D.C. Peace and Justice Activist Faces up to 6 Months in Jail, Challenged Gen. Petraeus During September 2007 Hearing

Washington – Last September General David Petraeus sold the continued illegal and immoral war of Iraq to Congress, and they bought it. Washington, D.C. activist David Barrows was arrested for rising and speaking during Petraeus' testimony before a congressional hearing in order to bring attention to the general's lies and the possible expansion of the criminal war and occupation into Iran.

Barrows faces sentencing this Wednesday, April 23, at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 220 of D.C. Superior Court, 500 Indiana Avenue N.W.

On September 11, 2007 Barrows was arrested by the U.S. Capitol Police and charged with "Disrupting Congress." Earlier this month he had a jury trial in D.C. Judge Robert S. Rigsby's courtroom. After a two-day trial, the jury returned a guilty verdict and Barrows, an artist and a nonviolent peace and justice activist faces up to six months in prison.

"I continue to believe that we, the people, should not allow Congress to insulate itself from us, and that it's our duty to end this war and occupation," Barrows said. "When I spoke out, it was clear that General Petraeus was suggesting an expansion of the war into the nation of Iran; he was blaming problems in Iraq on its neighbor."

This month Congress is expected to pass an additional $170 billion more for the military occupations and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Judge Robert S. Rigsby is a reactivated colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.