Protestors ask for trial - Won't be prosecuted (Cape Cod)

[unhappycamper]

A group of peace protesters gathered outside Barnstable District Court today as the four defendants were about to enter for a pre-trial conference on a civil disobedience charge. Troy Clarkson photo.


Peace Protestors ask for trial - Won't be prosecuted
04/25/08 · 4:28 pm :: posted by CCToday

Local peace activists Sarah Thacher, Diane Turco, Mike Risch and Paul Rifkin and from a March 20 arrest for trespassing in the office of U.S. Rep. William Delahunt made an appearance in Barnstable District Court this morning.

Appearing before Judge W.J. O'Neill, the four co-defendants opted to waive the pre-trial conference to negotiate a settlement and opted to schedule a trial for their civil disobedience.

Likely aided by an effort to avoid the publicity of a trial, the wheels of justice then began to spin swiftly. Local attorney Arthur Riley stepped in to provide pro-bono services and the District Attorney's Office offered a declaration of "nolo prosequi," meaning the DA declined to prosecute further. Paul and his co-defendants were free to go, ending their journey to peace and public awareness without any courtroom theater.

Before the court appearance, the four peacefully protested outside the courthouse with 30 anti-war activists, including many who regularly attend the Saturday morning peace vigils in Falmouth and other supporters from as far away as Boston and Provincetown. After the day's events, Rifkin lamented the disposition, as he was looking forward to the opportunity for the trial to provide a wide venue for his anti-war message.

Rifkin said his next step in pursuit of peace will be to follow the next supplemental war appropriation as it ambles its way through Congress. In addition, he is organizing a public forum and debate on the war on terror and has enlisted a hawkish adversary, former Falmouth Selectman Troy Clarkson, to offer an alternative viewpoint."



Article at: http://www.capecodtoday.com/blogs/index.php/2008/04/25/peace-protestors-ask-for-trial-won-t-be-?blog=53


uhc comments: The --> offense. The Cape Cod 4 got the same treatment as the Veterans Day 18 - case dismissed. At the moment, we are two for two in Massachusetts.

[DFW]

1. Though a Southerner stationed in Europe, I ALWAYS vacation in Cape Cod

My kind of people!

[unhappycamper]

2. They are really, really nice people.

And the beaches are nice too!

[DFW]

7. That they are!

Always a welcome change from the crowded, smoky, rainy North Sea Coast up the road
from here, or the REALLY crowded and REALLY expensive Mediterranean coast to the south.

But we have been going to the Cape for 25 years now. The restaurant owners know us
on a first-name basis, and I'm even invited to help do shows at WOMR, the community
radio station, when I'm on vacation there, just because I walked in there one day
20 years ago and said hi. My kind of people, my kind of place!

[Breeze54]

3. Good deal but the publicity would have been nice!

Do you think Delahunt interceded?

Great pic too!

:kick: & Recommended

[unhappycamper]

4. Naaaah.

Delahunt or Delahunt's staff sicced the cops on them in the first place. I suspect the DA and the judge recognized the seriousness of putting the occupation on trial in Massachusetts.

[Richard Steele]

5. Justice, of a sort. K&R

[PuraVidaDreamin]

6. and the same treatment as the "Hyannis 6" two years ago- dropped charges

So- 3 for 3

This war will never be brought to trial because most of the dems are just as complicit

However- my letters to Delahunt regarding what he is doing to prevent war with Iran are going unanswered-
And I will be in his office to handcuff myself to something if Cheney and Betrayus get their way.

These 4 patriots are my heroes- and mentors.
btw- so are you UHC

[lonestarnot]

8. Wear a helmet and some insulation and a wet handkerchief!

:thumbsup: :hug: :loveya: