October 21, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO -- When Karl Rove took the stage at the Mortgage Bankers Association annual convention at the Moscone Center in San Francisco today, CODEPINK women in the audience staged a citizen's arrest of the former Bush Administration chief of staff, under California Code 837. This action follows on the heels of yesterday's appearance on stage of Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK, who disrupted the convention to ask for a moratorium on foreclosures. 

Janine Boneparth, 58, of Ross, CA, walked on the stage with handcuffs and placed a cuff on Rove's wrist before he yanked it away, while stating, "I have to make a citizens arrest.  You are under arrest for treason." (Watch film of the arrest from ABC 7 here: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/business&id=6461516)

At the same moment, Nancy Mancias, 38, of San Francisco, CA, held a banner in front of the stage that read, "Rove (hearts) torture, treason and fraud!"

 "Ladies and gentlemen, Karl Rove is not fit to address you today," Mancias said. "Karl Rove was involved in lying to the American people about the Iraq war."

The moderator responded by asking Sen. Mitchell and Rove, with a chuckle, who will win World Series. After Rove talked about who in Congress is responsible for the economic crisis and who should we believe, Rae Abileah, 25, of Half Moon Bay, stood up.  

"Karl Rove, how can we believe you when you lied to get us into the war in Iraq?" Abileah said. "You are under arrest for contempt of Congress."  

Abileah held up a banner that read: "ARREST ROVE/ Lying about War/ Outing C.I.A. Agent/ Contempt of Congress/ Supporting Torture".  Three security men tackled her and clasped their hands over her face. She broke free and repeated, "Rove is under arrest for treason."

A few minutes later, when Rove was talking about the war, Keiko Schnelle, 21, of Albany, and Blaine Clarke, 28, of San Francisco, stood up with a banner that said "Rove = War Criminal."  

"Karl Rove is the one misleading the American people," Clarke shouted. "Karl Rove is a war criminal. Arrest Karl Rove!"

Security then pushed Clarke to the ground and dragged her out along with Schnelle.  All five CODEPINK women were escorted out of the building by police without charges. They asked police to assist with the future citizens arrest of Karl Rove. They carried copies of the full arrest complaint, which is included below this release.

Yesterday during a keynote panel with heads of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac at the MBA convention, Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK, walked onstage to call for a moratorium on foreclosures. (Watch video of it here here http://www.truveo.com/Mortgage-Bankers-Gathering-Met-By-SF-Protestors/id/1530783410).  

"Since the public bailed out your companies, the public should have a right to ask a question," Benjamin said calmly once she walked up onto the stage. "We need a moratorium on foreclosures. Will you please call for that, sirs?"  She was then forcefully escorted off the stage. 

CODEPINK has been birddogging Karl Rove as he tours the country, including demonstrations at his recent Sacramento appearance at the Perspectives public affairs forum, and at the Houston Aquarium.  Benjamin remarked, "We are demanding accountability from Karl Rove who lied to get us into the war and outed C.I.A. agent Valerie Plame.  If law enforcement and Congress won't do it, we the American people will!"  

CODEPINK, founded in 2002, is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into health care, education and other life-affirming activities. We reject the Bush administration's fear-based politics that justify violence, and instead call for policies based on compassion, kindness and a commitment to international law. With an emphasis on joy and humor, CODEPINK women and men seek to activate, amplify and inspire a community of peacemakers through creative campaigns and a commitment to non-violence.  For more info, visit www.codepinkalert.org.