ustice
By Angela Swagler (‘12)
arresting me? Officer why are you arresting me?” But Trooper Neighoff refused to answer and she fell silent when he left her on the guard rail and began arresting others. When they took me away, I was holding a sign that said “Jesus Forgives and Heals.” The officers placed all of us along the guard rail and began handcuffing us. A helicopter flew above us and Joanie Walsh later said that one of her high school teachers saw her on the news. A number of pro-choicers jeered at us as they drove by and my friend Laura Beeson began crying because the handcuffs we’re on so tight that they cut off her circulation. Despite that, none of the officers loosened it for her at that point and time.
and he slammed the door shut. I turned around to see what the rest of the general prison population looked like and a saw one disheveled and tattooed woman before me. During our time in the cell, she pretty much confessed her entire life to me and said that she had been here awhile and she heard the police officers talking about us. She said that there was a group pro-lifers that they wanted to arrest, but they didn’t know under what charges. Eventually, we were joined by our group’s assistant Director, Joan Walsh, and Jessica Ward (‘12). Jess had tears in her eyes. When I met Joan and Beth at Christendom’s high school summer program the year before, I never could have imagined that we’d be in jail together a year later. I didn’t feel like I was in the United States of America, but rather in an oppressive regime, where tyranny reigned and citizens’ rights didn’t exist.
Now, it was around 2 am when Jess had entered. They called my name sometime afterward. I came out of the cell and a man that had previously mocked me and asked me if “God was with me,” led me and put shackles on my ankles. He put them on so tight. He said, “You’re so small, we’ll have to double it.” I From there the officers took us to the Police Barracks. They took said, “Officer, you’re hurting me.” He said, “Hah. You can’t run our mug shots and left us there, like Sgt. Bohlen said, to rot. They then.” So I dragged my feet across the floor. I believe that I had confiscated our cell phones bruises on my ankles because Angela with her friend Laura Beeson at the start of the Defend Life Tour. of it. It was so tight against and we were unsure how long we would be there. my skin and bones and hurt We kept up spirits though. so much—especially when I I took so much comfort moved. in the fact that it was the year of St. Paul – he is my He led me to the confirmation patron saint, commissioner. She was rude so I knew that he would and the officer sneered at me watch over us and intercede the entire time. She didn’t for us. In our time there, really explain anything we sang in prison like he and just told me to sign did and prayed together. at certain places. I made sure that I glanced over the At midnight, however, my papers before I penned my location was to change. I was the first girl from my group taken signature, but was unsure of how much I really gleaned. and after asking me some questions, they transferred me in the dead of night in an unmarked car to the Harford County She asked me where I lived. I had memorized my itinerary, so Detention Center. As I saw the barbed wire fence loom over me, I gave her the specific details. She told me that I shouldn’t have I asked the police officer if this is where they kept dangerous told her that. I asked her why. She mentioned because it was criminals. He said yes. I said, “Oh. Well, actually I’ve never so far away. She said that I would have to come to court on had detention or even been grounded before.” He was silent November 17th or be arrested again. My papers said that I would and took me inside. be given the maximum of 10 months – 60 days &/or $500.00 for DISORDERLY CONDUCT, 60 days &/or $500.00 for They confiscated my belongings again, took my fingerprints and FAIL OBEY RENBLE/LAWFL (Reasonable and Lawful Order), mug shot again, and continued with other procedures. After and 6 months &/or $1,000.00 for LOITERING. I found all that ordeal, the police officer began to lead me away. I asked the charges ridiculous but I kept my mouth shut in that regard. him if I was going to be placed with someone else. He laughed I told her that I would come. and said, “Oh you’ll be with someone else.” I was placed inside
Summer 2012
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