Kent, OH – Four activists charged with misdemeanors for protesting the war on Iraq by occupying the Main St. bridge will appear in court May 8 at 8:15 a.m.

The Kent State Anti-War Committee is planning a campaign to have the charges dropped. Members plan to pack the courtroom with supporters, as well as hold a demonstration outside to defend the activists' right of expression.

For about two hours, starting around 2 p.m. on Sunday, a group of about 200 people occupied the bridge. Then, as the crowd dwindled, police wearing riot helmets ordered the protesters off the bridge.

Yvette Coil, a Kent State student and the wife of a disabled veteran, was injured during her arrest. When her hands were zip-tied together she suffered a pinched or lacerated nerve. She was released soon after her arrest to seek medical treatment. She is waiting to see if feeling comes back in her hand.

Following the arrests, the remaining demonstrators marched to the police station. They raised over $1000 in three hours to bail out their comrades.

Two of those charged, Yvette Coil and Aaron Brooks, are members of KSAWC.

In 2005, KSAWC launched a successful campaign to prevent the possible expulsion of Iraq veteran Dave Airhart. The campaign attracted the support of Cindy Sheehan and Howard Zinn, among others.