Today at 4pm I was arrested in an act of civil disobedience. Since Thursday I have known that I was going to do be arrested for peace and today I knew that I was ready. I knew from speaking with others that had been arrested on Wednesday that I would probably only be held for about 8 hours and released without bail. Their accounts had comforted me. I am here to pass on the message that there is nothing to fear. I want to describe what happened today so that others will know what they can expect if they choose to be arrested in an act of civil disobedience.

The scariest part was making the decision to do it. Once I decided that I was going to make the commitment to the cause by getting arrested my fear left me. I knew I was doing the right thing. I was smiling when the cops came over and cuffed me today with plastic tie hand cuffs. I did NOT resist arrest so there was no need for the police to be forceful with me. While we were sitting awaiting arrest some people from the lawers guild came over and told us not to resist arrest and that as long as we did not resist arrest we would only be charged with a misdomener. Before I got arrested I wrote my friend Debra's phone number on my arm so that I would be able to call someone if I needed to (which I didn't) but I felt safe knowing that my friend would come and get me when I got out.

One by one the police came over as we sat in the middle of the street with a video camera and asked us if we understood that we were being arrested for failure to dispute. When it was my turn I said yes and then they asked me to stand up so that they could cuff me. I was then escorted to the bus where they took my name from my ID (those who were arrested and didn't have IDs it was no problem- one girl supposedly gave a fake name and there weren't any questions asked but they do print you so I don't see what good a fake name would do.) I was then put on the bus where the girls and boys were seperated in different sections. Then there was a lot of waiting for all of the others to get on the bus. During this time we talked and chanted and bonded. Once everyone was on the bus we were taken to the Hollywood Police Station where we sat on the bus some more. One at a time they would call our names and we were escorted off the bus. While we waited some of us got our cuffs off by slipping our hands through, but when the police came back on the bus we would stick our hands back in the cuffs. When my name was called I was escorted to an area where my cuffs were removed and a female officer patted me down (be prepared to be touched all over.) Then she had me take off my shoes and socks and my hair clips (or any other jewlrey I had on but I wasn't wearing any.) Then I had my picture taken and prints taken. Then they took me to another bus to wait again but they didn't put the cuffs back on us so it was much more comfortable this time. Most of the protestors were taken to Van Nuys but a group of 18 women (including myself) remained at the hollywood station. They took us off the bus and had us wait in a classroom for another two hours. Mostly it was a lot of waiting.

I got to know the other 17 women and that was a really amazing experience. We all went around and introduced ourselves and shared why we were here today. Most of us had never been arrested before. Most of us were students but we were all ages (the minors were seperated from the rest of the group because legally they can''t keep us in the same holding areas.) We were a pretty diverse group of race, age and background. At least three of those arrested were school teachers.

Finally in groups of twos they took us out and printed us again (the first time it was for the county, this time it was for the LAPD- it was a joint arrest) and took another picture. I had to sign a ticket and was given my court appearance date. My ticket was for failure to diperse- a misdomener. Then I was given back my belongings and let go without bail- I didn't have to pay a penny. I was the first to be released at around 11pm (So the whole thing took me 7 hours).

I found the experience to be envigorating. I would and will do it again. It strengthened my commitment to peace, my confidence in myself and my hope in a better world. I encourage others to join us next time. What's 8 hours of your day? Its a small price to pay for peace.

And as far as my court appearance... we are going to go to court as a group and plead not guilty. We will get a lawyer to represent us at a group who does pro bono work for civil disobedience and it is most likely that all charges will be dropped. If you are thinking about getting arrested for civil disobedience don't worry about having to pay- we all plan on pleading not guilty and fighting the charges (if you plead guilty you will have to pay a fine).

A few tips:
-Only get arrested if you are a US citizen and will not have any problems with Immigration.
-If you have any warrents out for your arrest (from parking tickets or whatever they will hold you longer and you may need bail.)
-write a friend's number or the number of a local peace coalition on your arm in case you need to call someone for bail or to pick you up.
-expect to be held for about 8-12 hours.
-pee before you get arrested (they will make you wait).
-talk to others who are sitting down in protest- talking about it helps lessen your fears.
-Do NOT resist arrest.
-Be civil and don't give the police trouble or they will hold you longer- don't give them a reason to be harsh.


Peace be with you,
Amanda

PS: Sorry for any spelling/grammatical errors I don't have an editor.

Amanda,

Thanks for sharing that story. Very well-written and compelling. And valuable details for someone such as myself contemplating his first arrest, too.

You've made me feel a bit more secure about it. Thanks.

