14 Activists Arrested at US UnSupreme Court to Commemorate 35th Anniversary of First Execution: Jan 17, 2012

[Amber Mason]

http://youtu.be/inGmr3hjv_o   - video of Action

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Thirty-five years after the first execution under contemporary laws of Gary Gilmore, fourteen members of the Abolitionist Action Committee were arrested at the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday. Just after 10:00 am, at the exact time that Gilmore was executed, the group unfurled a 30-foot banner that read “STOP EXECUTIONS!” on the stairs of the Court. On the sidewalk, a crowd of well-over 100 supporters, activists and tourists supported and observed the action.

All fourteen were arrested and appeared the following day before a judge for arraignment. They were released on personal recognizance with a charge of violating the federal law (40 U.S.C. 6135) that forbids “processions or assemblages” and the displaying of banners on Supreme Court grounds. A status hearingtook place on February 8th, and the trial date is set for June 27, 2012 at Superior Court in Washington DC.

Those arrested were Anna Shockley (South Carolina), Ron Kaz (South Carolina), Rachel Lawler (Vermont), Tom Muther (Kansas), Amber Mason (Washington, DC), Kevin Mason (Washington, DC), Jon Dunn (New Mexico), Jack Payden-Travers (Virginia), Scott Langley (New York), Randy Gardner (Utah), Daniel Flynn (Washington, DC), Anne Feczko (Washington, DC), Charity Lee (Texas) and Eve Tetaz (Washington, DC).

Click here read more details, and to view more pics from the event