Right Now: Veterans Climb Government Building, Call for Arrest of Bush and Cheney

[GrannyK]

Right Now: Veterans Climb Government Building, Call for Arrest of Bush and Cheney
Impeachment movement challenges Bush at every turn


The enormous banner hanging from the National Archive building... right now!
Right now, five military veterans -- from Veterans for Peace -- are occupying a 35-foot high ledge at the National Archive Building and have raised a 22x8-foot banner reading, "DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION. ARREST BUSH AND CHENEY: WAR CRIMINALS!" The veterans currently risking arrest have declared their intention to stay on the ledge, fasting for 24 hours "in remembrance of those who have perished and those still suffering from the crimes of the Bush administration," according to a written statement.

On the ledge, the veterans have brought with them a portable PA system, and they are broadcasting recorded statements from prominent Americans for the impeachment and/or arrest of George W. Bush and Richard Cheney. Other impeachment activists are at the entrance of the National Archives distributing "Citizens Arrest Warrants" to those waiting in line.

Picture Here- votetoimpeace.org

This is the type of boldness that activists have displayed across the country to bring much-needed attention to this movement.



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 23, 2008 Contacts: Elliot Adams 518-441-2697, Ellen Barfield 410-948-8023, Tarak Kauff 845 249-9489


VETERANS OCCUPY NATIONAL ARCHIVES BUILDING


"Arresting Bush and Cheney for war crimes will honor our oath to the Constitution," vets say.



On Tuesday morning, September 23, 7:30am, at the front of the National Archives Building on Constitution Ave. in Washington, D.C., five military veterans will risk arrest as they climb a 9-foot retaining fence and occupy a 35-foot high ledge to raise a 22x8 foot banner stating, "DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION. ARREST BUSH AND CHENEY: WAR CRIMINALS!"


The group has declared its intention to stay on the ledge, fasting for 24 hours "in remembrance of those who have perished and those still suffering from the crimes of the Bush administration," according to a written statement. With a portable PA system, they will broadcast recorded statements from prominent Americans for the impeachment and/or arrest of George W. Bush and Richard Cheney. "Citizens Arrest Warrants" will be distributed to people waiting in line to enter the National Archives.


The veterans emphasized they are taking this action because "Bush and Cheney's serial abuse of the Law of the Land clearly marks them as domestic enemies of the Constitution… they have illegally invaded and occupied Iraq, deliberately destroyed civilian infrastructure, authorized torture, and unlawfully detained prisoners. These actions clearly mark them as war criminals…accountability extends beyond impeachment to prosecution for war crimes even after their terms of office expire."


"We take this action as a last resort," their statement added. "For years we have pursued every avenue open to good, vigilant citizens to bring these men to justice, to re-establish the rule of law, and to restore the balance of power described in our Constitution. We are not disturbing the peace; we are attempting to restore the peace. We are not conducting ourselves in a disorderly manner; our action is well-ordered and well-considered. We are not trespassing; we have come to the home of our Constitution to honor our oath to defend it."





Those participating are all members of Veterans For Peace and include Elliott Adams: 61, NY, VFP President and former Army paratrooper in Viet Nam; Ellen Barfield: 52, MD, former U.S. Army Sgt., full-time peace and justice advocate; Kim Carlyle: 61, NC, mountain homesteader, former Army Spec 5, 828-626-2572; Diane Wilson: 59, TX, shrimp boat captain, former Army medic, 361-785-4680; Doug Zachary: 58, TX, VFP staff, former USMC LCpl discharged as a conscientious objector, 512-791-9824; and Tarak Kauff (ground support) 67, NY, painting contractor, former U.S. Army Airborne.

[grannie4peace]

1. where are you getting your info?

[GrannyK]

4. Three places

Both emails. One from those involved.
website - votetoimpeace.org

[GrannyK]

29. UPDATE 4:40 PM EDT

Friend just talked to Elliot Adams who is on the ledge.
They appreciate the support, please keep it up.
Spread the message. Please notify media. Contact your Representatives.

