| Page 3 of 3 < |
Protesters & Police, Adhering to an Arresting Script
Activist Cindy Sheehan, above, proves to be a magnet for the media during yesterday's civil disobedience in front of the White House. Below, Cheryl Norris peers from the back of a police van, while another protester shows the plastic handcuffs police used in making arrests.
(Photos By Katherine Frey For The Washington Post)
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Cindy Sheehan [turning away from the gate, rebuffed again]: He won't meet with us!
Somehow, they expected as much. The group walks to a spot directly in front of the White House -- where demonstrations are illegal. Also not allowed: affixing nametags of the dead to the fence, which the group does. Four men wearing Guantanamo-style orange jumpsuits and black hoods step up on the base of the fence.
SWAT commander: All the media, go to your area. We're getting ready to go with our announcements. [Reading from a sheet of paper, using a bullhorn to give the first of three warnings to the protesters.] All those who remain on the closed portion of the White House sidewalk will be arrested.
After two more warnings, enter, stage left: More black-clad SWAT officers with white plastic handcuffs. Sheehan is the first to be cuffed. She goes limp, and they hoist her up. She smiles briefly. Then she walks the rest of the way to the police van.
Sgt. Scott Fear [ Park Police spokesman]: A lot of times they try to get the leader first.
Exit, stage right: The first van full of arrestees, charged with demonstrating without a permit. Consequences: $50 fine or stand trial.
Clark: I'm thrilled that this many people are willing to take the next step of nonviolent resistance and have this level of determination and seriousness about opposing the war.
Code Pink [the women's protest group, a dozen members of which chant]: Rita, Katrina, we need another lead-ah. War in Iraq, we want our country back!
Then they sing "America the Beautiful" as the handcuffing drags on for 4 1/2 hours and the audience drifts away.
