Nine of 10 people charged with misdemeanor trespassing for allegedly blocking the entrance of the Federal Building in Duluth's Civic Center on Sept. 21 appeared in St. Louis County District Court this morning.
All nine entered not guilty pleas. Their next court appearances will be on Nov. 21. The 10th defendant is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday to enter her plea.
The 10 were arrested during a 38-minute peaceful incident after an anti-war march and rally, part of the daylong Strike for Peace event. The event began with more than 200 people gathering at the Clayton, Jackson and McGhie Memorial to march to a noon rally against the war in Iraq at Duluth's Civic Center.
After the rally, a number of the people went to the Federal Building to visit Rep. James Oberstar's office. According to Joel Kilgour, the protest began after security officials allowed only five people to enter the building.
"Citizens have a right to enter federal buildings," Kilgour said after court this morning. "We were clearly denied access to the building because of our political beliefs."
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Pleading not guilty this morning were Kilgour, Ozone Bhaguan, Kristopher Lass Dubbels, Emily Ann Gaarder, Peter John Krause, John Michael LaForge, David Forrest Moulton, Jay Newcomb and Lori Beth Seele. Bonnie Lee Urfer is scheduled to enter a plea on Wednesday.
Kilgour said the 10n plan to make a motion at their next court appearance to have the charges dismissed.
