts: Kevin Clark, 312-259-4380, solitaryleftist@aol.com; Jeff Pickering, 773-551-2353
Peace Activists Stage Dramatic ‘Die-In’ at Holy Name Cathedral to Protest Anniversary of Iraq War
Group decries Cardinal George’s January 7 meeting with Mayor Daley and President Bush, the ‘chief architect’ of the ongoing carnage in Iraq.
CHICAGO, March 23 – Six members of the anti-war group “Catholic Schoolgirls Against The War” staged a dramatic die-in during the 11AM Easter mass at Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago’s most prominent Catholic parish – and the home of one of the nation’s most conservative church leaders, Cardinal George.
The three men and three women activists timed the action to reach both Holy Name’s large easter audience – including Chicago’s most prominent Catholic citizens, who commonly attend Easter mass at the church -- and the many more viewers and readers of the local press, which usually extensively cover the services.
The action was staged in the Gold Coast cathedral’s parish center, an auditorium where mass is being said while the main cathedral undergoes renovation. Easter services at Holy Name are traditionally one of the most heavily attended masses of the year, and this mass was no exception, with people packed wall to wall for today’s Easter morning holiday service.
The group of young men and women, dressed in their Easter best, sat through the 11AM mass until George reached the homily. A few seconds into the cardinal’s main holiday message, the protesters rose from their seats, turned to address the thousands of parishioners in the auditorium, and talked about the continuing death of both Iraqis and Americans in Iraq as the war enters its sixth year.
The protesters also reminded the churchgoers that on January 7, 2008, cardinal George and Chicago mayor Richard Daley met in Chicago with U.S. president George W. Bush – the principle public figure responsible for initiating the carnage in Iraq – and denounced this meeting.
The protesters then laid down in the aisles and discharged packets of fake blood that covered them in red. Stunned ushers rushed in after a moment or two to try to remove the protesters, and also brought in some Chicago police officers who were stationed in the lobby to help with traffic control for the overflow crowd. The protesters did NOT resist arrest, agreeing to stand up and walk out of the auditorium, where they were subsequently arrested by cops outside. During a ten minute wait for a paddy wagon to show up, the activists conducted a series of media interviews with local television outlets. When the paddy wagon arrived, the cuffed protesters were loaded and taken to an area police station.
The impact inside the auditorium was powerful. According to an eyewitness on the scene, once the protesters were led out, the audience sat in shocked silence for a few moments. George then said “And we should thank our friends for what they have had to say," – and the parishioners responded with a round of applause.
Supporters of the protesters are still awaiting word on their final destination and the charges they may ultimately confront, although police stated at 12:15PM that the activists are currently being held at the 18th District police station, located at 1160 N. Larrabee Ave., 312-742-5870.
NEWS ALERT: The Chicago police department has just release information that the six young people arrested at a die-in at Holy Name Cathedral today have been charged with one count of felony criminal damage to property and two counts of simple battery. For a more complete accounting of the story, go to the Chicago Independent Media Center's website at chicago.indymedia.org.
The arrestees are Angela Haban, 20 years old, female; Regan Maher, 25 years old, female; Mercedes Phinaih, 18 years old, female; Ephran Ramirez, Jr., 22 years old, male; Donte D. Smith, 21 years old, male; and Ryane J. Ziemba, 25 years old, male
According to the police, all arrestees are scheduled to be in court on these charges on March 31 at Branch 42 at 9am. CIMC is currently trying to confirm this date, and also to identify the date and time for the arresttees' bond hearing, which will likely be some time tomorrow, Monday, March 24. Attorneys report that bond, particularly for the felony count, could run into tens of thousands of dollars, with the arrestees required to post 10% of that. The last activist arrested on a trumped-up felony charge at a protest was slapped with a $60,000 bond. He spent two days in jail while supporters assembled the $6,000 it took to bail him out.
Supporters have asked the public to contact the following individuals about jail solidarity, including information on how to support the activists bond support fund: Jeff Pickert at 773-551-2353 or sittingbull5@ameritech.net; Kevin Clark at 773-267-5198 or solitaryleftist@aol.com.
