News & Politics - US representatives arrested at Sudan embassy protest

Lexis · 04-28-2006, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Five members of the U.S. Congress were arrested on Friday at a demonstration held at the Sudan embassy to protest atrocities in that country's Darfur region, congressional aides said.

The lawmakers, all Democrats, were Reps. Tom Lantos of California, James McGovern and John Olver of Massachusetts, James Moran of Virginia, and Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, aides to McGovern and Lantos said.

There were taken by van to a police station, aides said.

The aides said the lawmakers had been told they could not trespass on the embassy property. They made their statements off the property, then stood on the embassy steps.

The lawmakers did not leave after police warnings, and "were arrested one by one," Lantos' spokeswoman Lynne Weil said.

Spokesman Michael Mershon said he was on his way to the station to post $50 bond for McGovern's release.

Protests were being held this weekend to increase pressure to stop the violence in Darfur that the United States has called genocide.

Sudan is accused by United Nations and U.S. officials of arming marauding Arab militia, who have raped, pillaged, killed and driven into squalid camps some 2 million villagers. Sudan has denied the charge.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N28220577.htm

Well, I'm glad people are paying attention again and I think its kind of noble that these congressmen are taking a stand, despite the fact political opponants might use it against them.

Ms Carolyn · 04-28-2006, 05:28 PM

I think if political opponents try to use it against them, it will turn around and bite them in the butt. There is a vague but general sense that something is amiss in Darfur by citizens here in the U.S., and I don't think anyone will fault these congresspeople for taking a stand. At least, I hope not!


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