Anti-War Activists Denied Access to Elected Representatives in Federal Building
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On June 13, members of the local branch of Declaration for Peace struggled with Wackenhut security guards to get inside the Keating Federal Building in order to read the names of slain Iraqis and US soldiers.
At the action, the group planned to read the names of war dead outside the offices of Senators Clinton and Schumer, and to hand deliver a position letter to their the elected representatives. Before the group entered the Federal Building, Wackenhut security guards informed them they could not enter the building. Harry Murray, another member of the Declaration of Peace, informed the security guard of a legal ruling that had been made by a federal judge in Iowa based on very similar circumstances. This ruling affirmed citizens' right to access Federal Buildings. After some negotiation, security allowed the group inside the lobby. However, they were not allowed to move beyond the lobby and to their representatives offices.
When a member of the group asked if anyone was in Louise Slaughter's office to receive a letter, security said no one was in Slaughter's office. They were told they would need to mail the letter if they wanted Slaughter's office to receive it. Moments later, Mary Adams, a member of the group, called the office and reached a secretary confirming the suspicion that the security guards were lying to the group.
After reading the names of War Dead the group was told that they could not return and that they were "given a break today." Security told the group they had been disruptive and that the previously mentioned Iowa ruling didn't apply to Rochester, that "Judge Telesca rules this building." Read the full article here.