URGENT
Ryane J. Ziemba, one of the activists involved in today's protest at Easter Mass is currently being denied his medication.
Despite multiple requests for his inhaler Chicago Police at the 18th District (near Division and Halsted) are refusing to give Ryane Ziemba the medication. Ryane's friends are asking that people call the station at 312-742-5870. We also are asking that people maintain a physical presence in front of the jail until the Police allow Ryan to use his medication.
Why does war criminal BuZh get NO criminal indictment when he has so clearly already admitted to WAR CRIMES,
yet those who point it out get charged with felonies?
Well, we all know about two-tiered justice and lack of accountability with our current US AG, but still one is forced to ASK, does anyone see why this story is MAJOR.
I do, I put it on digg as I see it as something very reverential in the true spirit of EASTER.
Bless these young men and women and, Creator keep them safe.
Only this weekend has the VT arrest warrants story gotten any major links that I have seen, it took quite a while to percolate.
This is the SAME sort of story.
Much has gone on this weekend and it our job to make sure it sees the glare of media attention, imho.
by
ladybroadoak (38 articles, 20 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 390 comments)
on Sunday, March 23, 2008 at 8:20:42 PM
I find this new activism on the part of students both welcome and exciting.
I realize what is said about the reckless of "youth" - but young people are the hope of the future and I never feel that the majority of adults has paid enough attention to today's crop of young people. (you'll detect that on my OpEd bio, in fact.)
The teachers that were NEEDED have been marginalized out following Vietnam -- I surely am one of those who would have made a terrific civics or public policy teacher BUT my activist background certainly would have precluded that. I got "in" way too early and got that "radical" label, so it was never a REALized option. Sure have thought about THAT over the years.
Some of us boomers - we CARED, and we CARED deeply and did not fit neatly into some pidgeon hole, we cared about a very wide area of topics - university reform as we could see the corporatization of universities, the nature of imperialist expansionist imperialist wars, the gutting of the neighborhoods we lived and we ACTED.
This action today was very very SPECIAL. IT showed that those involved understand war crimes, something we MURKANs really did not know applied to US, We the People. We never appealed to the Constitution for back up and support for our right to demonstratre (first amendment) or to file charges against the US government. Interestingly with us, the felonies only were issued when we were REALLY threatening to The Order, mostly cases that involved us sacking University criminal "justice" programs .
This "piece of theatre" on easter weekend, is just awesome! It was a winner! It took on The Beast, front centre stage.
I am sorry about the charges - I have no money to help defray bail but I would certainly send some if I had it.
You guys are the hope of the FUTURE. And that is something everyone should be paying attention to ..
We just cannot find ourselves (although I reside in Canada now and the spring actions are also WELL underway) living stuck in a violent, ORWELLIAN 1984 world. The future is here in you guys and I give you my heart, my head and my hands to help you anyway I can.
You guys are SO worth it!!
I will be paying close attention to what happens on this one and I sure hope that the inhaler was gotten.
If you look on my blog - you'll see someone sent me a video of Chicago's antiwar protest which I posted - I got really pleased when I saw it. Someone on digg sent it to me which was a meaningful event.
I have demonstrated MANY times in Chicago!! LOL .. and it was with Daly as Mayor and VERY frightening at times. But we did it cuz it was the RIGHT THING TO DO. Welfare rights, against the war, against Hubert Humphrey, we did ACTIONS.
I salute you and the others.
OF one thing I am sure - you will find strength among yourselves as you work together towards a common goal of a sustainable, humane world.
by
ladybroadoak (38 articles, 20 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 390 comments)
on Monday, March 24, 2008 at 2:06:41 AM
I suppose these activists thought that they were making some Great Statement, but they couldn't have picked a worse target. Pope Benedict XVI has stated his opposition to the war many times, including this past weekend! Pope John Paul II before him opposed the invasion.
Catholics attend Mass for religious reasons, not political ones, but the political view these [insert plural slang term for the sphincter here] have done is to [insert slang verb for urinate here] off the good Catholics who went to Easter Mass, as part of a Church in official opposition to the war already!
