With great interest, Judge Kim Schaefer asked the defendant if she had created a disturbance that day. Van Poolen proudly said, “Yes, I stood up and spoke in front of several hundred people, and I said, ‘General David Petraeus you are a war criminal responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent men, women and children. I am a graduate of Calvin College and a follower of Jesus Christ and I am here to speak out.’”

Judge Schaefer interrupted and asked what the effect was. Van Poolen responded, “Petraeus stopped speaking and then two men brought me outside.”

Next Van Poolen’s lawyer David LeGrande spoke in her defense, saying, “It was an intentional act of civil disobedience. The tradition sees it as appropriate to break laws and deal with the consequences…to right injustice.” Defense attorney LeGrande continued, “She performed a public service by challenging militarism and the often unchallenged acts of aggression by the U.S. She is a full-time ideologue and I mean that in the best sense of the word. She has the support of local activists in court today and the support of communities in other parts of our country and the world.”

Judge Schaefer, appreciating this exceptional plea in her court. asked if Van Poolen had any final comments.

Van Poolen responded, “I was practicing free speech in a non-violent way. I did so with the sincere belief that, to call attention to the outrageous and immoral acts of U.S. leaders, civil disobedience is required. I hope my actions followed in the footsteps of other great and inspiring leaders.”

Van Poolen is required to pay $160 in restitution as requested by the prosecution and about $300 in court costs and fees for a total near $460. She plans to enter a work program with other low-income women doing physical labor to pay off their debts to the justice system. Anti-war activists in Grand Rapids are also raising funds in solidarity with her bold action.

#GrandRapidsMI #AntiwarMovement #PoliticalRepression #GeneralPetraeus #DebVanPoolen

Van Poolen interrupted General Petraeus as he was attempting to justify the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan at a luncheon sponsored by the West Michigan World Affairs Council. The Council is where the wealthy Republicans of West Michigan promote a reactionary, anti-union, pro-war agenda.

Deb Van Poolen was grabbed by the arm, but stood her ground as she planned to speak out against the inhumanity of U.S. drone warfare that terrorizes people throughout the Middle East. Two men then came and escorted her out to a Grand Rapids police car where she was arrested for trespass.

U.S. General David Petraeus oversaw the defeat of U.S. forces in Iraq and then the ‘surge’ strategy that is prolonging the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Petraeus was later appointed CIA director under the Obama administration, where he greatly expanded the use of U.S. killer drones in Pakistan and other countries. Petraeus is known throughout the world for war crimes. General Petraeus was responsible for setting up Iraqi death squads and torture centers. The killing and bombing that continues today in Iraq is due in part to the policies of Petraeus.

Seeing that Van Poolen was joined by a group of supporters and her lawyer in the courtroom, the judge said, “I assume you are pleading ‘not guilty.’” Van Poolen agreed. The court assigned a pre-trial conference on Feb. 25.

Alex Gebhardt of the Left Forum of Grand Rapids said, “We are planning to organize solidarity with Deb Van Poolen and her bold act of speaking truth to power. The U.S. war-makers and human rights abusers need to be confronted. We plan to hold a rally and pack the courtroom for her trial.”

#GrandRapidsMI #AntiwarMovement #GeneralPetraeus #DebVanPoolen