As a result of their August 1999 arrests for refusing to obey a police officer at the Pentagon, Peter DeMott and Felton Davis were sent to jail October 24. The men were convicted by a federal magistrate last August. The prosecutor alleged it was clear both men feel above the law and beyond the limits applied to others, and thus deserve a little prison time.

Davis, replying extemporaneously, pointed out that both he and DeMott were there for sentencing, and they were ready to take the consequences for their actions as they always have. Further, he said, it is the Pentagon that feels above the the law; it is the Pentagon that accepts no limits, which is manifest by their actions around the world.

DeMott told the court "...I freely and openly admit to having so refused [an order to leave the Pentagon] and furthermore to having done so now consistently in numerous nonviolent protests for more than twenty years... As a husband and father, as a Vietnam veteran and a would be Christian I cannot and will not stop until the Pentagon transforms itself into an institution promoting unity and love, justice and peace."

Davis and DeMott received 60 day sentences, with Davis earning an additional 30 days for probation violation. DeMott was released just before Christmas, and Davis about January 22.

For more information, contact Jonah House, 1301 Moreland, Baltimore, MD 21216, (410)233-4067, disarmnow@erols.com.