Mequon -- When Karl Rove came to Mequon to promote his new book at Next Chapter Bookstore on Sunday, May 23rd, Mequon area activist family Natalia Hacerola, Isaac Hacerola, and Anne Aiello staged a citizens arrest, dangling handcuffs and an arrest warrant in front of Mr. Rove and demanding accountability and justice for the lies Rove told the American people during his time with the Bush Administration.  Immediately before throwing the arrest warrant on the ground, Rove asked the activists why the handcuffs were plastic and Natalia replied, "It's safer that way."  These activists and many concerned citizens feel they will be safer when Rove is tried for his crimes and behind bars.  

The activists were with CODEPINK, and are all related; Natalia and Isaac are married and Anne is Natalia's sister.  This midwest American family had enough of the lies and wars waged in their name, and thus took action on Sunday.  They were escorted out of the store and proceeded to hold an outside vigil with a large pink banner, alongside Tea Party supporters who were there to support Rove.  The two groups engaged in a dialogue in a video posted on the CODEPINK YouTube site.  See a video of the arrest at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS5Nr1_uGeg  More videos will be posted soon at the same account.  CODEPINK members have staged citizen arrests of Karl Rove and other war criminals across the country, and Rove's tour has been dubbed my many outlets as the "Rove/CODEPINK Tour".  Previous actions can be found here: http://www.codepink.org/arrestrove

 “We are demanding accountability from Karl Rove who lied to get us into the war and outed C.I.A. agent Valerie Plame,” CODEPINK Co-Founder Jodie Evans, has said. “If law enforcement and Congress won't do it, we the American people will!”

CODEPINK, founded in 2002, is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into health care, education and other life-affirming activities. We reject the Bush administration's fear-based politics that justify violence, and instead call for policies based on compassion, kindness and a commitment to international law. With an emphasis on joy and humor, CODEPINK women and men seek to activate, amplify and inspire a community of peacemakers through creative campaigns and a commitment to non-violence.  For more info, visit www.codepinkalert.org.

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