Peace Women, Convicted of Trespassing, Teach the US Government a Lesson in Diplomacy

So as soon as the court adjourned, we immediately returned to the same US Mission to deliver the same petition.

This time, when we read our petition outside the building, no one threatened to arrest us. This time, when the same four women tried to get in the building, we were ushered in. This time, the two members of the US Mission staff, who only days before had testified against us, were now waiting cordially in the lobby to greet us. This time, they smiled and accepted our petition. No arrests. No hassle. No bad press for the Mission.

Perhaps this new lesson in diplomacy, coupled with the departure of Ambassador Bolton, can help nudge the US Mission onto a more diplomatic path. For CODEPINK, it only strengthens our resolve to promote non-violent conflict resolution, not war.