A 76-year-old activist arrested at a sit-in in Washington State’s Rep. Rick Larsen’s Bellingham office yesterday. The action had been planned for weeks by a group of local peace activists.
According to a witness, “Several people were there sitting-in waiting to find out from Larsen (through a local staffer) why he had not signed the Declaration of Peace Pledge. The deal was that the congressional members sign it by the 21 of Sept [Int’l. Peace Day] or there would be non-violent actions. They got the run around from the office and were told that maybe they would have some info by tomorrow (Friday).”
The arrest of the older woman was made because of refusal to leave before she had gotten an answer at closing time.
The rest of the group returned to Larsen’s office on Friday to wait for the promised responses to their questions. A district staffer from his Everett, Washington office was there and informed the group that Larsen did not intend to sign on the the Declaration of Peace. Another activist was arrested while on an office telephone speaking to a Larsen D.C. staffer after closing time.
A touch of humor: the group had a banner in front of the office that said “Free Rick Larsen”. The explanation was that Rick voted against the war authorization in the first place but has been supporting it ever since so apparently is being held hostage by someone.
