US Veterans Arrested on Veteran's Day, During Veteran's Day Parade   Monday, November 12th, 2007

Eighteen people total were arrested in Boston yesterday after holding a peaceful protest during the Boston Veterans Day Parade, sponsored by the American Legion.  After being told they could not carry antiwar signs, members of the group Veterans for Peace added gags around their mouths, and clenched tightly to their signs that oppose the Iraq War.  The gags were to symbolize the violation of their right to free speech, they said.

"We were exercising our First Amendment rights," one protestor stated.  "The First Amendment protects free speech, even when you don't agree with what's being said."  When some demonstrators refused to move from the frong of the podium, they were placed in plastic handcuffs and led away, during the Boston Firemen's Band's Marine Hymn.

"Our free speech and civil rights are being abridged here," said a Vietnam veteran who was taken into custody.  "We are veterans, too, and we should be allowed to express our opposition to this war."

Police charged all of them - 15 men and 3 women - with Disturbing a Lawful Assembly of People.  The Veterans of Peace are notorious for their nonviolence, and the arrests have sparked anger on the day that we were meant to honor our veterans.  Notoriously violence-free, their site contains 198 ideas for non-violent action, as well as a full pageful of ways to contact lawmakers and participate in meetings and events peacefully.

Bookmark the Veterans for Peace website to keep up with the latest news about the protestors and the veterans' day in court.  And if you notice any, e-mail us to publish them, just in case we miss it!  We're no newshounds without you guys!

   

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