A man splashed his own blood on a column outside the federal courthouse in Binghamton, NY, where four anti-war protesters were on trial for engaging in a similar protest at a military recruiting station. Gary Kline, 50, of Montour Falls, walked past police officers and splashed the blood on a column outside the Binghamton Federal Building. He then made handprints on the surface. Local police released Kline, saying any charges would have to come from federal prosecutors.
Peaceful protests have been held all week outside the trial of four Ithaca residents accused of vandalizing the Army and Marine Corps recruiting station in Lansing, NY, on March 17, 2003. They splattered their blood on the windows and walls, posters and an American flag.
The four defendants each face up to six years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 on the primary charge of conspiracy to impede an officer of the United States. Prosecutors decided to try them in US District Court after a mistrial in Tompkins County on state charges. They claim they participated in a justifiable nonviolent action. (AP [1], Sept. 22)
See our last report on the politics of the anti-war movement [2].
