Peaceful Protestor to be Arrested at 11:30PM

[Oublei]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
14 November 2008, 18:42

Contact:
Michele Darr, [phone]
Sarah Joy, [phone]
Jessica Campbell, [phone], [e-mail]

Peaceful Protestor to be Arrested at 11:30PM

Salem, OREGON -- Following the delivery of a letter to Governor Kulongoski earlier today, Michele Darr will be arrested at 11:30PM. Darr has been vigiling and fasting in protest the deployment of the Oregon National Guard on the capitol building's steps since November 1. Despite the capitol building steps being public property, Darr has been issued a citation for criminal trespass. Darr and fellow citizens spoke to the police who were apologetic about the situation, but explained that it was a reaffirmed administrative order.

Yesterday, two-time Salem Mayor and civil rights attorney Mike Swaim advised Darr that this is a violation of her first amendment rights. In 1983, US vs. Grace upheld a protestor's right to public forums, including state buildings.

"We are being told that our soldiers overseas are fighting for our freedoms," Darr explained, "and this is my freedom, handcuffed behind my back."

Once Darr is arrested, Came Homebound will clean up for the night. However, this arrest will not deter them from their protest and they will set up once again Saturday morning.

For more information on Corvallis CODEPINK, Came Homebound, and the Keep the Oregon National Guard Home campaign, see www.corvalliscodepink.org


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[Oublei]

1. Mother Against Guard Deployment Arrested

Salem, OREGON — Shortly after 12:30AM Saturday, November 15, Michele Darr was arrested on the state capitol building's steps. Darr, a mother of four small children, has fasted on the capitol steps for the last two weeks to bring attention to the Oregon National Guard deployment planned for April, the largest call-up since WWII. She hopes that by staying on the steps, she will bring attention to a proposed resolution to defederalize the Oregon National Guard which would keep the Guard in Oregon.

After being issued a citation for criminal trespass Thursday, Darr was told that she would be arrested if she stayed. When asked what she planned to do, Darr said "we are being told that our soldiers overseas are fighting for our freedoms–and this is my freedom."

Once Darr was arrested, she was told that she would be brought to the Marion County Police Department to be booked and released. One officer remained to observe the rest of Camp Homebound disassemble their shelter.

Darr and Camp Homebound will return to the capitol early Saturday morning. "This is a public forum," said Darr. "This is supposed to be our building. This is where we have access to our legislators and our governor who can make this change. I can't give up now."

More information on the resolution and Camp Homebound can be found at www.corvalliscodepink.org.