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http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_5587864?nclick_check=1
Pioneer Press | 04/03/2007
A war protest Tuesday at the St. Paul office of U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman halted traffic for half an hour and resulted in the arrest and ticketing of 25 protesters.
The protest, organized by the Anti-War Committee and the Twin Cities Peace Campaign, was to voice opposition to Coleman's stance on the war in Iraq.
"He's out of step with Minnesota's values - he's the most pro-war member of the congressional delegation. He's more aligned with Bush than he is with the average Minnesotan," said Meredith Aby, a steering-committee member of the Anti-War Committee.
Police had to clear about a dozen people from the street outside Coleman's 2550 University Ave. office after the 4:30 p.m. protest. Protesters, equipped with traffic cones, light signs and barricades, had to be carried from the scene just after 5 p.m.
Another dozen protesters were arrested after refusing to leave Coleman's office. Several dozen additional protesters showed up and remained on the sidewalk.
In a written statement, Tom Steward, Coleman's spokesman, said the office's doors "have always been open to all, including protesters, who are treated courteously when they are here. We ask that visitors to our office show the same courtesy we strive to show them."
Those arrested were charged with trespassing or blocking traffic, both misdemeanors, police officials said. They were released from custody Tuesday evening.
As to how police handled the incident, "The cops were peaceful; we were peaceful. It was a very peaceful demonstration," Aby said. - Tad Vezner
Anti-War
Committee |