Six anti-war activists staged a die-in during the 11AM Easter mass at Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago’s most prominent Catholic parish – and the home of one of the nation’s most conservative church leaders, Cardinal George.
The group of young individuals dressed in their Easter best, sat through the 11AM mass until George reached the homily. The protesters rose from their seats to address George and the hundreds of parishioners in the auditorium."The sixth commandment says 'Thou shall not kill'" said one protester. "Yet more than a million Iraqis have been killed since the invasion of Iraq," said a second. "On January 7, Cardinal George met for lunch with George W. Bush," said a third protester, saying that Bush was responsible for the ongoing carnage in Iraq. (That statement referred to a January 7 meetng Cardinal George and Chicago mayor Richard Daley had with George W. Bush during a presidential visit to Chicago that was capped by the arrest of four peace protesters.)
At this point during the church service, ushers had rushed around the protesters, who allegedly squirted themselves with stage blood and collapsed to the floor in the aisle.
The protesters voluntarily got to their feet at the ushers' urging and walked out of the auditorium, chanting "Even the Pope calls for peace!" "And so should we all call for peace," said George from the alter as the last protester was led out.
The protesters were arrested outside by Chicago police
The six peace activists - Angela, Regan, Schroeder, Ephran Donte, and Ryne chose Holy Name as a way to create a sense of urgency about the war with the cardinal and many of the city's elite who attend services there.
They are currently being held at Cook County jail at 26th and California. Police denied one arrestee who is hypoglycemic access to his medication. Police have also been verbally and physically abusing the prisoners.
