The anti-war protesters who were arrested in a nonviolent demonstration outside the Military Science building and at an Army recruiting station in west Eugene last month were charged on Friday, and roughly 30 people gathered outside Eugene City Hall before the hearing to show their support.
“We are here in support of those arrested,” said Michael Carrigan of Oregon PeaceWorks and the Community Alliance of Lane County’s Progressive Responses. Carrigan assisted in organizing the demonstration, which included the arrests of those who blocked the entrances of the University’s Military Science building and held a sit-in with the intent of “disrupting military business,” according to Karla Cohen, one of the seven people arrested.
Those arrested on campus on Nov. 18 were Eugene residents Karla Cohen, 36; Henry Dizney, 79; Ruth Koenig, 64; Penny Palmer, 64; Fraeda Scholz, 26; Dorean Schubert, 50; and Kyle Yamada, 28. They were charged with Criminal Trespass II, and each pleaded not guilty.
Brian Michaels, the lawyer representing those arrested, said Friday he bargained with the prosecutor and the charges would be reduced from misdemeanors to violations, and the arrested would only see fines of up to $165. War protesters showed their support of the total 11 arrested by pouring into the small courtroom at the Eugene Municipal Court.
The original anti-Iraq war demonstration was organized to create the most peaceful demonstration possible, while giving “the enemies a chance to respond,” said Peter Chabarek, one of the main organizers of the protest.
Cohen and other anti-war protesters are already looking forward to their next effort to end the war.
“Civil disobedience is the loudest way (to get the message) across,” she said.
– Ryan Knutson