Senior Woman Protesting War Faces Jail Time
For Immediate Release June 29, 2007
Contact: Pete Perry, 571-271-1313
WASHINGTON – Dressed in the ancient mourning symbols of sackcloth and
ashes, a senior citizen protesting war was arrested twice Friday, and
violated a stay away order.
For the sixth and seventh times this year, Eve Tetaz, 75, a retired
D.C. public schoolteacher was arrested for nonviolently protesting the
illegal and immoral war and occupation of Iraq. She will be arraigned
in D.C. Superior Court Saturday morning, but it is unknown whether she
will be released or held.
Tetaz, of 17th Street, N.W., was first arrested in front of the White
House in a protest organizers described as a mourning for children
killed in war. The arrest happened at 12:45 p.m. and was conducted by
the U.S. Park Police.
"All life is sacred," Tetaz said. "No one is collateral damage."
Wearing a hand-made burlap dress and shawl and faced smudged with
ashes, Tetaz held one sign inscribed with a passage from the Gospel of
Matthew, "Rachel wept for her children and refused to be comforted
because they were no more."
She was released later that afternoon, and then her and a few friends
continued the anti-war protest on Capitol Hill, violating her stay
away order. After some hesitation and a peaceful discussion, Capitol
Hill Police stationed at the Hart Senate Office Building placed her
under arrest at 5:15 p.m.
"I am unable to comply with these orders, and after careful and
prayerful consideration, have decided to take the initiative by
deciding the circumstances under which I will begin serving my
sentence," Tetaz said. "I am following in the tradition of others.
There are many who have chosen to speak truth to power in this
fashion."
In May, Tetaz violated a stay away order from the Hart Senate Office
Building, and was arrested as soon as she entered the building with a
group of peace activists. She faces a contempt of court trial on that
matter, and could now face at least a month in jail.
On July 9, Tetaz will again appear in court for a jury trial, stemming
from an earlier protest inside the Hart Senate Office Building in
March. She was arrested along with six others while the Senate
approved $95 billion more in funding for war and occupation of Iraq
and Afghanistan.
A retired teacher for 30 years, Tetaz is the founder of Life Pathways,
a non-profit organization helping single parents become financially
independent and trained in the field of health care. A member of the
Church of the Savior, she has been an advocate for the poor on issues
of economics and social justice.
###
For Immediate Release June 29, 2007
Contact: Pete Perry, 571-271-1313
WASHINGTON – Dressed in the ancient mourning symbols of sackcloth and
ashes, a senior citizen protesting war was arrested twice Friday, and
violated a stay away order.
For the sixth and seventh times this year, Eve Tetaz, 75, a retired
D.C. public schoolteacher was arrested for nonviolently protesting the
illegal and immoral war and occupation of Iraq. She will be arraigned
in D.C. Superior Court Saturday morning, but it is unknown whether she
will be released or held.
Tetaz, of 17th Street, N.W., was first arrested in front of the White
House in a protest organizers described as a mourning for children
killed in war. The arrest happened at 12:45 p.m. and was conducted by
the U.S. Park Police.
"All life is sacred," Tetaz said. "No one is collateral damage."
Wearing a hand-made burlap dress and shawl and faced smudged with
ashes, Tetaz held one sign inscribed with a passage from the Gospel of
Matthew, "Rachel wept for her children and refused to be comforted
because they were no more."
She was released later that afternoon, and then her and a few friends
continued the anti-war protest on Capitol Hill, violating her stay
away order. After some hesitation and a peaceful discussion, Capitol
Hill Police stationed at the Hart Senate Office Building placed her
under arrest at 5:15 p.m.
"I am unable to comply with these orders, and after careful and
prayerful consideration, have decided to take the initiative by
deciding the circumstances under which I will begin serving my
sentence," Tetaz said. "I am following in the tradition of others.
There are many who have chosen to speak truth to power in this
fashion."
In May, Tetaz violated a stay away order from the Hart Senate Office
Building, and was arrested as soon as she entered the building with a
group of peace activists. She faces a contempt of court trial on that
matter, and could now face at least a month in jail.
On July 9, Tetaz will again appear in court for a jury trial, stemming
from an earlier protest inside the Hart Senate Office Building in
March. She was arrested along with six others while the Senate
approved $95 billion more in funding for war and occupation of Iraq
and Afghanistan.
A retired teacher for 30 years, Tetaz is the founder of Life Pathways,
a non-profit organization helping single parents become financially
independent and trained in the field of health care. A member of the
Church of the Savior, she has been an advocate for the poor on issues
of economics and social justice.
###
Comments
muchlove,
steve