A group of peace protesters gathered outside Barnstable District Court today as the four defendants were about to enter for a pre-trial conference on a civil disobedience charge. Troy Clarkson photo.


Peace Protestors ask for trial - Won't be prosecuted
04/25/08 · 4:28 pm :: posted by CCToday

Local peace activists Sarah Thacher, Diane Turco, Mike Risch and Paul Rifkin and from a March 20 arrest for trespassing in the office of U.S. Rep. William Delahunt made an appearance in Barnstable District Court this morning.

Appearing before Judge W.J. O'Neill, the four co-defendants opted to waive the pre-trial conference to negotiate a settlement and opted to schedule a trial for their civil disobedience.

Likely aided by an effort to avoid the publicity of a trial, the wheels of justice then began to spin swiftly. Local attorney Arthur Riley stepped in to provide pro-bono services and the District Attorney's Office offered a declaration of "nolo prosequi," meaning the DA declined to prosecute further. Paul and his co-defendants were free to go, ending their journey to peace and public awareness without any courtroom theater.

Before the court appearance, the four peacefully protested outside the courthouse with 30 anti-war activists, including many who regularly attend the Saturday morning peace vigils in Falmouth and other supporters from as far away as Boston and Provincetown. After the day's events, Rifkin lamented the disposition, as he was looking forward to the opportunity for the trial to provide a wide venue for his anti-war message.

Rifkin said his next step in pursuit of peace will be to follow the next supplemental war appropriation as it ambles its way through Congress. In addition, he is organizing a public forum and debate on the war on terror and has enlisted a hawkish adversary, former Falmouth Selectman Troy Clarkson, to offer an alternative viewpoint."



Article at: http://www.capecodtoday.com/blogs/index.ph...


uhc comments: The --> offense. The Cape Cod 4 got the same treatment as the Veterans Day 18 - case dismissed. At the moment, we are two for two in Massachusetts.