Tompkins County Against War & Occupation

When I turned myself in, with all my fears and doubts, I did it not only for myself. I did it for the people of Iraq, even for those who fired upon me-they were just on the other side of a battleground where war itself was the only enemy. I did it for the Iraqi children, who are victims of mines and depleted uranium. I did it for the thousands of unknown civilians killed in war. My time in prison is a small price compared to the price Iraqis and Americans have paid with their lives. Mine is a small price compared to the price Humanity has paid for war.

—Camilo Mejia, conscientious objector

Judge Chauncey Watches today sentenced five activists who occupied the Bath, NY office of Congressman Randy Kuhl on August 6, 2007 and were later found guilty of criminal trespass. Four of the group, Ellen Grady, Todd Saddler, Danny Burns and Chris Tate, have been obligated to perform fifty hours of community service and to pay three hundred dollars each in fines. Mark Scibilia-Carver, a co–defendant, told Judge Watches that he could not in good conscience either pay any fine nor perform community service. On hearing this, Judge Watches sentenced Mark to thirty days in the Steuben County Jail.

Although the four other defendants informed Judge Watches that neither would they pay fines, he said that he would revisit the matter after the four month period in which the fines should be paid and the community service performed had elapsed.

Each of the defendants pleaded for an end to the war and the death and suffering which accompany it. Appealing to the US Constitution and its provisions for “redress of grievances” and its elevation of all “treaties, pacts and protocols” to the status of “the supreme law of the land”, legal arguments were made as to the moral necessity and imperative of citizens to speak out against the wrongdoing of one’s own government. Citing statements from the Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI as well as Martin Luther King, Jr, and Camilo Mejia, the five passionately denounced the illegal, unjust war of aggression which has been raging for nearly five years. Judge Watches told the quintet that although they had acted in good faith to stop the war, their good faith ended with their refusal to accede to police officers’ requests for them to leave Congressman Kuhl’s office. Todd Saddler responded by saying “our consciences remain clear and we continue to extend good will toward all”.

To those who are still quiet, to those who continue to betray their conscience, to those who are not calling evil more clearly by its name, to those of us who are still not doing enough to refuse and resist, I say “come forward.” I say “free your minds.” Let us, collectively, free our minds, soften our hearts, comfort the wounded, put down our weapons, and reassert ourselves as human beings by putting an end to war.

—Camilo Mejia

Mark has begun to serve his sentence in the Steuben County Jail.

A mailing address for Mark: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Steuben County Jail, 7007 Rumsey Street Extension, Bath, NY 14810

The five plan to appeal the guilty verdict which resulted from their trial in September.The printing of the trial transcript and other expenses will require funding beyond the resources of the defendants. If you are able to make a donation, please send it to Mary Loehr 125 Park Place Ithaca, NY 14850. Checks should be made payable to: Ithaca Catholic Worker

Sentencing statements to follow.