EvilMonkey Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/c...story?track=rss Protesters arrested during Easter services at Holy Name Cathedral By Stacy St. Clair and Erika Slife | Tribune staff reporters 5:07 PM CDT, March 23, 2008 Six people were arrested at Holy Name Cathedral Sunday after disrupting an Easter mass to protest the Iraq war. The group—whose female and male members identified themselves as Catholic Schoolgirls Against the War—stood up at the beginning of Cardinal Francis George's homily and shouted their opposition to the conflict, which marked its fifth anniversary last week. As security guards and ushers tried to remove them from the service, the demonstrators squirted fake blood on themselves and parishioners dressed in their Easter finery. The red substance, which one protester later described as "stage blood," initially drew gasps and a few terrified yelps from the 600 worshipers at the mass. The shock, however, quickly transformed into anger as people booed the six while they were escorted from the parish auditorium. "Even the pope calls for peace," the demonstrators chanted as they left. "Even the pope calls for peace." "And so should we all," said George, drawing strong applause from the parish. The protesters were all charged with felony criminal damage to property and two counts of simple battery for squirting the blood around the auditorium and onto worshipers' clothes, authorities said. Chicago police identified the six arrested as Donte D. Smith, 18; Ephran Ramirez Jr., 22; Ryane Ziemba, 25; Mercedes Phinaih, 18; Regan Maher, 25; and Angela Haban, 20. George returned to his Easter homily without further addressing the disruption. A small number of worshipers, however, followed the protesters into the lobby to berate them for disrupting the service and frightening children in attendance. "Are you happy with yourselves?" Mike Wainscott of Chicago shouted at the demonstrators as they were being handcuffed. "There were kids in there. You scared little kids with your selfish act. Are you happy now?" In a statement issued Sunday afternoon by Catholic Schoolgirls Against the War, the group said it protested at Holy Name "to reach both Holy Name's large Easter audience—including Chicago's most prominent Catholic citizens, who commonly attend Easter mass at the church—and the many more viewers and readers of the local press, which usually extensively covers their services." The statement lauded the protesters' efforts to remind the churchgoers that on Jan. 7, 2008, George and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley met in Chicago with President Bush, described as the "principal public figure responsible for initiating the carnage in Iraq." While the group may have intended to do that, the jeers from an annoyed congregation and the security team's swift response made it difficult for them to deliver a succinct explanation for their disruption. "If Cardinal George is a man of peace and is walking the walk and talking the talk, he should have confronted George Bush and demanded an immediate end to the war," said Kevin Clark of International Solidarity Movement, who attended the service to serve as a witness for the protesters. After the service, the cardinal reiterated the Catholic Church's opposition to the war, but he said Easter mass is not the place to protest the U.S.-led invasion. "We should all work for peace," George said, "but not by interrupting the worship of God." I hope these idiots ARE charged, and found guilty, of the felonies. Then when they have that conviction keep popping up in job applications or security checks, they can ask themselves if it was worth it, every damn time. The Cardinal had it right, Easter mass is not the place to protest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostfan Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 lol, war protesters are starting to get on my damn nerves. If you want to use your 1st amendment rights to criticize the government go ahead and do that, I'm with you 100% if that's what you want to do and whether or not I agree is irrelevant. But sometimes it's just like... who exactly do you think you're reaching? When you do things like block traffic. Ok, you made me take an extra 30 minutes to get home from work, what did that accomplish? But yeah, no blood for oil! Right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkBomber Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I saw this on the news. Its gotta be one of the most pointless protests ever. They shouldnt even put it on the news to give them the satisfaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I love protests. I love people exercising their right to free speech. But do not interfere with someone else's rights. Afterwards make your little scene and get on them news. Middle of Mass, no way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsideirish71 Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 (edited) On one of the radio broadcasts, they said that a 2 year old dressed in their sunday best got hit with the fake blood and started to bawl. Classy. Edited March 24, 2008 by southsideirish71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMonkey Posted March 24, 2008 Author Share Posted March 24, 2008 I just don't get the "any puiblicity is good publicity' approach alot of people take today. Do they really think that changed anyone's mind in their direction? They are lucky someone didn't beat them. Alot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Mar 23, 2008 -> 10:53 PM) I just don't get the "any puiblicity is good publicity' approach alot of people take today. Do they really think that changed anyone's mind in their direction? They are lucky someone didn't beat them. Alot. No, it didn't chamge anyone's mind. What it did do was get some people to voice their feelings against the war believing that if someone could be so bold to stand up at Holy Name, certainly they can speak out via a letter to the editor, on the phone with a friend, or over coffee with a co-worker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMonkey Posted March 24, 2008 Author Share Posted March 24, 2008 QUOTE(Texsox @ Mar 23, 2008 -> 11:13 PM) No, it didn't chamge anyone's mind. What it did do was get some people to voice their feelings against the war believing that if someone could be so bold to stand up at Holy Name, certainly they can speak out via a letter to the editor, on the phone with a friend, or over coffee with a co-worker. Well, again, I hope they get charged and found guilty of those felonies. As long as all those newly emboldened people realize that their actions have consequences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santo=dorf Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Video Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I'll first say that I agree, this was a stupid and illegal protest, and I hope these people are prosecuted. The middle of Easter mass is beyond inappropriate for protests and the like. Here is my question, though... why did they do this in a Catholic church? I mean, if you did it at a press conference held by a major political supporter of the war, then I'd get the connection. But honestly, as far as I remember, I think the church has been pretty much against the Iraq war from the start. What did they hope to accomplish? Just stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMonkey Posted March 24, 2008 Author Share Posted March 24, 2008 QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 24, 2008 -> 07:44 AM) I'll first say that I agree, this was a stupid and illegal protest, and I hope these people are prosecuted. The middle of Easter mass is beyond inappropriate for protests and the like. Here is my question, though... why did they do this in a Catholic church? I mean, if you did it at a press conference held by a major political supporter of the war, then I'd get the connection. But honestly, as far as I remember, I think the church has been pretty much against the Iraq war from the start. What did they hope to accomplish? Just stupid. They are mad that the Cardinal hasn't been more outspoken about the war, and that he and Daley met with Bush when he was last in town and didn't 'demand' something be done. Plus, if I recall, the services at that church often have TV cameras there, so maybe hoping for a little TV exposure as well. Instead, I hope it is jail time and a record. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Mar 24, 2008 -> 07:59 AM) They are mad that the Cardinal hasn't been more outspoken about the war, and that he and Daley met with Bush when he was last in town and didn't 'demand' something be done. Plus, if I recall, the services at that church often have TV cameras there, so maybe hoping for a little TV exposure as well. Instead, I hope it is jail time and a record. Lame. Put 'em in jail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostfan Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Mar 24, 2008 -> 08:59 AM) They are mad that the Cardinal hasn't been more outspoken about the war, and that he and Daley met with Bush when he was last in town and didn't 'demand' something be done. Plus, if I recall, the services at that church often have TV cameras there, so maybe hoping for a little TV exposure as well. Instead, I hope it is jail time and a record. I guess I am silly for thinking that the church is right to focus on religious issues and not political ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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