For Immediate Release                                           Contact:
January 17, 2006                                                Eric Verlo (719) 460-2836
9:00pm                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Christian PeaceMaker Team not welcome in Senator Allard's office

Colorado Springs, January 17, 2006 --
At noon on Tuesday, January 17, members of the Christian PeaceMaker Team and supportive citizens participated in the "SHINE THE LIGHT" campaign to recognize that hostage taking and abuse of detainees around the world by many groups and the U.S. military is unconscionable, marched from Camp Casey on north Nevada to the three congressional offices downtown.

After a uneventful and courteous visit to Congressman Hefley's office, the group of seven participants made their way to Senator Allard's office at 111 S. Tejon Street in the Plaza of the Rockies. After the elevator only went to the second floor, the group searched for a way to reach suite 300 on the floor above.

On the second floor of the Plaza of the Rockies the group was met by two gentlemen who eventually identified themselves as the chief of security, Larry, and the property manager. There the group was asked to leave the building. Efforts to inquire as to the whereabouts of Senator Allard's office were rebuffed stating, "he's not there."

The property manager initiated an argument and forcefully pushed his support for the legitimacy of the war in Iraq based on his interpretation of biblical principles, and at one point called the lead spokesman for the peaceful group, Christian PeaceMaker Team member, former judge, and member of the ACLU, Bill Durland, a "taliban" and threatened to call the police.

Repeatedly the group were told that they were on private property and that the building management could and would have them removed. Repeatedly the petitioners were refused directions to Senator Allard's office.

The group countered that the Senator's office could not be considered a private space, neither could the path from the front door to his office. Thus Allard has situated his office in a fortified location where you face the possibility of being charged with trespassing just to reach him. And it took quite a bit of persistence to finally get through.

The administrators identified a chief objection to the group's presence as the signs they were carrying, stating "Set The Captives Free" and "Release The PeaceMakers". The group offered to take the signs outside and did so, leaving the signs with Pat and Esther Kissamore outside the building.

After further ideological and biblical arguments against the mission of the Christian Peacemaker Team, the building administration officials offered to conduct the group to Allard's office on the condition that one participant remove his hood. Peter Sprunger-Froese was wearing an "Abu Ghraib" hood to make a statement about the captives. He was told that he had to remove it, and that he could put it back on once inside the senator's office. He did.

At the senator's office the group was greeted by Mr. Allard's assistant, who dismissed the property manager but insisted that the security manager stay in the office. Next she insisted that Peter remove his hood, for security reasons.

The group then proceeded to explain that it had come to urge Senator Allard to help secure the release of the four Christian PeaceMaker Team members being held hostage in Iraq since November 27.

During this constituent request, two police officers arrived with a building administration official. They walked past the reception area and stood just inside the next room and listened. After a few minutes another officer joined them. After another few minutes, a fourth police officer arrived.

The two building security administrators attended the meeting with Senator Allard's assistant and the seven peaceful constituents.

The building security manager declined to name the administrator who had called the police. Senator Allard's assistant claimed that she was not responsible for having made the call.

At 2pm or so, after being allowed a constituent visit, the group was escorted down to the lobby.

The participants, Bill and Genie Durland, Peter and Mary Sprunger-Froese, Bill Sulzman, Jonathan Christiansen, and Eric Verlo, were appalled at the treatment they received in their attempt to address their concerns for the Christian humanitarians that have been held since November 27 in Iraq, and the discourteous manner in which they were received by the management of the Plaza of the Rockies. Contacts with Senator Allard have so far proved fruitless, and the police blotter entry for the disturbance call will be requested.


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