Out in the Mountains Massachusetts Civil Disobedience from page 10 Civil disobedience participant McCray said, “Fifteen years has shown that a few controlled people doing back room lobby- ing is not going to do it. We need to be out on the street. People don’t just hand over civil rights and liberation...the senators may say that protests have no impact, but they can’t help butrespect people who have the nerve to put their bodies on the line to stand up for their rights.” Lesbians and gay men involved in the Jan. 4 action offered detailed accounts that excessive violence had been used by some law enforcement officers. Newscameras were present and State House court officers were “throwing people around” very care- lessly; it may have been worse without media witnesses. Officials had closed one of the Senate viewing galleries, possibly in anticipation of the protest. The one remaining gallery was full, protesters waiting in line outside, delaying the start of the civil disobedience. Bob Wheatly, gay activist and Unitar- ian minister, initiated the action by inter- rupting Sen. David Locke shouting, “I object to what you’re doing! Where’s the gay rights bill?” Court officers rushed to Tues. Ed ’s 57 Bud Night Wed. Ladies Night Thurs. Boys Night Out Womyn's Dance - Fri. Feb. 5 - 5pm - 9pm $3.00 Stolen Heart Dance - Sat. Feb. 13 o 9 - closing All You Can Eat Pasta Night-wed. Feb. 17- $3.75 UVM-GLBA Leap Year Dance -Tues. Feb. 23 . suggested donation $2.00 Downstairs is Open Tues., Thurs, Fri., and Sat. 135 Pearl Street Burlington,VT (802) 863-2343 forcefully remove him while other protest- ers shouted loud, angry statements Wheatley was dragged with alleged rough ness from the gallery. Senate business was halted. Specifil violent acts against protesters that wen seen by many witnesses include the stomp ing on Ray Drew as he was lying on the floor, and the pushing of David Brillhan down several steps thatresulted in a bruise ankle. At least seven protesters sough medical assistance for their injuries. Othi protesters reported verbal harassment Activist Joseph Perrson said he was calla “fucking scum fag” by a court officer. Capitol Police and State House officer refused to respond to questions from GCl either during or after the protest. The B05 ton Globe reported that Senate Chief Cour Officer George Danielson said he did no think excessive force had been used by hi staff. Danielson himself was repeatedly verbally abusive to protesters. On the day after the demonstration, Danielson arbi trarily refused to let gay men and lesbian into the Senate viewing gallery, whichi supposed to be public space open toil people. After the protest, lesbian/gay right activists and supporters expressed tliei determination to pursue legal actioi against law enforcement officers. El plained Wall, “We exposed specific injus tices against gay men and lesbians. Vi want to make it politically damagingfi senators, who watched all the vio1ence,I do nothing about it. Our purpose was! draw attention to the fact that gay an lesbian rights aren’t happening.” Wall, who claimed he was bange around roughly and called “faggot this an faggot that” during his arrest, said, “It wi very gratifying to be inside the gallery at hear the crowd demonstrating outsidei felt like the State House was under siege James R.Morgan ACSW csw Clinical Social Worker Individual, Couples, Family and Group Therapy By Appointment 186 College St. #202 Burlington, VT 0540i (802) 864-9101 12