Bichsel

I. BACKGROUND

Father Bichsel, a Jesuit priest, chained himself to the doors of the courthouse on March 19, 2003, in protest of the impending Iraq war. Father Bichsel came to the courthouse with nineteen members of the Catholic community, who engaged in a prayer vigil and represented Iraqi women hold- ing children. Father Bichsel felt that he and his fellow protest- ers “were doing a citizens’ arrest of the United States government.”

Federal Protective Service (“FPS”) officer Richard Reilley (“Officer Reilley”), dressed in full uniform with a badge and the insignia of the FPS, approached Father Bichsel at approxi- mately 6:30 a.m. that morning. Officer Reilley ascertained that Father Bichsel was blocking an emergency exit, which created a safety hazard for employees within the courthouse. Furthermore, Officer Reilley was concerned that Father Bich- sel could be injured and the courthouse doors could be dam- aged.

Officer Reilley told Father Bichsel that he “had to take the chains off” so that the courthouse doors could be opened. Father Bichsel refused. Officer Reilley informed Father Bich- sel that he had five minutes to unchain himself — otherwise, he would be arrested.…