Protesters Spared Jail Time for Refusing to Leave Grassley’s Office

By: Steve Nicoles, Reporter

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Jul 6, 2007 at 4:45 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 6, 2007 at 8:39 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Dozens of protestors marched into federal offices for a chance to be heard. Senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin were not in their offices to hear the protests directly. But the protesters believe they got their message across.

How far would you go to fight for what you believe in? A group of people in Cedar Rapids were prepared to go to jail. They were protesting the war in Iraq. They marched straight to Senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin's offices.

Jeff Leys with Voices for Creative Nonviolence said, “To demand that they change their position on the war and to bring the troops home."

Grassley's office is at the federal courthouse. At first security only let one person in.

A protestor yelled, “How shameful of Senator Grassley to let this happen at his office."

The security officer said the protestors were not allowed in because a website warned of the protest. But after about an hour of chanting and cheers more people were allowed in. This time security cited the heat and the small crowd as reasons to let them in.

At Senator Harkin's office, the protestors had no problem getting in. And everyone stayed until closing.

Protestor Rose Persuad ssaid, “We refuse to give up hope for a chance at peace."

The protestors were prepared to stay inside after hours, risking arrest and a night in jail. Persaud said, “It is a risk, but people need to be willing. Our troops are risking their lives."

In the end, after nearly four hours, 22 people were issued citations which could be for as little as $65 per person. But the protestors at Grassley's office say it was still a success because they were able to actually get into his office.

No one from Senator Grassley's office would talk to TV-9. A spokeswoman for Senator Harkin says the senator supports ending the war. But as long as troops are in Iraq, he will continue funding them. Harkin does not want to leave the troops without protection.

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