Fr. Luis Barrios, an associate priest at St. Mary's, is in need of your prayers, and if possible, your presence.
Here is a release from Not in Our Name.
Fr. Luis Barrios, activist, Episcopal priest and professor, will be in Municipal Court on Tuesday, 8:30AM, February 13, at 100 Centre Street. He is on trial on multiple charges for a September 19 protest at the United Nations. He was arrested along with 16 others (UN16) in a non-violent protest on the day that President Bush was speaking at the UN. Fr. Barrios was the first one arrested and was thrown to the ground by the police.
In a new development, on Saturday night, February 10, Fr. Barrios was arrested again upon leaving an event in the South Bronx. In what appears to be an act of intimidatio n, the New York Police did not reveal the reason for the arrest, but Fr. Barrios was held overnight and not released until Sunday.
Fr. Luis Barrios is an associate professor and chair of the Puerto Rican/Latin American Studies Department at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He is charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct during the September 19 protest.
During that protest, the UN 16 stated, "We have come to the United Nations today to engage in non-violent civil disobedience. We demand the war on Iraq end immediately. We oppose any attack on Iran. We declare to the world that President George W. Bush has been found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He does not speak for us!"
This picture was taken at a demonstration last May and is from an article by Ethan Vesely-Flad in The Witness last June.
1 comment:
hi Allen, I just discovered your blog! got a Google alert that connected me to your recent post about Luis Barrios. this is sad and concerning news: please keep me updated.
what's ironic is that I'd forgotten that my photo of Luis appeared online in "The Witness" -- I had previously used it in "Fellowship" mag, but your piece reminded me of the piece I wrote for the Episcopal community calling for anti-torture legislation at General Convention. I am still saddened by the fact that the Convention was too wrapped up in other "business" to pass that important resolution.
anyway, thanks again. peace, Ethan
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