Senior Woman Protesting War Faces Jail Time (Part 2 of 3)

Washington, D.C. June 25, 2007—Dressed in the ancient mourning symbols of sackcloth and ashes, a senior citizen protesting war was arrested twice Friday, and violated a stay away order.

For the sixth and seventh times this year, Eve Tetaz, 75, a retired D.C. public schoolteacher was arrested for nonviolently protesting the illegal and immoral war and occupation of Iraq.

Tetaz, of 17th Street, N.W., was first arrested in front of the White House in a protest organizers described as a mourning for children killed in war. The arrest happened at 12:45 p.m. and was conducted by the U.S. Park Police.

"All life is sacred," Tetaz said. "No one is collateral damage."

Wearing a hand-made burlap dress and shawl and faced smudged with ashes, Tetaz held one sign inscribed with a passage from the Gospel of Matthew, "Rachel wept for her children and refused to be comforted
because they were no more."

She was released later that afternoon, and then her and a few friends continued the anti-war protest on Capitol Hill, violating her stay away order. After some hesitation and a peaceful discussion, Capitol Hill Police stationed at the Hart Senate Office Building placed her under arrest at 5:15 p.m.

"I am unable to comply with these orders, and after careful and prayerful consideration, have decided to take the initiative by deciding the circumstances under which I will begin serving my sentence," Tetaz said. "I am following in the tradition of others. There are many who have chosen to speak truth to power in this fashion."

In May, Tetaz violated a stay away order from the Hart Senate Office Building, and was arrested as soon as she entered the building with a group of peace activists. She faces a contempt of court trial on that matter, and could now face at least a month in jail.

On July 9, Tetaz will again appear in court for a jury trial, stemming from an earlier protest inside the Hart Senate Office Building in March. She was arrested along with six others while the Senate approved $95 billion more in funding for war and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.

A retired teacher for 30 years, Tetaz is the founder of Life Pathways, a non-profit organization helping single parents become financially independent and trained in the field of health care. A member of the Church of the Savior, she has been an advocate for the poor on issues of economics and social justice.

For more information, contact: Pete Perry, 571-271-1313

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• peace
• movement
• anti
• war
• protest
• Afghanistan
• Impeachment

[merigviliadonna]

sorry is the way of the police...politicians..who's corruption and lies rally the foolish into a war that is bankrupting us while countries continue to hope for our downfall as they stand there with thier hands open for money.

when will America wake up and see we have right to assemble why....arrest an elderly woman who is sorry for her loss. may the strong watch over her!!

may she be a torch through the darkness of stupidity....

[smellyfooty]

Teach her a lesson! TASER HER!... wait a minute... Why don't we let her protest peacefully(after all, she has no weopons) and wait her out? If she becomes tired or even hungry, she'll just go home and come back another day! Oh, wait... right! We need to make an example of her! and possibly others as well! Move in officers! Let's not taser this one... for now..........

[hk531971]

Wow these people really need to get a life, just some crazy old bag.