12-Year-Old Protester Arrested At Senator's Office

[The Northerner]

DES MOINES, Iowa -- A 12-year-old girl has been arrested for trespassing after she allegedly refused to leave U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin's office in Des Moines while protesting the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Frankie Hughes was arrested on late Wednesday. Her mother, Renee Espeland, who was standing outside the Iowa Democrat's office, was ticketed for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Police were called after another woman, Christine Gaunt, allegedly refused to leave Harkin's office when it closed. Police found Gaunt and Hughes in the office, and both were arrested.

Sally Frank, a law professor at Drake University, said she will probably defend the protesters. She said she thinks police were "trying to put a scare into the peace movement."

http://www.kcci.com/politics/23099973/detail.html

[provis99]

1. Contributing to the delinquency of a minor?

The mother should get the Medal of Freedom, not a citation. She deserves it more than George Tenet.

[DesertFlower]

2. i agree. nt

[trixie]

3. I disagree!

I agree with the protest but it seems like mommy was too scared and had the kid do the dirty work.

[ShortnFiery]

5. That 12 year old girl has my utmost respect. At least some people are standing against this war.

[TheMadMonk]

12. The mother should get her arse kicked from one end of High Street to the other.

If she stood by her daughter, she would have been standing beside her inside the office. Instead she tried to cover her own arse by keeping it outside on the pavement whilst sending/allowing her kid inside alone, probably thinking that no one would risk the bad press coming from being a big meanie to a kid.

The right to gather/protest is much like the right to free speech. It applies to the public commons, NOT the private property of others. Even if there is an implied open invitation, as with shops, offices, etc. When such an implied invitation exists, it may be rescinded at any time by a simple request to leave. Failure to comply is trespass.

Somehow or other, and utterly regardless of public opinion, I doubt that anything will ever come of the kid's "arrest". That is simply down to the simple fact that cops are not permitted by law to scruff the kid (or anyone else for that matter) and drag them outside/home. They can request, but if that request is refused, then if the property owner (or their agent) insists on a trespasser leaving their property, the police have absolutely no choice but to conduct a formal arrest of the trespasser.

[Luminous Animal]

Dude, a Senator's office is public property and thus belongs to the public comons.

I was a political activist when I was 12. My parent's were not but stood by me, NOT with me, to support me when I took the risks.

[TheMadMonk]

14. No it is not. It is publicly funded property. A small but very distinct legal difference.

Try pulling a stunt like that on public schoolgrounds (which by your logic belong to the public commons) and there's a good chance you'll face a lot more than just a tresspass charge. Particularly if school is in.

As for parents. If they encorage/or allow their children to break the law, then they should face the consequences.

[Luminous Animal]

13. Dupe. Delete

[proteus_lives]

4. Kids shouldn't protest until they're old enough to form their own opinions.

12 is on the edge but she shouldn't have been there.

[ShortnFiery]

6. OMG! 12 year olds do have their own opinions. eom

[Luminous Animal]

11. Are 12 year olds old enough to accept the tenants of religion?

At 10 years old, I was organizing my neighborhood against the vietnam war. My parents were liberal and sympathetic but not activists.

At 10 years old, my daughter freely chose to volunteer for Nader's campaign. At 11, she was prepared to be arrested to protest the invasion of Afghanistan.

[sandnsea]

7. The arrest creates the media

which is the only point of breaking the law during a protest. I hope the girl's mother told her that so she knew to be prepared for the arrest.

If you don't want to get arrested, have a legal protest.

[Cid_B]

8. Yeah, Im sure...

the daughter will appreciate having a rap sheet to help fulfill her mothers need for attention. I would have cut the girl loose and fined/charge the mom for everything thats legal.

Parents who use their kids like this are disgusting. 8 year olds with a sign that says anything about the "military industrial war machine" or the like should be considered for adoption.

[Hippo_Tron]

10. Hey, at least the anti-war protesters teach their kids proper spelling

[Onceuponalife]

9. Go, Frankie, go!

At least there is one person who still remembers the two (2!) wars we are waging.

[diveguy]

15. That is just sad

Great job to the young lady. But, what kind of parent would leave their child alone knowing what the outcome would most likely be. The mother had to see the police going into the building.

Good thing is, most likely, the charges will be dismissed. The only why a leo can physically remove someone is by arrest.