This report/announcement was posted to After Downing street.org, October 3, 2009
Toby, Jimminywinks and I rolled up to 1126 Old Chain Bridge Road this afternoon (Friday). ... While this is a beautiful, green, rural area of McLean, Virginia, the Cheney house is rather ugly compared to the homes surrounding it. As we were walking toward the house we met a neighbor, a young woman walking her dog. She told us that Cheney was at the house, recuperating from back surgery. I don't know if that's actually the case, but it made our adventure much more exciting.
We took turns dressing up in a black and white striped prison suit and Cheney bobble-head, and holding a sign saying "Arrest Me for Torture". We had another sign saying "Arrest Cheney For Torture". We chalked the street in front of his house with "Torture is NEVER legal. Arrest Cheney."
Attached are some photos taken by the wonderful young woman who is Cheney's neighbor. She told us she'd probably join us on Sunday when we're back at Cheney's house. She was very supportive of us. In fact, most of the people who passed us in their cars gave us a thumbs up, waved, and one even clapped. But one gentleman, walking a very handsome dog, told us we were on private property and breaking the law. Toby said "Cheney broke the law by approving torture", but our antagonist insisted that our violation of the law of private property was by far the more serious crime.
After about an hour we decided to call it quits for the day, and as we were gathering our things and leaving I saw a car next to Cheney's house start down the driveway toward us. We got to our car and I looked back to see the other car stopped right in front of the chalked message, where it remained for about five minutes. It then started toward our car and stopped again. I couldn't tell for sure, but the driver was likely taking pictures of us and the car.
Yesterday I called the McLean, VA, police department to let them know I was going to vigil in front of Cheney's house. They said that wasn't their jurisdiction -- that I should talk to the U.S. Secret Service, so I called them next. I had several conversations with a man named Wiley, explaining who I was, giving my contact information, and what I planned to do. He asked me why I was going to Cheney's house and I told him that I want to call attention to the former Vice President's crimes, and that I want Cheney prosecuted for the torture carried out in my name. I assured him that I wasn't interested in harassing Cheney -- just that I want the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute Cheney.
We felt elated after being at Cheney's. Will this attention to Cheney make a difference? Will it help lead to his prosecution? I don't know what will accomplish that, but I'm going to be back this Sunday at noon and I hope to camp overnight. I want to invite you to join me there. Dogs and children are especially welcome to come. As added enticements, Ray McGovern and David Swanson may join us on Sunday, and refreshments will be provided.
Click here for a map of Old Chain Bridge Road in McLean
Comments