Then, we proceeded to the courthouse. Some of these women used canes or pushed walkers. When they went through security, they relinquished their signs of protest to the guards.
Finally, when their names were called and the grandmothers stood before Justice Alexander Jeong, court spectators exploded in a rousing cheer.
?Order. Respect for the court,? a court officer shouted. ?Another outburst and you will be asked to leave.?
Attorney Norman Siegel presented a written motion to dismiss in the interest of justice. Again, prosecutors refused to drop the charges and offered the women ?adjournment in contemplation of dismissal.? These activists weren?t about to agree. As long as the war wages, they will be protesting and risking arrest. In fact, every Wednesday afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30, they stand along Fifth Avenue at Rockefeller Center, holding their antiwar and anti-Bush signs.
I joined them this week and we stood in the rain.
Later, walking home, I recalled the words of First Mother and grandmother Barbara Bush on national television before the invasion and occupation of Iraq: ?Why should we hear about body bags or deaths? It?s not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that??
Not relevant? I?d love to witness Marie Runyon?s tongue-lashing of Grandmommie Dearest. In fact, I?d enjoy seeing any of these women and Chase Comley?s grandmother debate Jenna and Barbara Bush?s. The beautiful minds and hearts of Grandmothers Against the War are brimming with compassion. They don?t want to hear about body bags or deaths either. That?s why they opposed the war?and continue to oppose it. That?s why they are staying their own valiant course.
Stay tuned. The next court date is March 2nd. I?ll be there.
Finally, when their names were called and the grandmothers stood before Justice Alexander Jeong, court spectators exploded in a rousing cheer.
?Order. Respect for the court,? a court officer shouted. ?Another outburst and you will be asked to leave.?
Attorney Norman Siegel presented a written motion to dismiss in the interest of justice. Again, prosecutors refused to drop the charges and offered the women ?adjournment in contemplation of dismissal.? These activists weren?t about to agree. As long as the war wages, they will be protesting and risking arrest. In fact, every Wednesday afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30, they stand along Fifth Avenue at Rockefeller Center, holding their antiwar and anti-Bush signs.
I joined them this week and we stood in the rain.
Later, walking home, I recalled the words of First Mother and grandmother Barbara Bush on national television before the invasion and occupation of Iraq: ?Why should we hear about body bags or deaths? It?s not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that??
Not relevant? I?d love to witness Marie Runyon?s tongue-lashing of Grandmommie Dearest. In fact, I?d enjoy seeing any of these women and Chase Comley?s grandmother debate Jenna and Barbara Bush?s. The beautiful minds and hearts of Grandmothers Against the War are brimming with compassion. They don?t want to hear about body bags or deaths either. That?s why they opposed the war?and continue to oppose it. That?s why they are staying their own valiant course.
Stay tuned. The next court date is March 2nd. I?ll be there.
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