Is it helping first of all? Are you maybe doing it to feel like you’re making a big difference. As a show of your commitment? Are you doing it because it’s “supposed” to be heroic? Well, remember- slow and steady wins the race, not necessarily those who make the biggest spectacle. It’s good that you’re involved and standing up for peace, but maybe you could work harder and devote yourself to the long term cause.

You have the right to do it, but don't turn this into "Gods and Protesters." Protesting in America is not heroic. It's easy. You just get out on the streets with a sign and walk around all day. Do what you will, but don't marginalize the true, brave protests of the oppressed overseas by purporting to be some kind of hero for protesting in a free country.

She's not marginalizing, she is expressing her new sense of patriotism; one
predicated on upholding freedom of speech and expresssing one's grievances
against our own dictatorial regime that tries to marginalize her as a member of
a so-called "focus group."

Amanda is the real hero, acting in the spirit of peace.

Rachel Corrie is smiling down on you, Amanda, and all who know the path
to peace.

your story was very encouraging, thank you, it is terrible that our country has come to this but I admire you for risking eight or so hours of freedom for what you believe in. I will fight the good fight, even if that means taking the same risks. Good luck, -Keri.

Bush Assmirer states:

"We have a solid government with first rate leadership now that Clinton and his ilk have been dumped. "

Yep, sure....

1. The economy sucks; and
2. We are at war.

OPEN YOUR EYES, JERK!!!!!!

At least Bill Clinton was only screwing Monica and not every other American citizen.

Sheesh!!!!

thanks for sharing your story amanda...you provided lots of practical information that i'm sure is helpful to others. you are excercising your rights as the citizen of a democratic nation. at a time when our freedoms are diminishing, it is necessary to exercise those rights. i was at hollywood and vine shooting video yesterday and i've been thinking that we really need activist training here in LA. ruckus.org is doing weekly trainings in SF. we need something similar here. anybody have ideas or suggestions????

Thank you everyone who has expressed thier support. It's encouraging to know there are others out there who believe in the protests and are willing to do something.

I believe that we can live in a world without war. I believe that we can change the world. I believe that we can know peace on earth.

Not In Our Name is having an open house today (Sunday) in thier new office from noon-2. NION is located at Selma and Gower in Hollywood. I am going over there at noon and I definitly think that activist training is necessary so I will mention that while I am there.

Peace be with you,
Amanda

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed its the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead

Thank you amanda, for participating in that spontaneous civil disobedience. I was arrested on friday morning at an interfaith rally, so I chose to get up and not be arrested again on saturday. I want to thank you, and all of the other people who sat down and would not get up. The media has told us that the youth support the war, that there is complacency among teens and young adults who are opposed. We are told that we are the apathetic generation. I think these acts of civil disobedience, mirroring those against the vietnam war

Thank you amanda, for participating in that spontaneous civil disobedience. I was arrested on friday morning at an interfaith rally, so I chose to get up and not be arrested again on saturday. I want to thank you, and all of the other people who sat down and would not get up. The media has told us that the youth support the war, that there is complacency among teens and young adults who are opposed. We are told that we are the apathetic generation. I think these acts of civil disobedience, mirroring those against the vietnam war, have proved them wrong. The majority of the crowd who sat down and refused to get up, as well as the majority of the protesters that marched through and took over the streets on friday night, are all young people. We have proved them wrong. I know some right-winger with nothing better to do than mock true patriotism will post some glib comment about our supposed treason, but anyone who choses to read the truth (on indymedia and dozens of other sites), hear the truth (on kpfk and the pacifica network), or watch the truth (see the pbs frontline story) will know that this attack on iraq is a war crime, specifically banned under international law. Our government is the lawbreaker, and we must do everything we can, in the interest of patriotism and our place in history, to make it known that millions opposed the war and were willing to go on record as being arrested for this cause. Thank you.

Hey, Amanda Egge - I want you to know that I wish you dead. Hopefully you will get cancer or something, or die in a horrible car crash.

Hey combat veteran, she's getting in trouble to help make sure real veterans don't get hurt. You pain means nothing if all you can do is tear down good people. It takes a brave person to face jail for a principle and a very cowardly person to make fun of her for it on the web.

Amanda, you have my respect.

While pro-war folks tend to express themselves in the crudest possible manner, their howls of complaint are always music to my ears. I spent three hours or so among the pro-war demonstrators in Hollywood tonight.

Being advocates of exactly nothing, the pro-war folks are reduced to bullying the peace demonstrators. They have nothing to say themselves, so all they can try to do is keep us from spreading the message they fear so much.

Tonight I saw the pro-war crowd, which claims to be compassionate toward the Iraqis, call peace advocates "fucking faggots" and "dirty Mexicans." One woman taunted over and over, "Where's your green card?" The pro-war crowd chuckled over and over at that brilliant bit of wit. They would point and yell, "You're just making a fool of yourself! It's not working!!!"

