CAPITAL'S DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT HARASSES ANTIWAR GROUP FOR SIGNS

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[We can't recall anything like this in previous demonstrations]

WASHINGTON POST - The D.C. government has fined an antiwar coalition
more than $10,000 for posting signs promoting the March to Stop the War
on Sept. 15. . .
But members of ANSWER, which stands for Act Now to Stop War and End
Racism, say the fines are a politically motivated way to silence their
grassroots efforts. The signs advertise a march that coincides with the
anticipated report from Gen. David Petraeus about conditions in Iraq.

The coalition began receiving the citations on Monday and were told to
remove all of the signs within 72 hours, said Brian Becker, national
coordinator for ANSWER. That time has since passed, and the coalition
has been fined $150 for each illegally posted sign, which amounts to
more than $10,000 thus far.

Becker said the coalition has posted similar signs for more than six
years and follows city regulations such as using water soluble paste as
an adhesive. "We consider this to be a political act targeting the
anti-war movement," Becker said. "We're not doing anything illegal."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/15/
AR2007081501245.html


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