August 11, 2008, Fort McCoy, WIS – Thirteen people who are part of a 450-mile walk protesting the war in Iraq were arrested Sunday at Fort McCoy, protest organizers said.
Security personnel prevented protesters with the Witness Against War project from entering the base, protest organizers said, and the 13 were arrested on trespassing charges. The protesters had hoped to talk with National Guard and Army Reserve members about the Iraq war.
All 13 were released by 3 p.m. Sunday, organizers said, except Kathy Kelly who is being held at the Monroe County Jail on charges related to prior peace activities.
The war protesters left July 21 from Chicago and plan to reach St. Paul on Aug. 31, the day before the start of the Republican National Conven-tion. They plan to arrive in La Crosse on Wednesday and host a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the La Crosse Public Library, 800 Main St.