Which, of course, means that it is working. Peace advocates have the facts, reason, law and morality on our side. And the pro-war people know it.

All they have is their own hatred and impotence, and that's why all they can do is show up and act like schoolyard bullies.

And what Amanda did confronted these dark souls with their own nature. They're not in Iraq dying for this "compassionate" cause. They'd never lift a finger to help anyone, especially a dark-skinned person from the Middle East. And the fact that Amanda would risk a confrontation with police and get arrested in the name of peace just makes their blood boil--with the rage of a person who knows he doesn't have right on his side, or the courage to act on it if he did.

As long as we keep it civil, we win. Bush Admirer, please keep up your admirable behavior. Your compatriots did a great job of showing their true colors tonight.

Hey amanda
Nice to know we still have some brave americans out there.
Thank you for supporting liberty and freedom
from a real combat veteran.

gulf war..2nd armored cavalry
panama...5th infantry division

to "combat veteran" above
FUCK YOU SLIME BALL

This girl is a true patriot
SHe has show outstanding leadership ability , perseverance and courage.

NO BLOOD FOR OIL
NO WAR BUT THE CLASS WAR

AMERICA LAND OF THE FREE
(and in amandas case)
HOME OF THE BRAVE

Along with demonstrating civil disobedience when we feel we are not being heard, we should ALWAYS participate in elections and get as involved as possible in our local and state governments too. Remember: This is still a democracy, although half of us neglect our civil right to participate in elections. We get the government we deserve. If you don't vote, you don't have the right to bitch. Wartime really reveals the morons -- it's when anal-retentive dittoheads wrap themselves in the flag and justify their actions, not on their intrinsic merits, but on the perceived lack of merit of the other side's arguments. In other words, nothing. While I disagree with your actions and support the careful, humane actions of the police, I will always defend your right to be heard. I think there are a few hundred thousand Kurds and tortured and maimed political prisoners who would disagree with you too. While we are NOT going to Iraq for the right reasons, many right outcomes will result and that is why I can support this war as a lesser of two horrible evils.

Amanda,
Just out of curiosity, do you have any idea why you were at that rally in the first place? I’ve gotten a real kick out of the people I see interviewed at these protests…none of them have any idea what the hell this war is about. “This has nothing to do with us!” or my personal favorite “No war for oil!” These are obviously comments coming from uneducated people out to get some TV time or their face in a magazine. Wake up and smell the Trade Towers burning. The current Iraq regime has killed countless of its own people by using some of the most cruel and unusual methods known to man. When told to disarm they gave the UN the bird. Yep, good people over there! And you idiots want to protect Saddam…the same man who would, in an instant, sell a nuclear weapon to a terrorist just for the opportunity to kill thousands of Americans. I suppose Hitler wasn’t doing anything wrong either. Do you even know who Hitler was Amanda? If not, let me know and I'll fill you in.

Jason,

There's really no point in arguing with these people(peace protesters). They have their minds set that this war is all about oil. I know you're tired of all their bullshit beliefs and politcal propaganda, but its just something we have to live with. During the Vietnam War, they had a reason, but today they are just looking for rediculous reasons. Most of them, are Liberal Democrats who aren't really protesting the war, but protesting our current republican President who is the best President we've had since Kennedy if you ask me. You have to admit that its really disgusting, unpatriotic, unamerican, inhuman of them to paint a hitler mustache on pictures of our President. They are doing the same as all of the others do in Arab countries to show how much they hate America. Some of them have gone as far as becoming Human Shields for Saddam. They are a disgrace to our great country and we must feel sorry for them from being so influenced by foreign propaganda. In other words, they will believe Saddam before they believe President Bush. As our troops fight for their freedom, sometime making the ultimate sacrifice, they march around the streets chanting their anti Bush Slogans that are no more than paranoid conspiracy theories. When Clinton was in office, you didn't hear any of them bitching, now the're mad because Al Bore never made it to the Whitehouse and have been looking for revenge. I know that some of these characters will reply to this message chanting more bullshit, but before you do, I want you all to know that I hope you all leave the country to join your friend Saddam when the shit hits the fan. You are all a disgrace to our country and most likely are too uneducated to see the whole picture. Everytime I watch the news, I see our brave troops defending freedom and defeating Evil and I have to say to the troops- "I'm proud of the job you are all doing and I hope to join you soon as I plan to join the Army this Summer. Even though these asshole aren't supporting your efforts, there is still a very large 90% silent majority who support you. So be careful and when you reach Baghdad and catch this asshole Saddam, string him up, take him to Northern Iraq, and feed him to the Kurds."

God Bless America

God Bless America and God Bless our troops!!!!

