On 22 July, CPTers carried
symbols of death and destruction into the Chicago office of U.S.
Congressman Rahm Emmanuel (D-IL), who has consistently voted in favor
of funding the Iraq war. "We are delivering what Rahm Emmanuel
has ordered through his votes," said CPT training participant
Paul Horst.
Horst, dressed in a
delivery uniform, began to check off items on an order receipt as
others filed into the office and deposited automobile parts,
decimated household goods, broken toys, damaged medical supplies,
small coffins, large photographs, and boxes labeled with additional
types of war-torn debris, all to the steady beat of a drum. Then,
participants representing dead or traumatized soldiers and civilians
laid down their bodies amidst the rubble.
"Delivery Person"
Horst informed the office staff that the group could not leave
without Congressman Emmanuel's signature, either on the order receipt
or on a pledge to vote against future Iraq war funding measures.
They presented a peace lily with the pledge, urging the Congressman
to choose an alternative to war. The staff declined to fax either
document to the Congressman's Washington, DC office, so the die-in
continued.
Outside the office, CPTers
and supporters stood under a large banner that read, "Stop
Funding Death and Destruction in Iraq." They sang, beat drums,
distributed leaflets and encouraged passing cars to honk for peace.
Shortly before 5:00 p.m.,
Chicago police arrived and arrested nine CPTers inside the office on
charges of trespassing. Officers used degrading language and rough
physical tactics including kicking against participant Andy Oliver,
who remained limp in his role as a fallen U.S. soldier.