(x posted) Charges against protesters dropped

[orleans]

Source: Naperville Sun

WHEATON -- Charges have been dropped against two anti-war protesters who believed they were being prosecuted for their political beliefs.

Sarah Hartfield, 46, of Naperville and Jeff Zurawski, 41, of Downers Grove were joined by about 50 supporters in court Wednesday.

With the trial slated to begin at 1:30 p.m., prosecutors moved to dismiss the charges when the state's complaining witness did not appear by 2 p.m.

Earlier this year truck driver Charles Hardin appeared in court to testify as to the 911 call he made May 6, 2007, alerting police to the protest Hartfield and Zurawski had staged from the Great Western Trail above Interstate 355.

The two hung a banner that read "Impeach Bush and Cheney - LIARS" alongside an upside-down American flag.

Hardin told emergency dispatchers he believed the protesters to be kids who may have been throwing items from the bridge, causing traffic to snarl - something Zurawski and Hartfield both deny.

Although DuPage County sheriff's deputies had contact with Zurawski and Hartfield that day, neither was immediately arrested nor cited.

Instead, warrants were issued for their arrest three weeks later on the charge of disorderly conduct. But in October, prosecutors upgraded the charges to reckless conduct, accusing them of making a "throwing motion in the direction of vehicles."

Without Hardin, prosecutors could not prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Zurawski and Hartfield's supporters erupted into a standing ovation as Judge Ronald Sutter dismissed the case.

"The heroes of this story are Jeff and Sarah," Naperville attorney Shawn Collins said outside the courtroom Wednesday. Collins had taken on Zurawski and Hartfield's case pro bono.

Zurawski said his faith in DuPage County's leaders has been tested since his arrest, but an apology would go a long way.

"We deserve a right to express our opinion without being hassled by DuPage County sheriff's deputies or a vindictive state's attorney," he said.

Hartfield, who was holding back tears after the court proceedings, said she's not going to change her lifestyle on account of this incident but considers it a lesson learned.

"It's life and I'm a student of life," she said. "Sometimes life is taught in the school of hard knocks."

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1118772,6_1_NA21_PROTEST_S1.article

fucking birkett!

[mopinko]

1. sorta sad that it went this way.

would have liked to see birkett get a well deserved spanking.
am happy these 2 didn't have to mortgage the house, tho.