For Immediate Release
World Can’t Wait– Drive Out the Bush Regime
www.worldcantwait.org
Press Contact: Connie Julian, 917-449-9064
February 12, 2007
Fr. LUIS BARRIOS TO BE TRIED FOR ANTI-BUSH PROTEST FEB. 13
MEANWHILE, HE IS ARRESTED AGAIN ON FEBRUARY 11
Fr. Luis Barrios, activist, Episcopal priest and professor, will be
in Municipal Court on Tuesday, 8:30AM, February 13, at 100 Centre
Street. He is on trial on multiple charges for a September 19 protest
at the United Nations. He was arrested along with 16 others (UN16) in a
non-violent protest on the day that President Bush was speaking at the
UN. Fr. Barrios was the first one arrested and was thrown to the ground
by the police.
In a new development this past Saturday night, February 10, Fr.
Barrios was arrested again upon leaving an event in the South Bronx. In
what appears to be an act of intimidation, the New York Police did not
reveal the reason for the arrest, but Fr. Barrios was held overnight
and not released until Sunday at 11AM.
Fr. Barrios, who is on the Steering Committee of World Can’t Wait–
Drive Out the Bush Regime, has a long history of support for the
struggle of the people.
During the September 19 protest, the UN 16 stated, “We have come to
the United Nations today to engage in non-violent civil disobedience.
We demand the war on Iraq end immediately. We oppose any attack on
Iran. We declare to the world that President George W. Bush has been
found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He does not
speak for us!”
Fr. Barrios is charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting
arrest and disorderly conduct during the September 19 protest. Members
of churches, schools, community organizations and the wider community
will gather at 8:30 A.M. at 100 Centre Street to support Fr. Barrios
and demand that all the charges be dropped.
Fr. Luis Barrios is an associate professor and chair of the Puerto
Rican / Latin American Studies Department at John Jay College of
Criminal Justice.
For interviews with Fr. Barrios call 917-449-9064
# # #