Anti-war protesters gather at Fossella's office; Cops break it up

Anti-war protesters gather at Fossella's office; Cops break it up
Posted by Staten Island Advance March 23, 2007 5:35PM http://blog.silive.com/advanceupdate/2007/03/antiwar_protestors_rally_at_fo.html

Categories: Breaking News, Politics

Five people were arrested inside Congressman Vito Fossella's (R, NY) office at around 1 p.m., according to Colin Donnaruma, who was a legal observer for the protestors. She said the men and women who were reciting the names of the troops killed in Iraq were given an ultimatum by police officers: Leave or be arrested.

According to an observer, the group had assembled at Fossella's office, located at 4434 Amboy Road, in the Eltingville section of Staten Island, around 9 a.m.and remained there for the better part of 3 1/2 hours demanding an audience with Fossella, who is currently in his Washington D.C. office for today's scheduled votes.

Irving Silverstein/Staten Island AdvanceAnti-war protesters gather inside Rep. Vito Fossella's Eltingville office. They were later removed by police.

About 25 members of Peace Action Staten Island gathered outside Fossella's office with posters expressing their opposition to his stand on the war in Iraq, and also had makeshift coffins draped with American flags on the sidewalk outside his office.

Five people were in Fossella's office reading off the names of the servicemen and women who have died in the conflict.

Several people left, Donnaruma said, but five stood their ground and were taken out in plastic handcuffs. They were brought to the 122nd Precinct in New Dorp, where they were charged with criminal tresspass and disorderly conduct. They were expected to be issued desk appearance tickets and released later today.

All the protesters left Fossella's office after the arrests with a small number showing up outside the police stationhouse.

-- Contributed by Stephanie Slepian