Granny-standing: 18 tried in war protest at Time Sq. recruit ctr.

NY Daily News
Apr. 22, 2006

Waving canes and white-knuckling their walkers, 18 unrepentant anti-war grannies nixed a plea deal yesterday before going on trial for rallying outside a Times Square recruiting station.

The women, all facing disorderly conduct charges in Manhattan Criminal Court, refused the last-minute deal in which prosecutors offered to dismiss the cases if they stayed out of trouble for six months.

The war in Iraq "is wrong as all getout! And we're against it, and we'll do whatever it takes, whatever we can do to stop it," Marie Runyon, 91, said, waving her cane before entering the courthouse.

Their attorney Norman Siegel said the aging agitators spurned the deal because "they felt they didn't do anything wrong." They face up to 15 days in jail if convicted of disorderly conduct in connection with the Oct. 17, 2005, rally, in which they sat in front of the station.

Police Officer Miguel Cruz identified Runyon when asked on cross-examination by defense attorney Earl Ward if anyone was blocking the door.

"I can tell you this one was," Cruz said, pointing at the silver-haired grandmother.

"Did you see her with her walker?" Ward asked.

"Yes," Cruz said.

Cruz also exchanged smiles with three of the women he had arrested. They giggled when he identified them in court. All 18 women are expected to testify.

As yesterday's procedure wore on, defiance gave way to naps for some of the grannies, many of whom wore black T-shirts with the slogan "We will not be silent."

Earlier, NYPD Lt. Kevin Lee said he twice ordered the women to disperse, but they refused.

"After the second order was issued, I then signaled my officers to move in, help the ladies up and take them into custody," he said.

He conceded they were cooperative, polite and pleasant as they were being arrested.

In opening statements in the nonjury trial before Judge Neil Ross, prosecutor Amy Miller said the case "is not about the war, it's about disorderly conduct" and blocking foot traffic.

Siegel said the women, calling themselves the Granny Peace Brigade, went to the recruiting center to enlist so that their grandchildren would not have to fight. But the door was locked, they said, so they sat. He denied they blocked the door.