CPTnet
March 15, 2003
CHICAGO: Christian Peacemaker found guilty for participating in Boeing
prayer witness

"This was an act of evangelical obedience", stated Char Smith (CPT
Reservist), Tuesday, March 11th, as the Cook County Court sentenced her to
thirty hours community service and one year of supervision. The city dropped
charges against Jessica Phillips (CPT Corp), and Mary Yoder (CPT Reservist.)

On July 22, 2002, the three members of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT)
participated in a prayer vigil along with approximately fifty other CPTers
and supporters to mourn the bloodshed caused by Boeing-manufactured weapons.
The vigil included symbolic pouring of red food coloring into the Chicago
River in front of Boeing headquarters.

Just prior to sentencing, Smith was allowed to make a statement to the
court. She said that her strong belief in non-violence lead her to
participate with CPT. While she was in Bethlehem with a CPT delegation,
Apache helicopters, made by Boeing, flew overhead. "I was so scared, and I
saw many houses that had been hit by Apache helicopters. I was horrified at
what I saw, especially the targeting of civilians."

Still pending is the City's law suit for $8000 against Smith, Phillips,
Yoder, and CPT. The City seeks to recover costs for lab analysis of the red
food coloring, involvement of Environmental Services, and sending police
officers to the scene.