RMPJC News

Before Heading to Jail, Carolyn Bninski Again Calls for End to Iraq War

Pictured here, right, Carolyn Bninski with Dan Winter, left, and Imam Ibrahim Kazerooni describe worsening situation in Iraq; urge war's end at August 10th news conference. Photos: Laura Kriho

BOULDER. August 10, 2007. Carolyn Bninski, ordered to serve a jail sentence for overstaying her welcome at Congressman Mark Udall's office on March 8th, 2007, began her jail sentence at 4pm on Friday, August 10th n the Adams County jail.

Earlier in the day, Bninski held a news conference at RMPJC's offices with RMPJC Spokescouncil member Dan Winter and Imam Ibrahim Kazerooni, for going to Representative Udall's Office to express her concerns that Representative Udall was intending to vote for the Iraq supplemental budget. Bninski along with co-defendant Rob Ketterhagen, Imam Ibrahim Kazerooni and RMPJC Spokescouncil member Dan Winters spoke to the news media about the continually deteriorating situation in Iraq, at the hands of the U.S. military - over 700,000 Iraqi's killed, over 3,600 US soldiers killed, and many more thousands injured and suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome.

They stressed that the situation in Iraq cannot begin to improve until the US totally leaves there, as the U.S. military's presence there is exacerbating the situation on a daily basis.

Ms. Bninski was sentenced for the crime of trespassing in Congressman Mark Udall's office, for declining to leave her own elected representative's office while unfinished in reading names of Iraqi citizens and U.S. soldiers killed in the war, to date. She was ordered to serve 365 days in jail, 335 of which were suspended if she does not get arrested for a similar offense within the year. In accepting the sentence after a day-long trial on July 27th, Bninski told the judge, "It's insignificant compared to what's happening to the Iraqis."

In order to end the Occupation and bring the US troops home, the funding must be cut and a troop withdrawal plan must be implemented, they urged.

- BB and AA for RMPJC