Judge Reduces Jury Award for Bush Protesters

Christine Nelson stands May 18, 2006, at the spot where she says she was first told by Secret Service agents to move at a 2004 President Bush campaign rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In the months before the 2004 election, dozens of people across the nation were banished from or arrested at Bush political rallies, some for heckling the president, others simply for wearing clothing or holding signs expressing opposition to the war and administration policies. Now, federal officials and state and local authorities are being forced to defend themselves against lawsuits challenging the arrests and security policies. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Oct 3, 2008 at 12:57 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 3, 2008 at 12:57 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS (AP) - A federal judge has reduced a jury award for two women who were arrested at a President Bush rally and illegally strip searched.

U.S. District Court Judge Linda R. Reade reduced the awards for Alice McCabe and Christine Nelson on Thursday. A jury awarded McCabe $250,000 and $500,000 to Nelson following a trial in June, but Reade said the awards were excessive.

Reade said that if the former Cedar Rapids teachers didn't want to accept the awards, a new trial would be scheduled to determine damages.

The women were arrested in 2004 after protesting at a Bush rally in Cedar Rapids. They have five business days from the date of Reade's ruling to accept the awards or a new trial will be scheduled.

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