Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partnership

On March 7 we will pray in houses of worship across Capitol Hill and then gather for The Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partnership Witness in Upper Senate Park. We will then bring our call for an end to the war to Congress, represented by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. (Currently, delegations of religious leaders are seeking meetings with these two national leaders at this time.)

From the stage, a member of the Action Committee will outline the action scenario (below), explaining that there will be two processions: one walking to the Cannon House Office Building (where Rep. Pelosi’s House office is located) and the other walking to the Hart Senate Office Building (where Senator Reid’s Senate office is located). 

From the stage we will ask people to prepare to join one of the two processions. The procession to Cannon will line up to the left of the stage (as one faces it); the procession to Hart will line up to the right of the stage. From the stage we will ask those planning to risk arrest to come to the front of the procession they wish to join. (PEOPLE RISKING ARREST WILL DECIDE ON THE SITE THEY WILL GO TO DURING THE LEGAL AND SCENARIO BRIEFINGS ON THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING.)

Cannon House Office Building Procession and Action

At the conclusion of the interfaith gathering in Upper Senate Park, the procession to the Cannon House Office Building will leave. This procession will exit the park by walking east (left) on the sidewalk along Constitution Avenue; cross First St (east); proceed south (right) on the sidewalk along First Street to Independence Avenue; cross Independence Avenue (south); go right (west) and cross First St. and arrive at Cannon HOB.

Those led by conscience to engage in nonviolent civil disobedience and risk arrest will kneel stand, or sit in prayer as close as possible to the doors of the Cannon House Office Building, echoing the call which our religious leaders are making: that Congress act now to end the war and to set a new course of peace for the nation.

By remaining in place in continuous prayer for peace, we will quite likely be placed under arrest.

Those not risking arrest will stand and pray nearby, witnessing for a just and lasting peace. Speakers and singers from a range of religious traditions will offer prayers and song during the remainder of the event. 

Once those risking arrest are detained and removed, there will be a closing that reflects the spirit of our interfaith witness for peace.

If the authorities choose not to arrest people after a substantial length of time, the organizers will bring the event to a closure with a closing prayer.

Hart Senate Office Building Procession and Action

A couple of minutes after the Cannon Procession, the procession to the Hart Senate Office Building will leave. This procession will exit the park by walking east (left) on the sidewalk along Constitution Avenue; cross First St (east) and arrive at Hart.

The action will proceed at Hart as it will proceed at Cannon (see above).

Arrest Process, Booking, Etc.

We have posted a “Legal Briefing” that offers an overview of arrest and legal process, including best guess about consequences (based on recent arrests at the Capitol).  Here is the link:

http://www.olivebranchinterfaith.org/book/legal-issues-and-consequences

There is as yet no indication how long the booking process will take or how long people will be held. OBIPP is in conversation with the Capitol Police   who likely will not want to hold us. However, it will be late Friday afternoon and it could go very late on Friday; we could be held overnight; or we could even be held until Monday.

Please read the posted document for more a much more detailed overview:

http://www.olivebranchinterfaith.org/book/legal-issues-and-consequences