Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell sit-in activists go to court
Today’s press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Matt Hill Comer
Soulforce Right to Serve Campaign
City Organizer – Greensboro, NC
336-391-9528
matt.hill.comer@gmail.com
http://www.soulforce.org
http://www.righttoserve.org
‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ sit-in activists pleased with court agreement
Greensboro, NC, November 20, 2006 — The nine Soulforce Right to Serve Campaign activists arrested during a sit-in after four youth attempted to enlist in the Army as proud, able-bodied, openly gay Americans on September 21, 2006, at the Army Recruiting Center in Greensboro attended their scheduled court appearance this morning in Guilford County District Court. The eight youth and one adult supporter were charged with Class 2 misdemeanor trespassing and were originally scheduled to appear on October 23, 2006, but the matter was then postponed for a month.
Soulforce activists Jessica Arvidson, Alex Barbato, Matt Hill Comer, Cris Elkins, Jacquelyn Hernandez, Danielle Hoffman, Leslie Hughes, Alex Nini, and Caitlin Stroud each signed statements agreeing to not break any laws and not to return to the Army Recruiting Center for 90 days. District Attorney Doug Henderson has agreed to drop all charges after 90 days if the nine activists uphold their court agreement. The nine activists were represented by Greensboro attorney, Samuel Johnson. The Honorable Susan Bray was the presiding judge.
“We are extremely happy and grateful that Guilford County District Attorney Doug Henderson has been willing to recognize the right of citizens to challenge the actions of its government in non-violence and civil disobedience,” said Soulforce City Organizer Matt Hill Comer, “We thank District Attorney Henderson for recognizing the commitment these youth and supporters made in honoring the great American tradition of change through non-violent, civil disobedience, as set by four brave and committed NC A&T State University students right here in our own City of Greensboro more than forty years ago.”
The Soulforce Right to Serve Campaign is a national effort this fall in which openly gay, lesbian and bisexual youth in 30 cities across the country are answering the call to duty and challenging the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
In Greensboro, four youth attempted to enlist as openly gay Americans and were turned away because of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. The nine activists staged a sit-in which attracted extensive local, state-wide and some national media and press coverage.
Activists across the nation and in Greensboro are hopeful that the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy might be repealed when the Democrat-controlled Congress takes power in January. U.S. House Representative Marty Meehan has promised to re-introduce the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which would repeal the discriminatory law.
For questions or further comments: contact:
Matt Hill Comer, 336-391-9528, matt.hill.comer@gmail.com
Matt, 22, is an LGBT journalist, activist and youth advocate currently living and working in Charlotte, N.C., where he serves as the Editor of Q-Notes, the Carolinas' LGBT news source. A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Matt attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is still continuing to pursue his bachelors degree. He is the Owner & Editor of InterstateQ.com and has been active in LGBT advocacy work since the age of 14.
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