Greenpeace Members Charged in Mount Rushmore G-8 Protest

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Source: CNN

(CNN) -- Eleven members of Greenpeace pleaded not guilty to federal charges after they were arrested for hanging a banner on South Dakota's Mount Rushmore Wednesday to protest global warming as the G-8 summit in Italy begins.

"America honors leaders not politicians: stop global warming," reads the 2,275-square-foot sign.

Twelve protesters were arrested, but one was released after questioning. The others appeared before a federal magistrate Wednesday afternoon and received citations for illegal climbing and trespassing, according to federal prosecutors.

Each person faces a maximum of six months in prison and possibly up to a $5,000 fine.

The charged protesters came from eight states, including California and New York. The banner was up for an hour before it was seized. The National Park Service is holding it as evidence, authorities said.

Some of the demonstrators breached a controlled area and got to the top of the monument, Mount Rushmore spokeswoman Patty Rooney told CNN.

Greenpeace, a nonprofit organization that supports environmental causes, said the sign is part of a global day of action to urge world leaders at the G-8 summit to make global warming a priority and to take the actions necessary to stop climate change.

more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/08/south.dakota.protest/

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