Just how many people did these "activists" persuade to their cause, vis a vis how many were less likely to listen to them due to their boorish and childish behavior? And just how stupid do you have to be to protest someone who agrees with you?
by
Dana Pico (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 142 comments)
on Monday, March 24, 2008 at 6:25:14 PM
Your pious attitude is too common and is holding back America. While you want a tranquil place to allow you mind to think nice thoughts American soldiers are dying at the rate of three a day. Iraqui and Afghan women and children are dying at many hundreds of times that rate.
And all for lies
- the lie of weapons of mass destruction,
- the lie of a connection between Sadam Hussein and al Qaeda,
- the lie that fires brought down all three WTC buildings on 9/11
What part of "The Catholic Church opposed the war" . . .
. . . don't you understand? If these activists want to protest the war, fine, that's their right. But what kind of idiot protests a church which is on their side?
The Catholic Church has been right out in front of opposing the war. Pope John Paul II tried as hard as he could to prevent the invasion; he couldn't stip it. Pope Benedict XVI has opposed the warm, and as recently as last week made a well-publicized statement against it.
So, these idiots decide to go to a large Catholic Church, holding Easter Mass -- the most important day on the Catholic calendar -- and disrupt it. Do you think that Catholics don't know that John Paul Ii and Benedict XVI opposed the war? Do you think the parishioners in the pews don't know that?
by
Dana Pico (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 142 comments)
on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 9:40:12 AM
The Church is as much against the war as Obama/Clinton are
Cardinal George (who has a reputation for meeting with George W. Bush and Mayor Daley months ago) says he is for peace. That's all rhetoric.
It's rhetoric like the Obama/Clinton rhetoric voters are being fed to make them feel comfortable that Obama and Clinton are "anti-war."
If the Church is anti-war though, what is the problem with this action that was taken? Why such hefty charges? If the sole problem is that these Catholics stained the Church's floor, than why not settle for damages out of court? Why not make an agreement to raise 3,000 to 5,000 dollars for new carpet?
I understand they should be responsible for "damages" (that's saying damages assessed were accurately and fairly assessed). But, I do not understand how Cardinal George could truly be anti-war or for peace and allow these student activists to be in jail with such a high bail set for getting them out of prison.
Look at the video. What they did was not threatening to anyone physically at all. And yet, battery charges?
This action blows things wide open and shows the true face of Catholicism. Catholicism in Chicago is complicit and must cease to be complicit. This war must end. Now.
by
Kevin Gosztola (211 articles, 113 quicklinks, 68 diaries, 809 comments)
on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 9:53:42 AM
Cardinal George's job is to protect his archdiocese
He doesn't set the bail or the charges, but I have absolutely no problem with these fine gentlemen being charged with felonies or having huge damage claims against them. As Henry David Thoreau wrote in Civil Disobedience, if you are going to break the law in order to express your displeasure with some government policy, then you must, in good conscience, be willing to accept the consequences of breaking the law.
Of course, you told us that neither Democratic candidate is truly against the war, and I happen to think you are right on that point; in a debate prior to the Iowa caucuses, neither Mr Obama nor Mrs Clinton would commit to hyaving all combat troops out of Iraq by January 20, 2013.
by
Dana Pico (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 142 comments)
on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 1:18:59 PM
I suggest you read up on 9/11. YOu will see that explosives were certainly used to bring down all three buildings. You will also see that the authorities went to great lengths to deny the use of explosives, to hide and destroy evidence. Why would they do that if not complicit?
by
gravity32 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 157 comments)
on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 4:21:05 AM
. . . that George Bush and Dick Cheney were able to pull off the greatest scam in the history of the world, a black operation that would have had to have involved a couple hundred operatives -- unless you think that George Bush could have somehow planted the explosives himself, completely undetected -- and gotten nineteen Arabs to go along with this and commit suicide to help them, and managed to keep the whole thing completely quiet.
