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Demonstrators Briefly Block Federal Doors in Chicago

You go girl! And boys. Sister Dorothy Pagosa and other antiwar demonstrators briefly block doors to Chicago's federal building. One likened Bush to Hussein, saying one's as bad as the other. Do I hear Bush is the worst?
Anti-War Demonstrators Arrested in Ill.

By MIKE ROBINSON
.c The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - About 20 anti-war demonstrators were arrested Tuesday when they sat down in the lobby of a federal office building to protest U.S. policy toward Iraq, federal officials said.

Demonstrators also briefly blocked the entrances to the John C. Kluczynski Federal Office Building in downtown Chicago, U.S. Marshal Kim Widup said. He said they would be charged with criminal trespass.

Outside, about 40 demonstrators picketed with signs expressing opposition to any military action against Iraq.

Dorothy Pagosa, a staff member of the 8th Day Center for Justice which organized the demonstration, said those arrested had formed a ``circle of life'' to show their opposition to any war with Iraq.

She said the nationwide group has been formed by Catholic priests and others to protest against ``systems that oppress people.''

Protesters said they feared the United States was about to go to war with Iraq and said this would inflict needless suffering on that nation.

``I cannot tell you how painful it is in my heart to think about the suffering that is going to occur if we attack or invade Iraq,'' said Sarah Reschly, a 30-year-old Chicagoan who works for a group called Christian Peacemaker.

Another demonstrator, Ray Kaepplinger, 84, said he was a World War II veteran who had ``been through the plume of hell in New Guinea'' and didn't want to see another war erupt.

``As far as I'm concerned, President George II is as bad as Saddam Hussein,'' he said.

Demonstrators were unanimous in brushing aside President Bush's concerns that Iraq may have weapons of mass destruction.

``I don't think his claim alone justifies anything,'' said Janine Hoft, 43, of Chicago, an attorney.



12/10/02 12:09 EST


Copyright 2002 The Associated Press.
 
 

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