Gay Riders' West Point Charges Likely To Be Settled Before Trial

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
June 29, 2006 - 9:00 pm ET
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/06/062906ride.htm

(Middleton, New York) Members of the Equality Ride, arrested in April when they entered the grounds of West Point to protest "don't ask, don't tell", have been told by a federal judge he hopes trespassing charges can be resolved without going to trial.

Nevertheless, he told the young people from across the country to make themselves available on July 25th if a resolution cannot be reached.

Thirty-three protestors were arrested April 26 at the military academy. Twenty-one were from outside the area, the others were local residents who were supporting the Equality Ride.

Judge Martin Goldberg said he expected charges against the out-of-state would be settled without a trial, but it would be up to prosecutors to decide whether those from the Hudson Valley could be bound over for trial in July.

The Equality Ride was a 51 day cross-country trip organized by the nondenominational Soulforce to draw attention to schools that bar gay enrolment.

West Point had warned the riders prior to their arrival that hey risked arrest if they tried to enter the grounds and demonstrate. The group refused to agree to restrictions banning the carrying signs, handing out literature or making formal presentations.

West Point was the final stop in the Ride.;

Earlier this month a judge in Provo, Utah fined each of 21 riders $200 on trespassing charges relating to a protest at Brigham Young University. An additional eight protestors are expected to enter guilty pleas and receive similar fines.

Ten riders were arrested on the grounds of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

Riders also have been arrested at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, which is affiliated with Christian Broadcaster Pat Robertson.

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