(Peace) Activist, 91, avoids jail time

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Christopher Burbach

Nonagenarian peace activist Peg Gallagher won’t be fitted for a jail jumpsuit after her sentencing Wednesday in Douglas County District Court.

But she wondered if a reflective vest might be in her future.

Gallagher, 91, was sentenced to the county’s Offender Work Program after pleading guilty to a charge of refusal to leave. She was one of eight people charged after they staged a “die-in” Nov. 4 during a military symposium at the Qwest Center Omaha. They were protesting arms in outer space.

On Wednesday, Gallagher courted jail time by telling Judge Craig McDermott that she would refuse to pay a fine if he ordered one. She said she could not in good conscience pay a fine for “doing the right thing.” She had told a different judge the same thing under similar circumstances last year.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20091210/NEWS01/712109947

[truthisfreedom]

1. When confronted with both the truth and age...

It's tough to be mean.

[pleah]

2. K&R

[midnight]

3. Ms. Gallagher has the right idea...

[tomg]

4. That is courage. nt

[pundaint]

5. That is power. Peg is teaching us.

[Arctic Dave]

6. Protest the war, go to jail. Commit war crimes, get paid to lecture about it.

[chill_wind]

7. The irony of that fact is overwhelming. n/t

[asdjrocky]

8. Now THAT'S a REAL American.