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Rev. Baker -- Open Discussion

Sat Feb 24, 2007 at 04:42:00 PM EST

Sharon Wilson digs deeper into the story behind Reverend Baker's sentence picking trash in freezing temperature off the DC streets.

Wilson's article begins:

Reverend Diane Baker, the 2006 Dallas Peace Center "Peacemaker of the Year," was missing from the photo taken when the rest of her Texas delegation met in Washington, DC with Senator Cornyn on January 27th. Why?

The 60 year old grandmother was busy picking up trash from the Washington, DC streets in blustery 20-degree weather to fulfill her sentence garnered from her September 2006 infraction while attending the DC-based Camp Democracy.

Reverend Baker's letter to her supporters includes this text: "They chose to charge me with a criminal ordinance, crossing a police line, instead of a civil ordinance, such as protesting without a permit, in order to make this more of a painful experience for me and the other protestors. "

What do you think, was the sentencing fair? Did Rev. Baker respond appropriately? Read the rest of the article "Peacemaker of the Year" Cleans DC Streets and tell us what you think.

Photo © Emily J. Reynolds COX WASHINGTON BUREAU, used with permission

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commentary :: :: :: buzz-it!

Rev. Baker -- Open Discussion | 3 comments (3 topical, 0 hidden)

US Attorney (5.00 / 1) (#1)

Excerpt:

The Judge didn't have anything to do with the community service. That was the determination of the U.S. Attorney, or the "prosecutor" in this case.

I can't help but ask..who was the US Attorney in this case?

by susie dow on Sat Feb 24, 2007 at 07:28:48 PM EST

: They didn't know (5.00 / 1) (#2)

the US Attorney's name. Apparently the US Attorney's office has a bunch of attorneys working there. Their lawyer talked to the attorney on behalf of Diane.

by TXsharon on Sat Feb 24, 2007 at 10:30:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

American Justice (5.00 / 1) (#3)

This seems very reminiscent of the way southern justice was meted out to civil rights protestors--and for that matter as a matter of course to African-Americans as well.

The difference is that in the 1960s eventually, albeit under pressure, the federal government stepped in to surpress the violence.

I think this is a very important story.

by carol white on Sun Feb 25, 2007 at 06:10:26 AM EST

Rev. Baker -- Open Discussion | 3 comments (3 topical, 0 hidden)

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