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US Activists Call for Release, Pardon of Iraq Shoe-Thrower
WASHINGTON - US activists on Monday urged Baghdad to release the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at US President George W. Bush, insisting that his gesture was meant to insult, not harm the US leader.
Zaidi is facing trial on charges that carry up to 15 years in jail. (AFP) "This was a form of insult... If he had wanted to hurt George Bush, he would have chosen a different weapon," Medea Benjamin of the Codepink peace activism group told AFP at a rally of about a dozen people outside the Iraqi consulate in Washington.
Zaidi, 29, threw his shoes at Bush during the US president's surprise visit to Iraq on December 14, an action considered a grave insult in the Arab world.
He is due to appear in court in Baghdad on Wednesday on charges of "aggression against a foreign head of state during an official visit," an offense which could see him go to jail for up to 15 years.
Handing down a stiff sentence to Zaidi would "fan the flames of anti-Americanism," said Benjamin of Codepink, founded by US women in 2002.
"This should be seen as a non-violent act of civil disobedience which, as Bush said, happens in a democratic society. If indeed that is the case, then he should be pardoned."
The protesters tried to hand-deliver a petition for Zaidi's release to the Iraqi ambassador to Washington, but "there was nobody at the embassy to receive us," Benjamin said.
The court could convict Zaidi of "attempted aggression," a lesser charge which carries a prison term of one to five years, but the US protesters insisted he should be pardoned.
"We want the Iraqi government and the world to know that there is a very good sentiment for him to be set free," said Nick Mottern, director of Consumers for Peace.
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8 Comments so far
Show AllIs there a petition?
Zaidi for President!
Pardoned for what? Insulting the idiot who was responsible for a million deaths and wrecked his country? Instead, all the other attendees should have been charged with giving comfort to a psychopathic monkey; and if there is no such crime, well, just make one up after 'interrogating' them in Abu Grahib for five years.
By all means let the man go! Plead "temporary insanity" or whatever. I'd be insane if my country were attacked for no reason, a million people killed, friends and family slaughtered, young girls raped and killed, the country's natural resource -- oil -- stolen, etc.
What's a couple of shoes anyway? The war criminal Chimp ducked and didn't get hurt; he's probably used to it anyway. He even made a joke about it afterwards. It looked like he enjoyed it, and he said he never felt threatened. The man already had his bones broken and eyes hurt by Bush's security guards!
There is a Facebook group called "Free Muntader al-Zaidi" showing support for his freedom. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=61837982904
If Muntadar al-Zaidi doesn't deserve a Presidential Medal of Freedom, I don't know who does.
· Yr Obd't Servant
Pardoned for what? Bad aim?
Zaidi should be charged with something like disorderly conduct, given a small fine and released. Anything beyond that is barbaric and will do nothing except create yet another martyr for the various Islamic militants.
Dump_Bush, I agree with you. Disorderly conduct or simple assault, both misdemeanors, would fill the bill. It's fine to punish unruly behavior, but heavy-handed to treat him like an assassin. Considering that Bush has been hurling cluster bombs at civilians for 7 years now, and that he's unlikely to face any consequences more onerous than having to dodge poorly-aimed footwear, it's perverse that the man is being charged at all.
Alex