|
Comment on this article |
Email this Article
|
|
News :: Everyday Life |
|
24 arrested in response to capitol building attack |
Current rating: 0 |
by @
(No verified email address) |
08 Jun 2005
|
'disorderly conduct' was being committed against the capitol building in indiana in response to the devolopment of I-69
(and hopefully 'disorderly conduct' will only increase against the development of the highway) |
Protesters against I-69 highway extension spray-painted slogans inside and out, police say
Capitol vandalized; 24 held
Protesters against I-69 highway extension spray-painted slogans inside and out, police say
By John Tuohy
john.tuohy (at) indystar.com
Police arrested 24 demonstrators Saturday as suspects in the spray-painting of slogans on the Statehouse critical of the planned I-69 extension.
One woman was subdued with a taser after she jumped on the back of a Capitol Police officer, police said.
Nine of those arrested do not live in Indiana. Indiana State Police First 1st Sgt. Dave Bursten described some of the demonstrators as "protesters for hire."
"These are 20-something kids with nothing better to do," Bursten said. "I'd say some of them never even heard of I-69 before today."
The protesters spray-painted on the limestone surrounding the outside doorway on the north side of the Statehouse and on marble colonnades just inside the doorway.
One outside message read, "I-69 is the enemy" in red paint. Another read, "No I-69" in green paint.
Maintenance workers tried to scrub the messages off, but eventually covered them with brown paper. They will have to sandblast the wall to remove the paint entirely.
The disturbance occurred about 12:50 p.m. when a group of 40 protesters arrived unannounced at the north entrance to the Statehouse.
The demonstrators pounded makeshift drums and chanted their disapproval of the proposed highway project. When some of them began spray-painting, the five Capitol Police officers on duty tried to corral them.
The protesters began walking away and the Capitol Police called for assistance from the Indiana State Police, Park Rangers, Indianapolis Police and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Police.
The protesters were rounded up near Military Park, about a block away, handcuffed and placed on their knees in a circle. The all were charged with disorderly conduct.
One of those arrested, Colin Schroder-Ehri, 25, Bloomington, said I-69 would cost jobs.
"We believe I-69 is part of NAFTA (The North American Free Trade Agreement) and will extend NAFTA," he said, while handcuffed. "It increases economic deprivation."
Gov. Mitch Daniels supports the I-69 project, which would link Indianapolis and Evansville via a multi-lane highway.
The extension is part of the planned "NAFTA Superhighway" crossing eight states to link Canada and Mexico.
An assortment of groups including some farmers, environmentalists and tax watchdogs oppose the highway.
Marie Mason, Detroit, said Roadblock Earth First organized the protest, which was the first of several planned this summer.
"This is a national issue and all taxpayers are paying for this," said Mason, a Roadblock member, in a phone call from her home. She recently lived in Bloomington.
"The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has ongoing questions about it and farmers don't want it."
One of those handcuffed said police were abusive.
A woman identifying herself as Maggie Renfro said "a young woman was tased and people were pepper-sprayed, it was pretty irresponsible."
"There was no violence going on and people were just trying to get out of the way," Renfro said.
The list of names of those arrested did not include Renfro's.
A wine-tasting fair was being held at Military Park at the time the protesters were arrested and the area was crowded.
Bursten said some passers-by took pictures of the spray-painting, and the protesters themselves videotaped it.
He said the pictures would be reviewed to determine who scribbled the messages. Those responsible could face vandalism and other charges.
Bursten said "it is a shame when a group of misguided young people" damage "property that that all of us, as taxpayers, have paid for and will pay today to repair the damage done."
The woman who allegedly jumped on the Capitol Police officer refused to give her name and was arrested for battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
Bursten said the Statehouse is open around the clock and is always guarded by Capitol Police. He said authorities might review the visiting policy.
"It's the people's house," he said. "Unfortunately, events like this always cause security to be re-evaluated." |
This work is in the public domain |
