VIDEO OF THE ARREST AVAILABLE FROM WHYNOTNews.org.   The video is on YouTube search “Tina Richards Arrested” or visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9XTl1Nou8g

The event was organized by Code Pink to welcome Congress back and urge an end to the war. Also participating were members of Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, Vets for Peace, Voters For Peace, Iraqi Voices for Peace, Democracy Rising, Washington Peace Center, Grassroots America (Tina Richard’s educational organization) and other organizations and individuals. 

The arrest occurred in the hallway outside of the Speaker’s office as the delegation was protesting the media being forced to leave the Speaker’s office.  Advocates reacted by reading the First Amendment of the Constitution, “Congress shall make no law abridging the Freedom of the Press,” and were shouting that phrase as well as urging an end to the war.

As she was being arrested Tina Richards said: “The Democrats should not buy Bush’s war. They should fulfill the mandate the voters gave them in November 2006 to end the war and not extend it.  Bring our troops home now.”

Her fellow anti-war advocates urged the police not to arrest the Marine mom, whose son, Cloy has served two tours of duty in Iraq and has been found by the VA to be 80% disabled.  They described the arrest as “un-American” and urged the police to not arrest someone who was merely speaking out against the war within her rights under the Constitution.  

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April 16, 2007

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi                                 Respond to Tina Richards at:
Speaker of the House                                            573-247-8059 (cell)
U.S. House of Representatives                               Tina@GrassrootsAmerica4us.org
Washington, DC 20515

HAND DELIVERED

Re: Meeting with those most affected by the war and working hardest to end it

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

We are writing to request a meeting with you about ending the Iraq war.  Our delegation of women for peace consists of those most affected by the war and working hardest to end it.  Specifically we represent active duty soldiers, Iraq veterans, veterans of prior wars, military families, Iraqi families and peace movement leaders.

In December, 2006 you stated, “my highest priority, immediately, is to stop the war in Iraq.”  More recently you pledged, “as a mother I will exhaust every remedy for peace.”  As the first woman Speaker of the House who we admire for breaking the ‘marble ceiling’ and also as a mother, we want to help you achieve your highest priority.  Signing this letter is each member of our delegation who seek to meet with you and exchange views. 

We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.  As the war escalates, our troops die and innocent Iraqis are slaughtered, the urgency of this meeting cannot be overstated.

Sincerely,

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