Protesters charged with felony for disrupting Easter Mass in Chicago

Published: 2008-03-25

CHICAGO (CNS) -- Six young people -- all between the ages of 18 and 25 -- were charged with felony criminal defacement of property and simple battery after spattering fake blood on themselves and nearby worshippers during the 11 a.m. Easter Mass in the auditorium at Holy Name Cathedral's parish center in Chicago March 23. Easter Masses, the Easter Vigil and all Holy Week services were celebrated in the auditorium and other nearby locations because the cathedral has been closed for repairs since Feb. 26. On March 24 a Cook County judge set a minimum of $25,000 for bail for each protester, according to the Chicago Tribune, which also reported that if they are found guilty the six could be sentenced to up to five years in prison. The three men and three women, calling themselves "Catholic Schoolgirls Against the War," yelled slogans in support of ending the war in Iraq before they were removed by security guards and handcuffed by police. The Tribune reported that the six protesters were charged with a felony because they damaged property owned by a religious organization and it will cost the church about $3,000 for new carpeting and new chairs.

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