CODEPINK

Protest and Citizens' Arrest of Ehud Olmert October 22, 2009 Bay Area CODEPINK San Francisco, CA

	Report back by Rae Abileah, on the "inside" team: In the Westin St. Francis Hotel Ballroom, twenty-two people were arrested while protesting former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, including a CODEPINK-style citizens' arrest that kicked off a stream of disruptions led by Nancy, and a bloody hands action by Ali, who said she was unsure how loud she could be but on the video she is way loud and clear! CODEPINKers were gathered on the outside as part of the coalition demo as well. Janet handed out Gaza Freedom March flyers and held a banner that said, "Lift the Siege of Gaza." Marina rocked the press and video uploading on the outside support team. under a palm tree at Union Square across from the hotel, Renay, Susan W, Joyce and Martha stood solemnly, dressed in black, with white mourning masks covering their faces and letters spelling out G-A-Z-A. Inside the ballroom, I stood up after Olmert said that we should respect free speech, with a banner that said "War Crimes are not Free Expression" and said we'd be willing to listen if Olmert was in the courtroom in The Hague but not in a ballroom in SF. It was amazing to be doing an inside action with so many passionate and articulate people. From citizens' arrest attempts, to banner unfurling, to shouting, to questioning, to waving the Goldman Report, to bloody hands, to reading of names... what a dynamic disruption. Shut down Olmert!