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2
of 3 Catholic War Resisters Found Guilty For Failing to Leave Qwest Center
Omaha Catholic Worker
Community and
Nebraskans for Peace
December 14, 2007
CONTACTS: Jerry Ebner, Omaha Catholic Worker
1104 North 24th St, Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 502-5887 Cell: (402) 670-3745
www.no-nukes.org/cwomaha cwomaha@gmail.com
Peg Gallagher, 4821 Chicago Street. Apt. 14, Omaha 68132,
402-553-0111 and
Father Jack McCaslin, 7323 Shirley Street, Apt. 305,
Omaha 68124, 402-926-2599
Omaha, Nebraska, USA – Today, Friday, December 14, 2007, two of
three Catholic War Resisters went to trial at Douglas County Court this
morning as a result of their Peaceful Protest at the Qwest Center during
the Space Weapons Conference sponsored by StratCom and Offutt Air Force
Base. Judge Thomas McQuade listened to both sides about what happened.
Jerry Ebner informed the judge that the defendants had pictures and a
twenty-minute video for him to see. The judge looked at the pictures,
but not the video. The video is at www.archive.org/details/CatholicWorkerDieCDinfrontofQwestCre101007
. Evidence was shown in pictures by the defendants that no door was obstructed.
On October 10, at 6:26 minutes into the video above, Rebecca Kleeman,
Public Relations Manager for Qwest Center Omaha, told the defendants,
". . . Our problem here is that you're impeding the entrance to the
door, so I need to ask you to leave." In fact, at 6:00 minutes into
the video it shows people, including Ms. Kleeman, leaving the Qwest Center
through doors right next to the protestors.
The judge said, 'The charge was for failing to leave, not for blocking
a doorway." The defendants do not believe that what they have done
in a Prayerful and Prophetic spirit of Christian nonviolence was a crime.
Father Jack McCaslin and Jerry Ebner were both found guilty. Judge Thomas
McQuade gave each of them a $75 fine plus court costs for a total of $119,
to be paid within 30-days.
Jerry Ebner requested of the judge an alternative to the fine. He mentioned
his financial situation to the judge - that he helps maintain the Omaha
Catholic Worker (OCW) Hospitality House for homeless men, where they care
for five homeless men. It is a matter of conscience that he refuses to
pay the fine, and seek an alternative, because all contributions to support
the OCW House are used exclusively to support the poor, not the criminal
justice system. Jerry Ebner was then given three options by Judge McQuade
- pay the fine, (2) two days in jail or (3) Community Service. Jerry Ebner
thanked the judge for the options and chose option #2 as an "acceptable
and honorable choice" and thanked him for it. This will be served
by January 14, 2008.
There is one more Catholic War Resistor to be tried for the same violation.
She was given a later court date at her attorney's request. Peg Gallagher,
age 89, is going to court on Friday, December 28, 2007 in Douglas County
Courtroom #27 at 9 a.m. at 17th and Farnam Street, Omaha, NE. December
28 is also the Catholic Feast Day of the Holy Innocents Massacre.
Thanks so much for your support,
The Omaha Catholic Worker Community
Jerry Ebner, Alexi Motta, Charles Bergman
1104 N. 24th Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68102
402-502-5887
Email: cwomaha@gmail.com
www.no-nukes.org/cwomaha
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