On January 25, 2010, Judge Lynn Liebovitz sentenced noted anti-war activist Eve Tetaz to 25 days in D.C. Jail (beginning today), another 50 days suspended, one year probation with a stay away order from all of Capitol Hill. More details and Eve's contact information will be forthcoming. Below is the sentencing statement Eve made today in court. An article about Eve by WASHINGTON POST reporter Keith Alexander will appear as a feature story within a few days.
Sentencing Statement, January 25, 2010:
Your honor, I do not question the process by which a jury of my peers found me guilty of unlawful conduct. I assume responsibility for the personal costs of my actions, which I firmly believe promote justice ad peace in the world in which we all live.
My efforts to give voice to the values which I believe are at the core of our country's leadership in world are nonviolent. I believe that nonviolent protest against government policies is, has been and will continue, to be the only authentic form of individual political action. Such action on the part of individuals does change the course of human history.
History speaks of the power of nonviolent protest that has changed the face of our social landscape in ways we now take for granted -- the civil rights movement being only the most recent example in the history of our country. Martin Luther King was right when he paraphrased the words of Theodore Parker spoken more than 150 years ago -- the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.
This truth is not readily apparent -- indeed does not exist -- without the actions of individuals who are responsive to the needs of the oppressed, and recognize the trends of history.
I will continue to participate in the movement of our civilization that is committed to building structures of social justice that are rooted in peace among the nations and the citizens of the world. The 19th Century poet, Emma Wilcox said that to sin by silence is to make cowards of us all. This is the cause that is my life. This is why I am present in court today representing the victims of America's wrong doings, people such as Adel Fattough Ali Al Gazzari, an Egyptian, wounded in Afghanistan while serving with the Red Crescent Society, sold for bounty to the Americans, and detained at Guantanamo Bay since December 2002. This is why I cannot remain silent.
Thank you.
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