Singing the civil disobedience blues 
A memoir by Jeanne Olson 
Green Party of Alaska 
(The following excerpt is taken from Jeanne Olsen's personal account of her civil disobedience and arrest. )

Members of Code Pink, Veterans for Peace, the Green Party of the  United States, religious organizations, and many other groups stand  before the White House September 26, 2005, in a mutual act of civil  disobedience. Photo: Loret Steinberg

Each of us had our reasons for being there. I looked at the black iron fence I remember climbing on as a young child, but now am forbidden to touch. I looked at the police officers and thought about the Bill of Rights. Thought about this being a peaceful demonstration. Wondered what made this an illegal assembly. Thought of the support of the veterans and people representing dozens of other affinity groups. Thought about the recent re-approval of the PATRIOT Act. Thought about the current war on terrorism and how most Americans really don't feel any more secure now than they did four years ago. 

	Sarah "echo" Steiner, Green Party member from Florida, stood vigil with her sign outside the White House protesting the Iraq War. She  and 377 others, including many Greens, were arrested during their civil disobedience actions in Washington D.C. Echo was one of the few  who were arrested both at the Pentagon and the White House.  Photo: Daniel Starling / Green Pages

The police arrested Cindy [Sheehan] first. …We all got arrested-somewhere between 370 and 374 of us, but no one is sure, not even the police. It took over four hours to arrest us all. The police were cordial and almost apologetic. 

The police bus, filled with more than 30 women, was also our holding cell. We sang songs, told stories, and became friends due to at least the feeling of jail solidarity. But someone said they needed to pee. Then the entire busload of women needed to pee. They led us out to the three Port-A-Potties, one at a time. Soon the other six busloads of protesters were being led out in the same manner. 

Some people still had their cell phones and seized the opportunity to order pizza. A men's bus was visible through the open door. While we danced and sang on the line, they provided the percussion sounds by tapping on the metal bus posts and stomping their feet. As one person later said, "It wasn't like we were having fun, but we were happy." 

The Park Service police later admitted they weren't expecting or prepared for so many detainees. Our arresting officers weren't certain of the exact charges we were being held on. Our "processing" was glaringly inefficient and ridiculously slow. We politely suggested more efficient methods. 

Finally, we lined up for mug shots and the most extensive fingerprinting I've ever received. We were sent out the door into the high-crime section of D.C. where even taxis don't go after midnight. We huddled by the front door of the police station, unsure of what to do. 

It worked out. After all, it's America. Our affinity support crew was waiting at the end of the long driveway, and a volunteer shuttle to Union Station brought us to trains, hotels, showers and the end of an adventure in civil disobedience. 

The first court appearances were scheduled for Nov. 16. Most arrestees chose not to pay the $75 fine for a federal misdemeanor and requested a court appearance. Court dates are scheduled through at least Jan. 18.

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