[countryjake]

31. Thank you for the update!

I've already notified my local media.

My Representatives are hiding under the table.

[countryjake]

38. kick

[NeedleCast]

2. I think there is a misspelling in your link

[GrannyK]

6. Sorry

it should be: votetoimpeach.org

[The Wielding Truth]

3. Will this help?

http://dinofond.com/2008/09/23/veterans-climb-government-building-call-for-arrest-of-bush-and-cheney/

[The Wielding Truth]

9. Here's a better one.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/23/124256/124/615/607553

[countryjake]

27. I think DailyKos have the wrong videos up, here is one of today's action...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cemg4rAeRtA
September 23, 2008 - War Vets Occupying Archives

Here's some news on the story:

2:20 PM UPDATE: Spoke to VFP, Tarak Kauff, who is representing the group on the ground outside the Archives Building. He said the group is in "great spirits." They have a sound system and have been playing recordings of MLK Jr., Rep. Dennis Kucinich, and Vincent Bugliosi. Kauff reports that the City Police have been handling the situation very well. Would like them to come down, but are respecting their First Amendment Rights. One officer told them they could "stay up there all month if they wanted." The National Archives security are not as supportive as they see it as a security breach, but are not currently taking action. No indication if the group members will be arrested on their descent. It does not, however, look like they will be forced down. Kauff said they have lights so that it will all be lit up as night falls. The media has been showing a lot of interest. NBC news was just there filming. They are receiving calls from media outlets and radio shows all over the country. Stay tuned - Cheryl Biren-Wright

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Veterans-Occupy-National-A-by-Press-Release-080923-805.html

[Uncle Joe]

5. Right click on the link, Granny, copy and then you can paste it here. n/t

[dgibby]

21. I'm not granny, but could you walk me through that process?

I would like to include links in my posts, but am soooooooo brain dead when it comes to cut and paste. It's like I have a mental block or something. I'd worship at your shrine if you could explain it to me. You can pm me if you don't want to post here. Thanks in advance.:hi:

[Uncle Joe]

66. You can practice on this page,

go to the address at the top of the screen, right click on your mouse, a little blue window will pop up giving you the options of "cut", "copy", "paste" or "delete", put your cursor on "copy" and left click on your mouse, it's now retained in your puter's memory.

You can then make another post on D.U. or anywhere else including Microsoft Word, where you can then right click on your mouse and the blue window will open again, highlight "paste" in the blue window and left click on your mouse, and the link will magically transfer.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=389&topic_id=4067696&mesg_id=4068640

Peace to you.

:hi:

[dgibby]

69. Thank you so much!

I am computer impaired, but this really helps! Peace right back at you!:hi:

[GDAEx2]

7. kickity kick and rec!

edit to add:
<>
:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[GrannyK]

8. Can someone post the picture?

I'm techie challenged. There is a great photo at votetoimpeach.org. Would someone post it please? Thanks. K

[The Wielding Truth]

11. I have videos on post #9.

[countryjake]

28. Couldn't find that one, but here is one great photo of these vets...

Veterans For Peace is Taking Action - Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Found it here:

http://theamericanpatriotinstitute.blogspot.com/2008/09/veterans-for-peace-is-taking-action.html

[PuraVidaDreamin]

10. Everybody should be climbing wall with signs like this

These guys are heroes

[GrannyK]

12. OP edited with names of these heros

and contact info.

[GrannyK]

15. Puravidadreamin

I was was just informed that you were a medic at CC in 05. Thanks.:hi:
Kay from Peace House

[TxBlue]

13. Here are the Heroes! Kick

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. Maybe I spoke too soon...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4066441&mesg_id=4066527

[ensho]

16. true heros

nt

[dipsydoodle]

17. Good to know there's still some good old fashioned

heroes about and I hope this gets plenty of news coverage. K & R.

