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17 Anti-War Protesters Arrested in L.A.
The demonstrators refused police orders to stop blocking a sidewalk outside a downtown federal building.
From Associated Press

January 16 2003, 12:39 PM PST

Seventeen people protesting the Bush administration's threatened war against Iraq were arrested today when they refused police orders to stop blocking a sidewalk during a demonstration outside a downtown federal building.

About 75 others applauded and shouted "No blood for oil" as the 17 were handcuffed and taken away in buses to be cited for misdemeanors at police headquarters.

"I'm vehemently against the war," said actress Shiva Rose McDermott, who was arrested. "I think it's hypocritical of us as a country to say we're trying to save the Iraqi people when in fact we're putting in a puppet government to preserve oil interests."

The protesters were arrested after they lay down in rows next to cardboard coffins labeled "Democracy," "Dreams" and "International Law," and ignored orders to disperse. They peacefully stood and went with police as they were taken into custody.

The demonstration was organized by the American Friends Service Committee Pacific Southwest Region. The arrestees ranged from a 26-year-old musician to a 63-year-old grandfather and included a Navy veteran of the Gulf War.

view photos here:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-011603protest_wr,0,6665090.story?coll=la%2Dhome%2Dheadlines