Calling for an end to the 12-year war in Afghanistan.

Calling for an end to all U.S. wars of aggression.

Remembering all those who have fallen and been wounded by war.

Standing up for our right, duty and sworn oath, to defend the Constitution and to assemble and organize

The reading of names of the dead continues as five veterans lie handcuffed together. Those handcuffed are (clockwise from top left): WWII vet Jay Wenk, Ellen Barfield, Ken Mayers, Micah Turner, and Tarak Kauff. Photo by ELLEN DAVIDSON

Fourteen of those arrested were released after being given criminal summonses and charged with “remaining in the park after it is closed to public” and “failure to comply with a police order.” Their cases have since been dismissed by a judge.

The remaining five, including decorated World War II veteran, Jay Wenk, had handcuffed themselves together to symbolize their shared humanity and that of all the victims of war, as well as the fact that those killed in war are forever linked by death. They are charged with resisting arrest, obstructing government administration, disorderly conduct, failure to obey a park sign, trespassing, and failure to obey a lawful order. The first two charges guaranteed them the right to a jury trial. The five will go on trial March 10th at 100 Centre Street.

They face a possible 12 months in prison.

We urge friends and allies to pack the court. The trial is expected to last 4-5 days.

Vietnam-era nurse Susan Schnall. Photo by ELLEN DAVIDSON

Susan Schall a Vietnam era nurse spoke at the Memorial. “This is our memorial. We paid for it with our lives and our suffering and we are here to speak out against war!”

Iraq War veteran Micah Turner. Photo by ELLEN DAVIDSON

Micah Turner one of the five on trial spoke that night of the high rates of suicides among veterans and active-duty members of the military: “Three members of my unit committed suicide in a 30-day period. … It becomes clear to me that this epidemic has no discrimination between race, rank, or age.”