Don't tell me, let me guess: you also think that John Kerry won the 2004 election and was somehow cheated, right?
by
Dana Pico (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 142 comments)
on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 9:49:56 AM
What actions have the Catholic Church taken to show they are "anti-war"?
If the only thing they have done is give a sermon on Iraq or peace or anti-war, than what is so bad about disrupting a mass which primarily members of the establishment of Chicago were attending on Easter?
Is what's so bad that it was Easter and the Catholic protesters disrupted a holiday? If that is the problem, than what about the Iraqis whose lives we Americans have disrupted?
Were we jailed when we damaged their carpet in far worse ways than these protesters damaged the church's carpet?
by
Kevin Gosztola (211 articles, 113 quicklinks, 68 diaries, 809 comments)
on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 10:05:53 AM
. . . a Mass every Sunday Catholic, not just the occasional churchgoer.
But my statement wasn't one based on faith, but one based on politics; this was a stupid, counterproductive thing to do. All it could do was make the protestors look like rude idiots; it wasn't going to somehow persuade anyone to their point of view.
by
Dana Pico (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 142 comments)
on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 9:44:50 AM
Dana of course it seems unlikely that Bush and Cheney or the CIA or some deviant part of the admin could have laid the explosives but how much more unlikely is it that Bin Laden could have done it.
The one thing that is certain is that explosives were used. Read before you reply if you are really interested in getting on top of this crime.
by
gravity32 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 157 comments)
on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 12:25:08 PM
Is it your complaint that the Church isn't anti-war enough?
Churches are tax-exempt orgainizations, and that limits the amount of political activity they can undertake. No, the bishops aren't out there, leading demonstrations, but, then again, the demonstrations that have occurred haven't exactly accomplished much, have they?
Perhaps you think that somehow the parishioners need to be "educated" or "woken up" to believe whatever the activists want to teach them, but this was an incredibly stupid way of doing things; when someone comes in and urinates on the carpet to get your attention, you usually don't listen to their arguments.
The protestors who disrupted Easter Mass were a bunch of brainless buffoons; they managed to annoy a lot of people, but they persuaded no one who didn't already agree with them.
by
Dana Pico (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 142 comments)
on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 1:14:12 PM
I suppose you could prove this statement to be fact
The protestors who disrupted Easter Mass were a bunch of brainless buffoons; they managed to annoy a lot of people, but they persuaded no one who didn't already agree with them.
If this is true, than the peace movement could truly benefit from knowing that they need to restructure their actions.
Why don't you dig deeper and prove to the peace movement that they are frightening people more than motivating people to engage in nonviolent direct action that contributes to an end to the Iraq war?
by
Kevin Gosztola (211 articles, 113 quicklinks, 68 diaries, 809 comments)
on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 4:14:00 PM
If this is true, than the peace movement could truly benefit from knowing that they need to restructure their actions.
Yeah, I'd say that they could. You don't walk into someone's celebration, try to ruin it for everyone there, and think that you are going to win friends and influence people -- at least, not influence them positively.
Why don't you dig deeper and prove to the peace movement that they are frightening people more than motivating people to engage in nonviolent direct action that contributes to an end to the Iraq war?
Well, you said it yourself previously: neither Senator Obama nor Senator Clinton is really interested in ending the war, and the only Democratic candidates who really ran on that issue, Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich, had exactly zero success in the primaries. Whatever the peace movement has been doing so far, it hasn't been working very well.
The Democrats elected into the congressional majorities in 2006? They made a few noises, but completely surrendered whenevr President Bush said "Boo!" to them; they could have ended the war already, by simply refusing to fund it, but they did fund it, and even approved sending additional troops to Iraq, in the "surge." The truth is that the congressional Democrats were far more interested in having the war as a 2008 campaign issue than they ever were in ending the war, and virtually nobody on the left cares. But I'd guess that I haven't told you anything you didn't already know.
Perhaps the action is understandable in one respect: the anti-war activists have tried just about everything else, and it hasn't worked; perhaps they're just getting desperate.
by
Dana Pico (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 142 comments)
on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 5:59:50 PM
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