One step closer to Congestion Pricing in NYC

NYC Council approved the Mayor’s congestion pricing plan. Now, it goes to the state legislature for a vote.

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Catholics Against the War

Press contacts: Kevin Clark, 312-259-4380, solitaryleftist@aol.com; JeffPickering, 773-551-2353Peace Activists Stage Dramatic ‘Die-In’ at Holy Name Cathedral toProtest Anniversary of Iraq War Group decries Cardinal George’s January 7 meeting with Mayor Daley andPresident Bush, the ‘chief architect’ of the ongoing carnage in Iraq. CHICAGO, March 23 – Six members of the anti-war group “CatholicSchoolgirls Against The War” staged a dramatic die-in during the 11AMEaster mass at Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago’s most prominent Catholicparish – and the home of one of the nation’s most conservative churchleaders, Cardinal George.The three men and three women activists timed the action to reach bothHoly Name’s large easter audience – including Chicago’s most prominentCatholic citizens, who commonly attend Easter mass at the church — andthe many more viewers and readers of the local press, which usuallyextensively cover the services.The action was staged in the Gold Coast cathedral’s parish center, anauditorium where mass is being said while the main cathedral undergoesrenovation. Easter services at Holy Name are traditionally one of themost heavily attended masses of the year, and this mass was noexception, with people packed wall to wall for today’s Easter morningholiday service.The group of young men and women, dressed in their Easter best, satthrough the 11AM mass until George reached the homily. A few secondsinto the cardinal’s main holiday message, the protesters rose from theirseats, turned to address the thousands of parishioners in theauditorium, and talked about the continuing death of both Iraqis andAmericans in Iraq as the war enters its sixth year.The protesters also reminded the churchgoers that on January 7, 2008,cardinal George and Chicago mayor Richard Daley met in Chicago with U.S.president George W. Bush – the principle public figure responsible forinitiating the carnage in Iraq – and denounced this meeting.The protesters then laid down in the aisles and discharged packets offake blood that covered them in red. Stunned ushers rushed in after amoment or two to try to remove the protesters, and also brought in someChicago police officers who were stationed in the lobby to help withtraffic control for the overflow crowd. The protesters did NOT resistarrest, agreeing to stand up and walk out of the auditorium, where theywere subsequently arrested by cops outside. During a ten minute wait fora paddy wagon to show up, the activists conducted a series of mediainterviews with local television outlets. When the paddy wagon arrived,the cuffed protesters were loaded and taken to an area police station.The impact inside the auditorium was powerful. According to aneyewitness on the scene, once the protesters were led out, the audiencesat in shocked silence for a few moments. George then said “And weshould thank our friends for what they have had to say,” – and theparishioners responded with a round of applause.Supporters of the protesters are still awaiting word on their finaldestination and the charges they may ultimately confront, althoughpolice stated at 12:15PM that the activists are currently being held atthe 18th District police station, located at 1160 N. Larrabee Ave.,312-742-5870.