Anti-war grannies in court after enlistment stunt
A group of grannies appeared in an American court today charged with criminal trespass after attempting to sign up for military service in Iraq.
The elderly women are part of a group called The Raging Grannies of Tucson which has protested against the war every week for three years.
They were arrested after entering an Arizona military recruitment centre claiming they wanted to join up.
“We were told protesters weren’t allowed on the premises but we said we were there to enlist,” said Pat Birnie, a group spokeswoman.
“We would rather offer ourselves up and have our grandchildren brought home out of harm’s way.”
The group sang two anti-war songs before police arrived.
Mrs Birnie, 75, said she had hoped the judge would dismiss the charges when they appeared in court today as she deemed it wrongful arrest.
But the five OAPs, in their 60s and 70s, as well as four journalists, were told to appear for a pre-trial hearing on August 19.
The group has protested against the Iraq war outside the Tucson recruitment centre every Wednesday for three years.
They put their anti-war message to the tune of familiar songs and sing their protest.
“We want all the young men and women in service to return home,” Mrs Birnie added.
“They had no business being there to begin with and are in harm’s way and causing harm to innocent people. We believe diplomacy should be used rather than violence.”
