Arrests at Rochester Antiwar Demonstration

Seven activists arrested in the street after march downtown. A crowd of a few hundred gathered at the liberty pole this evening to commemorate five years of war in Iraq. After listening to speakers, people marched down East Ave, staying mainly on sidewalks with police escorts, ending up outside the IRS building across from the Little Theater. A group of six took action, dragging a flag-draped coffin into the middle of the street, kneeling to pray over it. <!--break--> <img src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/1_img_0623.jpg" align="left">Police handcuffed and removed the them, taking the six to the opposite side of the street, where they were eventually loaded into cars. The six who were arrested were: Kathy Castania, Mike Connelly, Harry Murray, Sister Grace Miller, Rita Lewis, and Eli Yewdall. In response, several protesters crossed the street. Some were reprimanded for being in the street. Some stayed in the street close to the curb and were never told to get on the sidewalk. Jake Allen was one who took steps into the street. He was grabbed by a police officer saying &quot;Thats it! You're going too. Anyone else?&quot; and walked across the street to be handcuffed and put into a patrol car. This is one eyewitness account, with the names of those arrested confirmed by folks at the jail right now. More information will be posted as it becomes available. I believe that anyone who is interested is encouraged to go to the jail with musical instruments or food to be present in solidarity with those inside.

<p>Seven activists arrested in the street after march downtown.</p> <p>A crowd of a few hundred gathered at the liberty pole this evening to commemorate five years of war in Iraq. After listening to speakers, people marched down East Ave, staying mainly on sidewalks with police escorts, ending up outside the IRS building across from the Little Theater. A group of six took action, dragging a flag-draped coffin into the middle of the street, kneeling to pray over it.</p> <!--break--><p><img src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/1_img_0623.jpg" align="left" />Police handcuffed and removed the them, taking the six to the opposite side of the street, where they were eventually loaded into cars. The six who were arrested were: Kathy Castania, Mike Connelly, Harry Murray, Sister Grace Miller, Rita Lewis, and Eli Yewdall. In response, several protesters crossed the street. Some were reprimanded for being in the street. Some stayed in the street close to the curb and were never told to get on the sidewalk. Jake Allen was one who took steps into the street. He was grabbed by a police officer saying "Thats it! You're going too. Anyone else?" and walked across the street to be handcuffed and put into a patrol car.</p> <p>This is one eyewitness account, with the names of those arrested confirmed by folks at the jail right now. More information will be posted as it becomes available. I believe that anyone who is interested is encouraged to go to the jail with musical instruments or food to be present in solidarity with those inside.</p>