[guitar man]

18. Go Vets!!!! nt

[Benhurst]

19. God bless 'em!

And where are our so-called "leaders"?

[dgibby]

20. I got that e-mail, too, and K&R

just sent a donation to votetoimpeach.org. It's the least this veteran can do for my shipmates.:toast:

[GrannyK]

22. Thanks to all of you

for your responses and recs. This deserves to stay on the greatest page. I'm going to have to leave the computer for a while. Our vets for peace really deserve our support. Please consider going to vetsforpeace.org and making a donation.
Peace, K

[dgibby]

24. Will do. Thanks!

[Cleita]

23. God bless them and keep them safe.

Thank you vets for doing this.

[Dogtown]

25. Heroes

K&R

:patriot:

[countryjake]

26. Spreading truth and justice, truly fighting for our country!

"May the innocent find peace; may the dead find grace; may the wounded find healing; may the homeless find shelter; may America find forgiveness; and may justice find the guilty."



http://www.veteransforpeace.org/




Taking a stand for Democracy! These brave men and women, our own vets, demonstrate how to lead the way in recovering our nation. I salute them and I honor their action!

[dkofos]

30. I hope they can stay up there till after the election.

I will even volunteer to get up there with them, (and I have a fear of heights).

[countryjake]

32. Kick and nominating this "Must Read"!

[countryjake]

33. New video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1JAFasEYZY

[crickets]

60. Thanks for the link. Tarak Kauff, the first veteran interviewed, is spot on.

He speaks plainly about all of the reasons why impeachment is necessary and why nothing is being done: the precedents being set for future administrations, the loss of balance of powers and the rise of the unitary executive, secret signing statements, the utter lack of respect for the authority of Congress and the law, torture, the complete destruction of an innocent country, and a do-nothing Congress complicit in war crimes and dereliction of duty in fulfilling their oaths. He brought me to tears.

[nc4bo]

34. **Must Read** - Stay safe VFP!

:patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot:

[GrannyK]

35. Kicking to get back

on the front page. Please recommend. These vets need support for their action.
Thanks.

[countryjake]

36. another kick for the same reason n/t

[countryjake]

37. Evening Update....

9:15 P.M. UPDATE:

Checking in with Elliott Adams, President VFP, one of five Veterans for Peace occupying the ledge of the National Archives Building at 35-feet.
Regarding exchanges with authorities Elliott reports, "We’ve had a few more proposals of the ‘great deal’ we could get if we’d just get off the damn ledge. We respectfully declined."

Plans for the night? "We’re on the ledge trying to settle down. We’ve got lights on the banner. We’ve setup five two-hour watches so we’ll have somebody on watch all night, we brought up sleeping pads and space blankets." Elliott reported a steady stroll of curious onlookers and folks on the ground handing out flyers.

He continued, "The Archive guards have mounted a watch on us to make sure we don’t do…whatever...but, the other police forces have shown up periodically. It was pretty funny, for a long time they were trying to figure out who had jurisdiction. One group would come and they’d leave and then another group would come with their sirens going and they’d leave. It caused some kind of conundrum where the DC police didn’t think they had jurisdiction because it was Federal property, but the Archives doesn’t have a contract with the Federal police..."

Asked what he anticipates will happen when/if they descend tomorrow morning, Adams was unsure. "I have no idea. We can’t figure that out. Part of it depends on the shift changes. This morning it was the Archives people that were wanting to get us arrested and the DC Police were like ‘I don’t know…’ This evening the Archive guy was real nice and trying to talk us into leaving." Apparently, Mr. Archive indicated to the veterans that with the shift change of the DC Police, things might not go as smoothly....

read more:

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Veterans-Occupy-National-A-by-Press-Release-080923-805.html

[GrannyK]

51. Country Jake

Thanks so much for posting this and for supporting these brave patriots. And to all of you other posters; I don't have a lot of time to stay at the computer, so all of your help to keep this up at the top was an important aspect of visibility these types of actions require to have any effect.
I have so much high regard for Elliot Adams and Diane Wilson. They are always willing to go the extra mile for higher ideals this nation is supposed to demonstrate. God/Goddess Bless them, you, and all of planet Earth.
Again, Thank you ALL.
k

[countryjake]

63. Visibility...

the exact reason that banner was raised. The least one could do is kick this topic, for the brave souls who placed their necks on the line to demand justice and accountability for our country, the world.