So you think getting arrested was pretty cool and no big deal? The police don't have the time to waste on idiots, but the courts do, the real story will come out when you apply for a job. It may not be right now, but done the road when you have grown up and want to get a real job and buy a home. You will find out how good the advice was that you got from the other protesters, I don't think they realy care about your future.

Try getting arrested a second time and see how badly you can screw up your future!

We are trying to compile a list of group info for all of those arrested for civil disobedience in relation to the war protests and all those injured by the police.

If you or someone you know has been arrested for civil disobedience over the last week or has been injured by the police at a protest in the last week please email me. We "The Arrested" (mostly a group of us from Saturday's arrests) had a meeting tonight at the Peace Center to discuss our next step. We plan on consolidating our cases and pleading not guilty as a group and are seeking legal representation and will be interviewing lawyers. We are also investigating pressing charges against the police for brutality.

Our next meeting is scheduled for THURSDAY MARCH 27th at 7:30 PM at the Solidarity Hall- 2170 W. Washington Blvd. (which is off the 10 at Washington and Western). All Arrestees and Victims of police brutality are urged to attend.

It is very important that we get in contact with all arrestees and injured ASAP.

Amanda,
You still have not answered me. Do you have any idea whatsoever as to why you were at that rally? Do you have anything intellegent to say about your cause? Are you educated enough to speak against this war you seem to think is so unjust? I haven't heard a single thing come out of your mouth that makes me think you have any clue at all. Bottom line is that you are a spoiled little brat who wants some attention so you act out. I don't buy your little act and most of the educated people in this country don't either. No one pities you, infact you have simply made yourself look like a complete idiot.

Sounds more like about Amanda's 15 minutes of fame. I see a lot of screaming, shouting and one liners from protesters, but nothing about Saddam.

I am 25 years old. I grew up in Seattle Washington where I attended Seattle Preparatory School (a Jesuit catholic high school- my props to the pope!) I have a BA in philosophy from Reed College. My primary interest was in the philosophy of language and the philosophy of mind. After graduating from college I started NYU's Ph D. program in philosophy but after my first year I decided for entirely personal reasons to put the pursuit of my Ph. D off until later. You are calling the wrong person uneducated. You presuppose a lot. Some advice: do not jump to conclusions about who we are when you do not know us. Many of the protesters are students (high school, college and graduate). Are there any other presuppositions I can dispel for you Jason?


There are many kinds of logical fallacies and your arguments commit a few of them:

An argument is an ABUSIVE AD HOMINEM argument if and only if it purports to discredit a position by insulting those who hold it. (For example, calling someone a spoiled little brat)

An argument is a CIRCUMSTANCIAL AD HOMINEM argument if and only if it purports to discredit a position by appealing to the circumstances or characteristics of those who hold it. (For example, bringing up a person's education or background).

An argument is a RED HERRING if and only if it tries to justify a conclusion irrelevant to the issue at hand. (For example trying to argue that protesters are liberal democrats or bringing up whether or not a protester voted in the last presidential election.)

Some other kinds of logical fallacies to look out for:

An argument is Tu Quoque if and only if it purports to discredit a position by charging those who hold it with inconsistency or hypocrisy.

An argument appeals to force if and only if it tries to justify a kind of action by threatening the audience.

I will publish my reasons for protest just give me a minite- I am super busy right now.
Amanda

Does anyone here actually believe that this country going to war with Iraq is actually a wrong thing to do? What about Afghanistan and the Taliban? Was that wrong too? They both are related. They are both terrorist breeding grounds. When there is an enemy out there that you can not easily find and they pursuade people through such thorough indoctrination that those same people will become human bombs, blowing up for the enemy's cause. Don't you know what ignoring that kind of thing causes? Can't you still remember exactly where you were and what you were doing and how you felt when you first heard about what happens when you ignore it? Didn't you watch the news and and have tears coming down your face as you watched the plane hit and the building burn and the stories from the people who had husbands in that building or sons or daughters and felt the helpless that they must have felt as they watched the twin towers burn? If you want to protest against the war on terrorism because you feel that war is wrong no matter the reason its for, well, I feel that is so incredibly naive as to be a joke. And when you bring that kind of Idealism in contrast with the realities of terrorism, it becomes a very sick joke. The only reason a person such as I needs to support the war on terrorism is this. "America was attacked by zealots. We need to talk to these fanatics in the only language that they understand, war. There is almost as much sense in talking peace to these people as there is try talking war with you war protesters. But I say almost because atleast you people can imagine how great peace is and how horrible war can be. For the people in the middle east who have lived in a war-torn-for-decades kind of country, it is all they have known. For very many, fighting is all they know how to do. You can try to take the fighting away from them but then they will lose what they have become and will in most cases, just go out and pick up the gun again.