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Peace activists arrested at Pentagon today after attempting to meet with Secretary Gates
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Seven peace activists were arrested this morning as they attempted to meet with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at the Pentagon.
The activists, associated with the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, demanded in a March 7 letter to Gates that all military forces be withdrawn from Iraq and Afghanistan, and that bombings of Pakistan immediately cease. The activists from New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, and the District of Columbia were arrested by federal officers after they strenuously requested to meet with Gates.
"We wish to petition our government for a redress of grievances," said Michelle Grise, coordinator of NCNR. "Our grievance is that our government continues to engage in clear violations of international law by aggressively and immorally waging wars on countries which pose no immediate threat to our nation."
Retired D.C. public schoolteacher and veteran peace activist 78 year-old Eve Tetaz was also arrested. "We are here to demand that these illegal and immoral wars cease, and that our government instead seek peace and justice," Tetaz said. "We must remind Secretary Gates that all life is sacred."
The others arrested included: Manijeh Saba, Ellen Barfield, Pete Perry, Steve Mihalis, and Max Obuszewski.
The action took place on St. Patrick's Day to honor Peter DeMott, one of the four activists arrested for entering a military recruiting station on March 17, 2003, two days before the Iraq invasion. DeMott and the three others poured their blood, and recited liturgy in order to show their opposition to the Iraq War which begins its seventh year this week.
Other anti-war actions this week in Washington include nonviolent direct action by the college group, Our Spring Break Thursday, and a march to the Pentagon Saturday.
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