Arnie Carter found “not guilty” of 3 of 4 charges stemming from December 3, 2023 Jewish Voice for Peace Civil Disobedience in support of a ceasefire, for an end to the U.S. supported Israeli genocide in Gaza

Arnie Carter being arrested – Civil Disobedience sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace. December 3, 2023. Jewish Voice for Peace’s Civil Disobedience, for a ceasefire, for an end of U.S. support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

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Interview with Press Conference: It’s the Biden Administration and Israel That Should Be On Trial, Not Arnie Carter (note – go to the July 11, 2024 interview)

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Denver Colorado. July 11, 2024

In a trial held in Denver’s Municipal Court, Civil Disobedience protestor, Merrill “Arnie” Carter, was found not guilty on three of four counts brought against him as a result of his participation in a civil disobedience organized by Front Range Jewish Voice for Peace on December 3, 2023 in downtown Denver. There protesters blocked a main thoroughfare – the corner of Speer Blvd and Champa Street.

Those involved were protesting in support of an immediate permanent ceasefire, an end to the U.S. funded, armed and politically supported Israeli genocide against Gaza Palestinians as well as expressing protest to the holding of a national meeting of the Jewish National Fund in Denver, Colorado. 15 people were arrested as a result, 14 of whom agreed to plea deals with the city of Denver. Arnie Carter, insisting that “it is the Biden and Netanyahu Administrations that should be on trial, not me” insisted for a jury trial.

That trial took place on July 11-12, 2024. The city coughed up four witnesses to testify for the prosecution, the defense only called one, Arnie Carter, himself. Carter was represented pro bonoby Tyrone Glover Law.

I was in the courtroom late in the afternoon of July 11th when Arnie Carter gave testimony. As he commented:

Civil Disobedience is as American as apple pie.

The children of Gaza are burning

I was watching, listening to, reading about civilians (in Gaza) being  slaughtered, children bombed to bits, hospitals and schools targeted, food being withheld as a weapon of war ..

Concered friends met locally with members of Congress, protested legally trying to end the genocide, the murder of Palestinian people. None of our legal efforts failed so we took to the streets to protest.

I am not a leader or an organizer; I’m just an old man who felt a need to care for, be part of these young Jewish folk supporting justice for Palestine.Who hurts one of us, hurts all of us.

We take care of each other. It’s our duty to stand up for each other, to support those in need like the Palestinians in Gaza.

Apparently for the most part, the jury of six agreed with Arnie’s explanation as they found him innocent of three of the four charges. The Colorado Palestine Coalition and Jewish Voice for Peace considered the verdict a victory for free speech itself and a political defeat for the city of Denver which pursued the prosecution.

Having accomplished its mission the Arnie Carter Defense Committee dissolved. But Arnie and a few friends intend to build on this victory to support the more than 40 protesters who were arrested for refusing to leave an encampment on the Auraria Campus (which houses the University of Colorado Denver, Metroopolitan State University and Community College of Denver).

Their trials are scheduled over the next few months.

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