Telling Truth about
the Iraq War
by Jessica Stewart
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| The St. Pats Four: (left to right) Danny Burns, Peter DeMott, Teresa Grady and Claire Grady all of Ithaca. Photo:Stephen Schweitzer |
On March 17, 2003, just before the US "shock and awe" invasion of
Iraq, the four entered a military recruiting center in Lansing, NY and poured
their own blood carefully around the center's vestibule. Their act of nonviolent
resistance was in concert with over 7,000 people arrested nationwide and millions
who demonstrated worldwide in hopes of preventing the war.
The four went on trial last year in state court. Representing themselves, they
convinced nine (out of twelve) jurors that their actions were legally justified.
After twenty hours of deliberations the trial ended in a hung jury. Following
the first trial, the federal government decided the four should be re-prosecuted.
In February, 2005 they were indicted on federal charges. This is the only case
stemming from the pre-invasion civil disobedience actions that the federal government
is re-prosecuting.
The presiding federal judge, Hon. Thomas MacAvoy, has ruled that the "war
on Iraq is entirely irrelevant to this matter." According to this ruling,
they won't be able to offer evidence about how the war was not approved by the
UN, was based on lies and therefore was an illegal war of aggression. They won't
be allowed to offer evidence about duties, under the Nuremberg Principles, which
transcend obligations of national obedience. They won't be allowed to show how
causing a small harm (a mess) in order to prevent a much greater harm (illegal
war) is legally justified. He has even said they will not be allowed to present
evidence about why they went to the recruiting center. How can the twelve jurors
make a fair judgment of guilt or innocence if they are not allowed to hear the
whole story, if the defendants are not allowed to present their case?
In answer to this, a Citizens Tribunal on Iraq will occur concurrently with
the trial. Please join us as we put the war on trial during the week of September
18th, 2005.
For more information, please check out the website at www.stpatricksfour.org.
I can be reached at 607-280-0329 or js6076@msn.com.
• The Trial: It
will begin Monday, September 19th at 9am at the Binghamton,
NY, Federal Building on 15 Henry St. in downtown Binghamton. A photo
ID is required for admission to the court. The community is invited and encouraged
to come and be a witness both inside and outside the courthouse.
• The Citizens Tribunal on Iraq:
The tribunal will occur during the evenings of September
18th-22nd at 7pm in Binghamton and will articulate the moral and
legal ground for nonviolent resistance to this war. Participants include Gold
Star Families for Peace, Ray McGovern, Camilo Mejia, Liz McAllister, Medea Benjamin,
Rep. Maurice Hinchey and Rosalie Bertell. A thousand jurors of conscience are
needed. Check website for location.
• Hospitality: Meals and floor sleeping
space will be available for those wishing to come to Binghamton and offer support
during the week of the trial. Please let us know in advance if you would like
sleeping space.
• Outreach: Bumperstickers, buttons
and yard signs reading, "Stop the Iraq War, Acquit the St. Patrick's Four"
are available. Call 607-277-6932 if you would like some.
• Speaking Engagements: The four
are available to speak to groups. Please email db6076@isp.com
or call 607-280-0329 to set up a speaking engagement.
• Donations: Financial support is
desperately needed to help with outreach expenses. Donations can be received
through the website (www.stpatricksfour.org)
or by mail (Ithaca Catholic Worker, PO Box 293, Ithaca NY 14851). Please make
checks payable to Ithaca Catholic Worker, memo St. Pat's Four.
Jessica has been involved in organizing for justice and peace since she was a teenager. She has two sons, ages 2 ½ and four months. She and her partner, Danny Burns, are trying in their own small way to create a just and peaceful world.
