WASHINGTON, Jan 11 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Friday overturned Iraq war protester Cindy Sheehan's conviction for demonstrating without a permit on the White House sidewalk in 2005 and ordered a new trial. The unanimous three-judge panel ruled that Sheehan's conviction had been based on errors of law by the magistrate judge that eliminated the prosecutor's burden to show her criminal intent. Sheehan had been assessed a $50 fine and $25 administrative fee following the trial and conviction. On Sept. 26, 2005, Sheehan and four other members of an anti-war group approached the northwest gate of the White House and requested a meeting with President George W. Bush to discuss the Iraq war. After they were turned down, they walked a short distance and sat down on the White House sidewalk. By this time, more than 200 other people had assembled to protest the Iraq war. U.S. Park Police officers then instructed them to leave or face arrest. Sheehan was among those remaining on the sidewalk who were arrested and later convicted. Sheehan also argued that the National Park Service's regulations governing demonstrations near the White House are unconstitutional under the First Amendment right protecting freedom of speech and expression. The appeals court rejected that argument.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates (R) hosts an honor cordon to welcome Iraq's Defense Minister Abdel Qader Jassim to the Pentagon in Washington January 10, 2008. REUTERS/Hyungwon Kang (UNITED STATES) ...
