Four anti-war protesters were found guilty yesterday in municipal court of illegally blocking the intersection of Court and Union streets last month.
Art Gish, Kathy Galt, Stephen Rounthwaite and Robin Riley-Casey were among the 39 people arrested March 19 during a sit-down in the street protesting the war in Iraq.
The four defendants were the only protesters who entered not guilty pleas to the charge of performing acts that served no lawful or reasonable purpose by recklessly preventing movement in a public road.
Judge Doug Bennett ordered each defendant to pay a $25 fine and $62 in court costs, with the option of paying off the fine through community service.
The defendants all acted as their own counsel. City Prosecutor Mike Miller represented the state.
Gish, the first to present his defense, said the charge was unfounded because he had a good reason for his actions during the protest. Gish said he and others taking part in the sit-down occupied the street to protest war crimes committed by the U.S. government.
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Mae Kowalke
