Protesting the Iraq war isn't a crime

The title "Crime and Punishment" was boldly emblazoned in the Daily Herald on the front page of section 5, dated Dec. 27, 2007. The two page article included small photos with arrest and sentencing details of DuPage County residents. A large photo featured Jeff Zurawski and Sarah Hartfield, two anti-war protesters who were exercising their First Amendment rights on May 6, 2007 when they were approached by three DuPage County sheriff's deputies. They broke no law.

The First Amendment includes: "Congress shall make no law…; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble…" Is it not the responsibility of law officers to uphold citizen's civil liberties? Is this not abuse of power due to personal, partisan opinions? There has been no trial; nor have they been found guilty of any crime. Associating these law-abiding citizens with individuals who have committed murder, molested children, dealt drugs, lit their gasoline-soaked children on fire, beaten someone to death, raped an infant, killed an ex-girlfriend and other egregious crimes is sloppy and irresponsible reporting.

Dissent is the highest form of patriotism. Rather than a questionable arrest and newspaper implications, this pair deserves praise for speaking out against the dollar-guzzling, unconstitutional war where our young men and women are serving as cannon fodder for the oil industry. Is your newspaper attempting to send a subtle message to other anti-war protesters? An injustice was committed by DuPage County. A further injustice has been committed by your newspaper. Your freedom of the press has trampled on their freedom of speech.

Deanna Spingola Woodridge