CPTnet
April 17, 2003
CHICAGO: CPTers appear in court for MLK Day action

On Monday, April 14th three participants in a January action organized by
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) against the impending war on Iraq appeared
in U.S. District Court to defend themselves against charges of "creating a
disturbance" and "[non]conformity with signs and directions." Defending
themselves pro se (without a lawyer) were two CPTers, Dan Dale of Chicago,
IL, Barbara Howe of Gainesville, FL and CPT friend and supporter Stephanie
Knoll, also of Chicago, IL.

The action in January was organized in honor of Martin Luther King Day by
CPT's winter training group. Nine people attempted to enter Illinois
Senator Fitzgerald's office bearing coffins of likely victims of a U.S.
attack on Iraq. Federal officers arrested three in the lobby and the rest
later in the senator's office. Four of those arrested chose to take their
cases to trial.
The court granted one of the four, Chris Brown, --currently serving with the
Hebron team-- a continuance for his case.

Dale and Howe both pled not guilty and requested a bench trial which
happened immediately after their plea. The prosecutors called two of the
arresting officers as witnesses. In their defense, Dale and Howe
cross-examined the witnesses and argued that it was their constitutional
right to visit their senator and that officers created confusion by changing
the terms of the negotiated agreement. After recognizing the rightful
duties of officers to protect the federal building, the judge ruled that
confusion and miscommunication had occurred in that situation and dismissed
the charges against both of the defendants.

Knoll, one of the action participants who successfully entered the senator's
office, plea-bargained with the prosecution before the proceedings for
community service. However, when she went before the judge to be sentenced
he imposed the original $25 fine --but did not add on any additional court
costs.