Palumbo's day in court Photo Gallery by Garrie Rouse at pbase.com

Palumbo's day in court

On February 22, 2007, a small, peaceful group of Congresswoman Thelma Drake’s constituents attempted to deliver letters and petitions to her Virginia Beach office, requesting that she vote against the troop surge in Iraq. Thelma Drake’s staff responded by locking the doors and refusing to either meet with them or to accept their letters and petitions. Tom Palumbo, a member of Veterans for Peace who was charged with the delivery of signatures from constituents who were not there, remained on the sidewalk and was subsequently arrested by the police and charged with criminal trespassing.

On March 26, 2007, Tom Palumbo appeared at the Princess Anne Courthouse to present his case for freedom of speech and assembly … two rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the U.S. and upheld by the Supreme Court. Over 30 of Tom’s supporters appeared early that day to rally along Nimmo Parkway, again in front of the courthouse, and then to join Tom in the courtroom to show solidarity and bear witness to the proceedings. The landlord who pressed the charges failed to appear and had, in fact, provided a false or incorrect return address. The case was subsequently dismissed by the judge, a pronouncement that was met with a burst of applause from the packed courtroom.

Although supporters and activists were happy to see the charges dismissed, Tom and his lawyer (Jack Ferrebee) had come prepared to have their “day in court”. His case for his First Amendment rights of free speech, assembly and to petition had not yet been made. Furthermore, there remained the issue of Congresswoman Drake’s staff not respecting those of her constituents whose values and perspectives might differ from hers. Reassembling on the steps of the courthouse, Tom and his attorney were able to state their case to supporters and several media outlets that were waiting to cover the outcome of another trial taking place that day.

Afterwards, about a dozen people (along with media outlets WAVY 10 and WRIR) joined Tom as they returned to Congresswoman Drake's office with the unfinished business from Feb 22nd. On this occasion the doors remained open. Approximately 60 personal messages were delivered to Drake’s office manager that day who, in spite of the negative fallout from previously barring access by peaceful, law abiding constituents of Virginia’s 2nd District, still had her confrontational “moments”.

Tom Palumbo	in front of the courthouse (I)	in front of the courthouse (II)	First Amendment
security	Joe	I've got my eye on you ...	gathering to hear Tom
case dismissed	Jack Ferrebee (Tom's attorney)	First Amendment victory	talking to the media (I)
talking to the media (II)	talking to the media (III)		support our troops ... bring them home now
Lauren	second time		the company we keep ...
presenting signatures (I)	presenting signatures (II)	face to face	combative
		silence is complicity
taking a break	WRIR (Richmond)	"Is there any trouble here ladies?"	success

comment |

Garrie Rouse		12-Aug-2007 13:04
Dear Guest, As you have not provided any way for me to contact you, I will try and respond to your comment here. You start by framing the argument in terms of “liberty” for 25 million people. That’s convenient (who could argue against liberating 25 million people), but it is in my estimation both a misleading and dishonest starting point for discussion over the Iraq War. Recall that the argument brought by the United States before the World community for military action in Iraq was based upon the presence of WMD there and the imminent threat that Iraq posed to us and other nations. The second argument put forward by our government was that Saddam was seeking an allegiance with al Queda to perpetuate further terrorist acts. But, it was not until after the first bombs fell that the name of our mission … “Iraqi Enduring Freedom” … unfolded. I have to hand it to those behind the scenes that came up with such a mission name. It had the dual affect of temporarily muffling dissent to an otherwise illegal and immoral military action on the part of our nation (who could argue against “enduring freedom” for a whole group of people) and, at the same time, it provided another convenient argument (in addition to that of Iraq being an imminent threat to the US) for those who were already on board with our country using its superior military power to practice hegemony around the world. In the end, however, I do not see enduring freedom for the Iraqi people. Nor do I believe that most Americans who support this war really give a rat’s a-- about the well being of an Iraqi. In the end … what I see is a once vibrant country that had much of its critical infrastructure rocked by surgical bombing attacks … twice … with 12 years of debilitating sanctions in between. What I see is a country that once had the best health care and education system in the Middle East reduced to rubble. What I see is a very gloomy prospect for women in a country which once had one of the most progressive attitudes in the Middle East toward empowerment of women. What I see are millions of refugees fleeing their homeland, not from Saddam, but from what we have made of it. What I see is a region that now cultivates terrorists, terrorist organizations and terrorist acts where it once did not. On the other hand, I also see that we have succeeded in removing a tyrant who had the audacity to withhold oil resources from the United States. What I see is the establishment of a large, long-term military presence in the heart of the Middle East from which to practice our hegemony over the region, including the very real prospect of using Iraq as a base of operations to stage future (“preemptive”) wars against other Middle Eastern countries. What I see is our heavy and direct involvement in restructuring an Iraqi government that will have to be friendly and beholden to the United States and its 3000 member “embassy” in Baghdad’s “Green Zone”. What I see is our heavy and direct involvement in the crafting of an Iraqi “Oil Law” that will ensure Western oil companies have guaranteed access to the world’s second largest oil reserves at rates of return on investment that are unprecedented in the industry … all in the name of “helping” the Iraqi people. So … you go ahead and continue to patriotically hold the American flag high over your head in an effort to try and reassure yourself of the nobility of our “preemptive” military actions abroad. I and many of other Americans, on the other hand, will continue to exercise what is not only our right … but responsibility … to critically evaluate and speak up regarding actions being conducted in our name. Garrie

Guest		29-Jul-2007 04:43
How is protesting to prevent 25 million people from having a chance for liberty heroic? America is trying to give to Iraqis the same freedoms that we have. All you "heroes" can do is protest! Liberals used to champion freedom and democracy around the world. Today, you protest against it. You've become as backward and uncaring as the Republicans of the 1930's.... and you're PROUD of it! How pathetic.

virginiacoastline		18-Apr-2007 16:34
excellent gallery and information, Garrie . . .thanks for posting these GMV!

Guest		05-Apr-2007 17:03
Thank you, Tom! Gary Sandman, Roanoke

Lyle		31-Mar-2007 18:19
I'm glad we have people like Tom Palumbo, who are willing to risk jail time to stand up for the constitutional right of all Americans. Although Tom is no longer on active duty with the U.S. Army, he continues to serve his country as evidenced by the events of February 22, 2007. It is shameful that he had to take that stand against our rights being violated by our congressional representative, who has taken an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of The United States.

Guest		31-Mar-2007 05:33
What an amazing story. Tom is a true hero; actually, all of you are! Wonderful photos and article, Garrie. Thanks. --Tyla

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