Rove, Citizen's Arrest, and Federal Judges

Four peace activists Mona Shaw 57, Kirk Brown 25, Chet Guinn 80, and Frank Cordaro 61 were arrested and charged with trespassing when they attempted to place Karl Rove under citizen’s arrest yesterday as Rove spoke at a Wakonda Country Club in Des Moines where he was scheduled to speak at a Republican Fundraiser. Iowa law contains reference to the obligation of citizens to place persons who have committed felonies under arrest until law enforcement can transport the person to a hearing before a Federal Judge.

The only problem is that these sort of people, people within the Bush administration who are guilty of treason or sedition, never step foot outside walled enclaves when coming out “in public” and walk very quickly between limos and heavily policed buildings. There is something wrong with this picture.

Shouldn’t the police have assisted these patriotic folks, average age 62, who were only doing their civic duty (remember that phrase from your high school government class?) Instead they arrest citizen’s doing what the law and a good conscience requires of them.

Cordara and Shaw had previously attempted a citizen’s arrest of Rove in 2007. Last year these two were released without charge when detained by the police, this year they were charged with trespassing.

I hope this sort of thing happens more and more frequently. These criminals believe they are above the law. They are not. Condi had to dodge New Zealand Students as the Auckland University’s Student Association is offering $5,000 reward for the citizen’s arrest of Condoleeza Rice.

I like the way this is progressing. ” If not us, who? If not now, when? ”

“Yee Ha! Let’s arrest us some war criminals!”

Read the press release from the Reverend and the Catholic Workers DesmoinesCatholicWorker.org has video, news coverage, and additional information for those interested.