Carol Coakley's Statement in Court re Her Arrest for Civil Disobedience Against the War

I am thankful to be living in a country with free speech. But I do not forget the one or two billion people in the world who live in poverty and cannot even dream of free speech. Though I appreciate my freedoms and comfort here in America, it does does not mean I am blind to her flaws. I cannot fully enjoy my freedom and comfort knowing that my government’s action is contributing to the world’s suffering.

My father and my brother were in the military – one in a good war, the other a bad war. I saw my father’s pride in having fought the Nazi’s and my brother’s disillusionment with Vietnam. They taught me that freedom is precious, that it did not come cheaply, that we make mistakes, and that freedom will not survive without constant vigilance.

I was against this war from the beginning: I have done everything from signing petitions, organizing public conversations, and working to get good candidates elected to public office. I have cried from grief and raged with anger, but knowing that violence begets violence, I have tried to act in a peaceful lawful way, and to respect those who feel differently about this war. Until the evening of Jan. 10th.

I thought of the soldiers we’ve sent into the hell of war and the innocent victims of our invasion who are waiting for America to stop the madness and I saw this administration disregard the will of its own citizens and try to provoke a new war. When I hear a co-worker say “I can’t do anything to end this war”, I want to ask her, “Who do you think started the revolution for independence from King George, who fought for her right to vote, who fought for the 5 day work week, who ended segregation in this country?” They were ordinary Americans who spoke up, sometimes breaking laws, getting arrested, beaten or killed, then more people joined them, and eventually their radical ideas became popularly accepted fact. If we can’t end this war, who can?

As taxpayers, we have a right to ask some questions. Have we been able to take care of our own under this budget? Will we be able to take care of the veterans when they return home? Judge Singer, I imagine you could think of ways to spend some of the 10 billion* that Massachusetts has contributed toward this war - perhaps to fund day care and early intervention programs, treatment and rehabilitation centers? Will our war on terrorism succeed in ridding the world of people who hate us? We know it will take compassion and understanding. And what will be left of our society here at home?

I cannot know, with absolute certainty, that I am right. History and hindsight will answer that question better than those of us here now. But it cannot be said that I was silent, when I thought I saw evil. I am sorry to have had to take this courts time, but I hope, in some small way, that in the long run, it will help us all. I thank you, I plead no contest and I accept the court’s decision on my sentence. Stop this war and bring them home.