Interfaith Members Get Arrested

3/15/03

SAN FRANCISCO—Bay Area Interfaith groups came together this Friday to commit acts of non-violent civil disobedience to protest the war in Iraq.

Quakers, Buddists, Dominican Monks, Jews and other denominations all came together to denounce the war and to demand immediate peace in the Middle East.

Approximately 70 people blocked the entrance to the Federal Building while the crowd sang peace and resistance songs and thanked the protesters for getting arrested.

When asked why she was willing to get arrested, Eshter Ho, who is a member of one of the traditional three historic peace churches, the Church of the Brethren, said "Sometimes we are forced to disobey laws and take the consequences in order to achieve a higher purpose. Right now we need to change illegal actions of the state."

Renowned peace and justice activist Father Louie Vitale, in Franciscan robes was going to participate in his sixth arrest since 9/11. In January, he was released from a three month stint at Nellis Prison Camp for trespassing at the notorious School of Americas in Fort Benning, GA. "This is an unjust war and this is why we are out here." He said to the over 300 people in attendance.

"We know we are fighting for justice. Never before has there been these kinds of numbers coming out against the war, marches that are bigger then the marches during the height of the Vietnam War. George Bush and Tony Blair have ignored the will of the people," Vitale continued.

Marine mother, Judith Ann Ross, showed up in support of the action saying that "she opposes the war in Iraq and I feel I have a special need to speak out. I don’t want my son to be sacrificed for this unnecessary war. This is not a defensive war. Iraq didn’t attack us. It is just an invasion of another country. It’s cruel to put our children in such a war."

As the arrest began civility was definitely the apt word at this action of civil disobedience as even the arrestees made sure to thank the police as they tied their hands behind their backs and led them into the dark cavern of the Federal Building.