“What do we want? PEACE! When do we want it? NOW!” sophomore Lucas Jolivet shouted with a crowd of an estimated 100,000 people as they marched shoulder to shoulder down the eight lanes of Pennsylvania Avenue. On Saturday, September 15, people from all over the country met at the White House and marched to the Capitol in protest of the war in Iraq. This demonstration was led by antiwar Iraq veterans and military families. As marchers passed each block, more and more police officers could be seen lining the streets.

Protesters only had permits until the Capitol’s south lawn. There, Iraq veterans conducted a mass civil disobedience die-in to memorialize the veterans and civilians that have been killed in the war. A 21-Gun salute initiated this die-in, where 5,000 people surrounding the Capitol fell to the ground to symbolize the fallen.

One hundred ninety-seven people were arrested for jumping a barricade in an attempt to deliver an antiwar message to Congress. They did not have permits to protest on the steps of the Capitol. Sophomore Lucas Jolivet was one of four minors arrested. Around the beginning of the war, Jolivet’s mother worked as a nurse at the Walter Reed Medical Center.

“In 5th or 6th grade, I’d go into work with her and while she’d do the rounds, I’d wander the halls. I’d see a bunch of limbless kids, as in soldiers, lying in their beds” said Jolivet, moving his lanky arms vigorously. “They had so many injured that people would get sent to ratty hotels across the street.”

These images stuck with Jolivet.

“I’m against the war in Iraq. I’ve been to about five rallies since before the war started. They’ve been getting smaller and smaller because people are giving up. But the people staying are more passionate, more furious,” said Jolivet.

Jolivet had gone to the march with junior Jamie DeArmon and two friends from outside of school. One friend, Grady, had decided to jump the barricade with him, but backed off at the last minute.

“I went to the march without the intention of getting arrested,” said Jolivet. “But somewhere along the way, I figured today would be a good day to get arrested. Honestly, I don’t feel like anyone is listening; that’s why I thought the die-in would be more effective.”

“I saw an eighty-four year old woman jump the fence, then I emptied my pockets of all my worldly possessions and jumped too,” said Jolivet, smiling, his cheeks slightly flushed contrasting with his fare skin and shaggy jet-black hair. Jolivet was immediately forced to the ground by the cops and put his hands behind his head so that he would not get clubbed. Officers put a knee to his back and put him in restraints.

“They were spraying everyone around me with mace; I could taste it,” recalled Jolivet.

Protesters behind the barricade were yelling loudly and throwing dirt at the officers. Signs that just minutes before had been used for peaceful protest were now being chucked across the barricade in anger.

“I wasn’t scared because I knew the consequences of my actions. [The police] weren’t going to hurt me if I remained docile, and if they did, that wouldn’t look good for them,” said Jolivet.

“I was a little worried, but I knew he would know how to handle the situation and come out on top,” said DeArmon on Jolivet’s actions. Other protesters handed DeArmon a megaphone after Jolivet jumped so he was able to show support for his friend.

Minors cannot be processed with adults. While the others arrested piled into the Metro ride-on buses commissioned to transport them to jail, Jolivet was escorted up the front steps of the capital to the East side.

“It was me, a fourteen-year-old girl from DC, a seventeen-year-old boy from Northern Virginia, two other girls… but not Grady,” joked Jolivet.

Jolivet was taken in a squad car to a processing center on 67 K Street. This was one of the few centers police could take him because everywhere else had felons. By law, minors cannot be processed when in the presence of felons.

“I was charged with disorderly conduct. I was initiated and gave my statement [on October 1],” said Jolivet. “I dressed up in a suit, trying to look as proper as possible,” compared to his usual Chuck Taylor and tee style.

Originally, Jolivet’s hearing was scheduled for October 20th. After the hearing on October 1st, he thought it was going to get off with community service or an essay. On October 2nd, he received a phone call saying that he was acquitted of all charges.

“They’re sweeping everything off of my records and my prints won’t be able to be used,” said Jolivet.

“When a lot of people get arrested like that, it shows that there’s disgruntlement. The public is so upset to the level that they’re willing be get arrested. That spreads awareness,” said Jolivet.

As for his future plans of action: “I think I’m going to lay low for awhile,” said Jolivet. “I’m hoping that after the elections, changes will occur I won’t need to go to anymore protests, but there’s always some sort of political cause that needs a rally.”