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Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Sentencing
Five members of the No Blood for Oil 12 will do jail time for their actions at the Military Recruitment Center last November.
Today the twelve activists faced Judge Hoppin in Jefferson County for sentencing. All twelve were given the sentence of 10 days in jail, which was suspended, plus 24 hours of community service and $244 in fees. Five members of the group chose 10 days of jail time in lieu of serving community service and paying the fees.
District Attorney, Ben Sollars, had asked the judge to fine each of the defendants an additional $387 to pay for law enforcement costs, but Judge Hoppin refused that request.
All twelve defendants spoke before their sentencing. Most stated that they had neither regrets nor remorse for their actions. Each person stated their horror and grief over the deaths of innocent Iraqis at the hands of the U.S. Before she was led away in handcuffs, Carolyn Bninski showed a photo of a dead Iraqi child that she had worn the day she was arrested. Drew Edmondson spoke to the irony of the situation, saying the judge and he shared the same passion for truth and justice, but they each pursue peace and justice in different ways while striving to bring it about in the best way that they can. He and Ellen Stark both plan to fast while serving their sentence. They will fast in solidarity with those, including Cindy Sheehan, who have been fasting since July 4th in D.C.
Bonnie McCormick and DeAnn Major will also be jailed, but they each received a stay of execution to get their affairs in order. DeAnn is an employed single parent. Bonnie, 85, asked that she be allowed to find care for her cat before she shows up for jail-time this coming Friday. As she negotiated with the judge, the intensity of her convictions regarding the illegality and devastation of the war brought tears to many eyes in the courtroom. Many of the defendants had expressed regret that they haven't done more to stop the war. Watching this 85 year old woman, who could represent everyone's mother, as she sweetly stood for her beliefs, I felt the pain of knowing that I, by my inactions, am complicit in the murders taking place in my name.
Today the twelve activists faced Judge Hoppin in Jefferson County for sentencing. All twelve were given the sentence of 10 days in jail, which was suspended, plus 24 hours of community service and $244 in fees. Five members of the group chose 10 days of jail time in lieu of serving community service and paying the fees.
District Attorney, Ben Sollars, had asked the judge to fine each of the defendants an additional $387 to pay for law enforcement costs, but Judge Hoppin refused that request.
All twelve defendants spoke before their sentencing. Most stated that they had neither regrets nor remorse for their actions. Each person stated their horror and grief over the deaths of innocent Iraqis at the hands of the U.S. Before she was led away in handcuffs, Carolyn Bninski showed a photo of a dead Iraqi child that she had worn the day she was arrested. Drew Edmondson spoke to the irony of the situation, saying the judge and he shared the same passion for truth and justice, but they each pursue peace and justice in different ways while striving to bring it about in the best way that they can. He and Ellen Stark both plan to fast while serving their sentence. They will fast in solidarity with those, including Cindy Sheehan, who have been fasting since July 4th in D.C.
Bonnie McCormick and DeAnn Major will also be jailed, but they each received a stay of execution to get their affairs in order. DeAnn is an employed single parent. Bonnie, 85, asked that she be allowed to find care for her cat before she shows up for jail-time this coming Friday. As she negotiated with the judge, the intensity of her convictions regarding the illegality and devastation of the war brought tears to many eyes in the courtroom. Many of the defendants had expressed regret that they haven't done more to stop the war. Watching this 85 year old woman, who could represent everyone's mother, as she sweetly stood for her beliefs, I felt the pain of knowing that I, by my inactions, am complicit in the murders taking place in my name.
posted by Carol at 10:31 AM
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