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Charges dismissed against Vets for Peace activists
Anti-war military veterans and other activists celebrated a breakthrough victory in DC Superior Court when charges were dropped yesterday following arrests in front of the White House on December 16, 2010. Over 131 people were arrested in a major veteran-led protest while participating in non-violent civil resistance in a driving snowstorm.
US Park Police charged all 131 protesters with "Failure to Obey a Lawful Order" when they refused to move. All remained fixed to the White House fence demanding an end to the continuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and further US aggression in the region.
Among those arrested were members of the leadership of the national organization Veterans for Peace, Pentagon Papers whistleblower Dr. Daniel Ellsberg; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges; former senior CIA analyst Ray McGovern; and, Dr. Margaret Flowers, advocate for single-payer health care.