Six members of Maine’s Civil Disobedience and Occupation Project will go on trial at 8:30 AM, Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at Penobscot Superior Court on Hammond Avenue in Bangor, Maine. The six people are charged with “criminal trespass” for refusing to leave the office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) on March 19, 2007, the fourth anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq.

The group hoped that their presence in Senator Collins’ office would focus Senator Collins’ attention on the grievances that the group had/has about the war in Iraq.

Senator Collins’ attitude regarding the arrests of her constituents differs sharply from that of Congressman Mike Michaud (D-ME) who has said that “no one who comes to my office will be arrested.”

Doug Rawlings, Jonathan Kreps, and Henry Braun will be defended in court by Phil Worden, a member of the National Lawyers Guild.

Defendants Robert Shetterly, Dud Henrick, and Jim Freeman will defend themselves.

Justice Michaela Murphy will be the presiding judge. Jury selection starts on Monday, April 28, 2008.

We hope that members of the community will keep our friends in their thoughts and prayers during this stressful time, and we hope to make their visit to Bangor as comfortable as possible.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” St. Matthew 5:9

Robert Shetterly honors the fallen

Robert Shetterly draws Beau Beaulieu, fallen soldier in Iraq In Collins’s office