Anti-war group to protest inside congressional chambers

An anti-war group is planning to protest inside the Senate and House chambers next Tuesday in an effort to persuade Congress to get U.S. troops out of Iraq.

The group, America Stands Watch, said participants will enter the chambers through the congressional galleries, which are open to the public. Many participants will not know initially who the other protesters are, but they will get a signal: when a group of Iraq veterans stands up, the anonymous participants will also rise and “stand watch” over Congress.

{mosads}“We tried voting. We tried marches. We tried writing letters and making phone calls,” the group said in letters to senators last week. “Now we’re coming to the Senate chambers. Congress works for the nation, and Americans are not happy with your work.”

The group is providing volunteers with a step-by-step plan on how the protest will be carried out, including details on where to pick up tickets for the galleries.

In addition, America Stands Watch warns protesters not to bring anything into the chambers.

“Leave everything you can at home. Nothing can be brought into the galleries – no pens, no paper, reading materials, cell phones or cameras,” the group stated. “You’ll be asked to check all of these things before entering, and security may not be very helpful in retrieving your items after the action.”

While the group anticipates some trouble, it makes clear that it does not want participants to escalate tensions.

“We will remain standing as long as we can, but we expect that security will not allow this to go on for very long. This action is about standing watch over Congress, not interrupting its work, so if you are asked to leave, please do so in an orderly fashion.”

Capitol Police Sergeant Kimberly Schneider said that all gallery visitors are required to sit down.

The group also asks participants to leave “buttons, signs and t-shirts at home.”