It was distressing to see the 44 recommends that your post had already gotten simply disappear, with the introduction of DU's new rating system, and fall from front page into obscurity. I'm happy to see that many have re-rated and more DUers can see what others are doing to uphold those very vital ideals of a democratic system.

I applaud and respect these Veterans for Peace, for standing up as a Voice for so many of us in this foundering nation.

And I heartily thank you for bringing their action to our attention with this topic!

[jeff30997]

39. K&MR

:toast:

[tomp]

40. impeach now. nt

[salguine]

41. It breaks my heart that while these veterans are doing this,

Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and John Conyers are clearing their throats and staring at the floor and turning their backs. I hope they never have a sound night's sleep for the rest of their lives.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

44. Yes... I am choked up, fighting tears. Does this protest represent the last great stand?

Will we be able to express dissent in this manner two months from now?

[SpiralHawk]

42. Honorable US veterans Vs. Republicon chickenhawk leadership

No doubt freepers will rally with loud whining to support their chickenhawk leadership, once again dissing the men and women who actually served America with honor -- for that is the way of the republicon chickenhawks.

[B Calm]

43. I'm proud of these veterans taking a stand against the Bush Crime Family!

[marmar]

45. "People should not be afraid of their governments - governments should be afraid of their people."

V would be proud! :yourock:

[Lugnut]

46. Africkenmen!

:kick:

[happygoluckytoyou]

47. 5 VETS..... and 1000s of HEARTS ! God loves them for what they are doing

[glitch]

48. God I love these vets! K & R nt

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

49. Wow, I work right down the street from there. I may have to step outside and see what's going on...

[Castleman]

50. People like this make me PROUD to be an American!

It may take us awhile to get this house in order, but with men like this we cannot fail. What can WE do? If there's a ledge here in the Seattle area that someone wants to occupy with a banner, message me, I'll BE THERE! (and I'm spooked of heights, too!)

Just in case it hasn't been posted in quite this way, in case y'all forgot what the correct word for these guys is:

[IDsweetpea]

52. They need a second banner "RELEASE McCAIN'S RECORD!" nt

[Overseas]

53. K&R with many thanks to those veterans !! //nt

[EC]

54. This made my day

I'm sitting here at work and just smiled....

[codjh9]

55. God I wish it'd work, but it won't.

[concreteblue]

56. has this made the TEE VEE yet???

I don't have cable/sattelite

[shadowknows69]

57. I'm sure it won't

[Joe Chi Minh]

58. Bunch a cowards! Not like the ultra-patriotic Republican politicos and their

purple-heart-mocking base.

[Plucketeer]

59. FANTASTIC!!!

These guys deserve a Medal of Honor! :kick:

[Swamp Rat]

61. IMPEACH!!!!!!

[Plucketeer]

62. Nice phone chat!

Inspired by these folks actions, I called Ellen Barfield and left a message of appreciation in her voice mail box. Imagine my surprize when she called me back to thank me! Very COOL! Very sweet! Hats off to these heros. It's time OUR voices were heard!:applause:

[noiretextatique]

64. true patriots

:kick:

[noiretextatique]

65. true patriots

:kick:

[chknltl]

67. GrannyK: Here are step by step instructions on posting photos to your posts

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x8120622

[GrannyK]

71. chknltl

Thank you. I will bookmark that link and make use of that info.

[Phentex]

68. kick

kick

[midnight]

70. I love these brave Americans. They have been so patient, but

man, have they been done wrong. I'm sending my prayers that the people who need to see and hear this request are moving to make it happen.