Read on:
People’s Weekly World
July 14, 2007
Rumblings in suburbia for peace, free speech
By Cristobal Cavazos
DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill. — For peace activists, being in west suburban Chicago often feels like being behind enemy lines. But fissures are developing in this land of right-wing heavies like Republican Reps.
Dennis Hastert and Peter Roskam and former Rep. Henry "nothing to" Hyde
— corporate and bellicose all. Behind the big box stores, fast food places and luxury townhouse construction sites, poverty and homelessness have risen. Meanwhile, gentrification in the city has led to urban flight into the suburbs … and then there’s the war.
"We are active in what is seen as one of the most conservative areas in the country," said local antiwar activist Kevin Lindemann, "but our Honk for Peace rallies receive an overwhelmingly positive response."
Such local events have educated suburban residents about the war and motivated new people out onto the front lines.
Jeff Zurawski is one such person. "I remember a day, several months ago, when I realized some disturbing truths, the first few on what’s become quite a long list of disturbing truths," he said. "The people of Iraq, who posed no threat to us, are being slaughtered and their country destroyed."
The power of such revelations would lead Zurawski and friend Sarah Hartfield into action May 6 on a local tollway overpass, armed with a banner reading "Impeach Bush and Cheney — liars" and an upside-down American flag, both expressions securely within their First Amendment rights.
"What propelled me was the need to express myself," said Zurawski. "The more I’ve learned, the more outraged I’ve become, and that motivates me to do something to help stop the injustice."
Local entrenched forces are motivated by other demons, however. Weeks after the event, on May 25, a sheriff showed up at Zurawski’s door to arrest him on the allegation that he had tossed unknown objects onto the tollway from the overpass. Sarah later turned herself in after a warrant for her arrest was issued.
Prosecuting the case is DuPage County States Attorney Joe Birkett, apparently in a desperate attempt to rally his right-wing base after his failed bids for attorney general in 2002 and lieutenant governor in 2006. Birkett was a lead prosecutor in the racist prosecution of Rolando Cruz in 1994 for a murder that DNA evidence revealed he didn’t commit.
Local antiwar groups have mobilized behind Zurawski and Hartfield in this battle for free speech in what is obviously a political case against the pair. Local press coverage has been sympathetic.
"I have a feeling the sheriff truly didn’t anticipate all the attention this is getting," Zurawski said.
With around two dozen supporters seated behind him, Zurawski appeared in court on June 27 to challenge his arrest. Prosecutors may try to amend the complaint against the pair, upgrading the charges from disorderly to reckless conduct. If convicted, the two could face up to a year in prison and $2,500 in fines. Zurawski ‘s next court date is July 16.
To help get the charges against Zurawski and Hartfield dropped, supporters are urging the public to contact States Attorney Joe Birkett’s office by phone at (630) 407-8000, by e-mail at stsattn@dupageco. org, or by mail at 503 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton IL 60187 and demand all charges against Jeff Zurawski and Sarah Hartfield
be dropped.
Activists say they want to let Birkett know that attacks on free speech will not be tolerated, and the antiwar movement — both suburban and urban — will not let up until the war is ended.
Now, to put things in perspective, lets look at States Attorney Birkett's past. Did you know he ran for Governor of Illinois? And then Lt. Governor? A little digging reveals some interesting information:
Birkett plea sets off firestorm
Women’s advocates and politicians on Wednesday traded barbs on the significance of a controversial DuPage County domestic abuse case and what it may say about whether DuPage State’s Attorney Joseph Birkett ought to be elected Illinois attorney general this fall.
From the Daily Herald:
How Birkett loan could alter system
By Joseph Ryan Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted March 20, 2003
SPRINGFIELD - Reacting to a controversial loan DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett's campaign for attorney general received, the Illinois Senate Wednesday approved a proposal to ban that and similar types of campaign financing.
The measure prohibits loans from criminal defense attorneys to candidates for both county state's attorney and attorney general. Supporters said such loans taint the judicial system.
Birkett came under fire for accepting more than $100,000 in loans last year from criminal defense attorneys who handle cases in DuPage County.
"It is a relationship where the prosecutor has a tremendous amount of control," said state Sen. John J. Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat and the plan's sponsor. "It's really not appropriate in my opinion to have loans outstanding. It can be an ongoing sword over a prosecutor's head."
However, Birkett said he did nothing improper in accepting the loans and has since repaid them. Democrat Lisa Madigan, a former state senator, won the state attorney general's race last year.
"This is politics, and you expect this kind of thing," Birkett said. "I just don't think it makes a whole lot of sense. It should apply to everyone."
Several suburban Republicans argued against the measure by making similar points. State Sen. Peter Roskam, a Wheaton Republican, questioned why lawmakers should focus solely on defense attorneys and prosecutors. He said loans and contributions should be outlawed from any profession to a candidate in a supervisory role.
The legislation, which also would cover sitting attorneys general and state's attorneys, applies only to criminal defense attorneys who have practiced in those jurisdictions within the previous two years.
A violation could carry a $5,000 fine.
The proposal now goes to the Illinois House.
Here's an article where Birkett agrees with Judy Barr Topinka, candidate at that time for Illinois Governor with Birkett her choice for Lt. Gov., where they both agree to bring back the Death Penalty to Illinois.
Will the Death Penalty Return to Illinois?
By Eric Ferkenhoff/Chicago
This week's sweeping guilty verdict in the federal corruption case against former Illinois Governor George Ryan seemed sure to seal the gruff Republican's legacy as yet another in a long line of crooked Illinois politicians. But Ryan�s other major legacy — the moratorium he placed on executions in 2000, which earned him a Nobel Peace Prize nomination — is also under attack, and the reverberations could be felt across the entire country's criminal justice system.
Six years after Ryan's unilateral move set off a wave of capital punishment reforms nationwide, conservative prosecutors throughout the state are hoping a change at the Governor's Mansion this fall can usher back the death penalty. While Democratic incumbent Rod Blagojevich has said Ryan's moratorium should remain in place, at least for the foreseeable future, his Republican challenger and state treasurer Judy Baar Topinka has hinted that enough safeguards have now been put into place for the death penalty to be reinstated.
"It's time to have a Governor who exercises authority in the way it was intended," said Topinka's running mate Joseph Birkett, the state's attorney in Republican DuPage County, who helped author some of the reforms in Illinois. "People felt betrayed by what Ryan did."
I'm looking for more, but if you have anything to add, with links please, please leave it in comments and I will move it to the main blog.
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