Susan Crane
1301 Moreland Ave
Baltimore, MD 21216
Defendant, Pro Se

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
USA
V
Susan Crane

NO. P0571602

Motion for Dismissal of Prosecution

On April 18, 2007, along with other peacemakers, defendant stood in front of the White House to protest the illegal use of torture by the US government. Defendant used symbolic speech by wearing an orange jump suit and black hood (as prisoners are forced to wear) and chaining herself to the White House fence.

The prisoners at Guantanamo are chained because of the policies of this administration, and they are, in essence, chained by the White House. Defendants were making that connection visible.

Defendant asks this Court to dismiss this prosecution because they were engaged in non-violent legally protected protest against illegal torture.

The reasons for this request for dismissal of the prosecution are the following:
1. Torture is illegal under U.S. and International Law;

2. Despite its illegality, the U.S. has an extensive history of use of torture in interrogations and intelligence gathering before September 11, 2001;

3. After September 11, 2001, the U.S. has tried politically to redefine torture to allow torture in interrogations and intelligence gathering;

4. After September 11, 2001, the U.S. has tried politically to redefine who are prisoners of war to allow the use of torture in interrogations and intelligence gathering;

5. After September 11, 2001, the U.S. has used torture in interrogations and intelligence gathering at Guantanamo, Afghanistan and Iraq;

Legal doctrines protect non-violent protest against the illegal use of torture and this prosecution should be dismissed.

A fuller explanation for these reasons is included in the accompanying memorandum in support of this motion to dismiss this prosecution.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Crane
1301 Moreland Ave
Baltimore, MD 21216
July 8, 2007