Getting arrested isn’t for sissies
By Rebekah Paulson
I was arrested by Virginia Tech police for civil disobedience in Stadium Woods along with four other protesters in the rare old-growth urban forest on Oct. 12. We objected to vehicular parking on the root zones of the ancient trees, some of which are 400 years old, by football players, their two paid security guards and others working for the Tech Athletic Department.
We were criminally charged with “disorderly conduct” and face fines as well as jail time if convicted in Montgomery County General District Court on Dec. 13 (“Stadium Woods backers arrested during protest,” Roanoke Times front-page article, Oct. 13).
Paulson is executive director of The Friends of Stadium Woods. She lives in Blacksburg.
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Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time!
Comment by Jimmy — December 10, 2012 @ 8:05 pm
Last I checked staging a peaceful protest on state owned land was not against the law unless they were impeding traffic flow. Seeing as how a forest isn’t typically a traffic area I think arresting them was a little excessive.
Comment by Zac — December 12, 2012 @ 3:03 am
I am sitting here reading this, this, wining about getting arrested for doing something wrong? And the paper has the stupids to even print it? Sheesh, the world needs another crybaby like a hole in the head. Get a life! Realize that in the real world you don’t have the right to anything if you break the law! Really, you’re complaining about metal hand cuffs after you broke the law? You’re complaining because Tech, a State funded school doesn’t have the money to buy big roomy cars after you voted to put no new taxes in place? Hm, I see a double standard here. As long as it’s you you want comfort, but anyone else you want what you got? Grow up and join the real world. Nuff said.
Comment by Russ — December 13, 2012 @ 10:53 am
The crime is committed by the VA Tech administration for allowing the athletic dept to park vehicles on the roots of 400 year old ancient old-growth trees as if the woods are a parking lot. VA Tech has enough parking spaces in paved parking lots for the football players and others to park their vehicles. If you are so eager to comment use your last name Jimmy! And FYI we will not serve anytime nor do we consider our protest a crime.
Comment by Rebekah Paulson — December 13, 2012 @ 8:56 pm
You made a choice, an illegal choice.. The police were doing their job.. Opinions aside, you broke the law and should be treated like everyone else.
Comment by Diane — December 15, 2012 @ 10:27 pm