Des Moines Register
By JASON CLAYWORTH
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
September 25, 2006
About a dozen war protestors were ticketed Monday when they refused to leave the offices or buildings of elected officials, a group spokesman said.
The tickets carry a $100 fine.
The protestors Monday went to the Des Moines offices of U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley and U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell as part of “Declaration of Peace,” a national effort that has staged more than 300 demonstrations across the country since Sept. 22.
The activists wanted the lawmakers, both of whom were in Washington, D.C., to push for an end to the war in Iraq. Sept. 21, referred to as the “International Day of Peace,” was a deadline set by anti-war groups for the government to forge a plan to end the war. About 100 people protested in Des Moines. Most gathered at Nollen Plaza.
Brian Terrell, the director of Catholic Peace Ministry, said he and his wife were issued two of the 11 tickets for “failure to comply with directions” from Federal Protection Services officials. An employee of the department declined to comment Monday.
“I think, historically, civil disobedience has always helped create the situation where things can change,” Terrell said.
Boswell, whose offices are about four blocks from Grassley’s, spoke with the group by telephone for about 45 minutes. Neither signed the agreement.
“I have urged the president to level with the American people on when he thinks the Iraqi forces will be trained and ready to defend themselves. When that goal is achieved, we can begin phased withdrawal of U.S. forces,” Boswell said. “In that absence, I do not support a timetable. I certainly respect the group’s right to their beliefs on this matter, and hope that they will respect mine.”
Beth Levine, the press secretary for Grassley, said he “has said many times that a prearranged timeline would only embolden the insurgency and undermine the efforts of the troops.”