WASHINGTON, DC – It is not looking good for polar bears. The ice is disappearing in the Arctic. In Washington, DC the Democratic Congress just delayed designating polar bears endangered species. Now people dressed as polar bears who lobbied Congress are battling in court for their first amendment rights.

On Monday Oct. 22, 2007 during the No War No Warming demonstration many people dressed up as polar bears sang and danced their way on sidewalks outside of the Cannon House Office building to remind congress of the connection between war and global warming. Instead of being greeted with open ears, Capitol police insisted they disperse but the group that has come to be known as the Polar Bear 7 was seized as they attempted to leave less than 30 seconds after the first warning to disperse.

“Our right of lawful assembly is at stake when citizens who do not engage in acts of civil disobedience are held liable to the same penalties as those who do,” said “Polar Bear 7” co-defendant Paul “zool” Zulkowitz (who was not dressed in a polar bear costume).

Mr. Zulkowitz is being tried with co-defendants Alexis Baden-Mayer, Adam Eidinger, Robert Levitt and Cesar Maxit. Journalist William Jordan and fellow global warming activist Anna Duncun had their charges dropped at the being of the trial. Adam Eidinger and Robert Levitt have represented themselves Pro-se during the trial.

“The assault on our constitutional rights is snowballing,” said Polar Bear 7 arrestee Ariel Vegosen whose charges were dropped ahead of trial. “We did not do anything illegal and I spent a night in jail. We have a right to attest what is happening in the Arctic to the Polar Bears dressed as Polar Bears. All we were trying to do is make it clear that congress needs to stop this war and take action on global warming,” said Ms. Vegosen.

Adding insult to injury the prosecuting attorney for the government, Jeffrey Shapiro , is also a conservative pro-war, journalist. He has a history of prosecuting peaceful protesters and organizers. In his most recent case on January 17, Shapiro prosecuted 31 peace activists who were found guilty of unlawful assembly. Mr. Shapiro pushed for lengthy prison sentences. Co-defendants asked the Court to recuse Mr. Shapiro, however the Polar Bear case the self proclaimed, “Protestor Prosecutor,” was allowed to proceed.

Fellow activists who are alarmed by the threat to their right of lawful assembly in the nation’s capital are expected to attend the trial on Monday, February 11 at 12:00 noon in courtroom 211 in support of the Polar Bear 7. Two of the defendants were plaintiffs in Abbate v. Ramsey which was a similar mass arrest situation where activists given no real chance to disperse after an order had been given to do so.

An expensive sound system, polar bear costumes and other items continue to be held by police even though they are not being used as evidence. Day 6 of the polar bear trial resumes Monday Feb 11 at 12:00 noon in courtroom 211 before Judge Raphael Diaz. A verdict could come as early as Monday afternoon
###