"O.k.!" the sheriff called, "Start bringing them out!"
The deputies walked up to the first tents and ordered the people to get up and come out. The people simply sat on the ground. The deputies ordered again but the people STILL wouldn't move.
"They won't get up!" one of the deputies called to the sheriff.
"Then physically remove them!" the sheriff ordered.
The deputies went into the tents and picked the first four people up, carried them outside, sat them down and ordered them to proceed to the buses. The people simply remained seated on the ground.
"They won't go to the buses!" the deputy called.
The sheriff shook his head. The protesters were going to make this just as hard as they possibly could.
"Carry them to the buses!" the sheriff ordered.
The first bus was filled. "All right!" the sheriff called, "I'm taking this lot in. Continue to clear them. Deputy Fife, you're in charge here while I'm gone."
The sheriff rode on the bus with the first group. A young girl as dark as coal sat beside another with profound Asian features. Behind them was a blonde, blue-eyed girl. Not far away was a young man who was obviously Native American.
What was it The Spiritists say? "Our children are in every nation, in every world. They are every hue, they are every language. Hurt any one of them and you hurt me."
As they got to the courthouse the defiance continued. The people refused to get off the bus! The bailiffs had to help carry them into the holding cells.
When the judge was ready to have the first of them appear before him, they refused to walk in and had to be carried in. The judge was EXTREMELY annoyed. "This has gone far enough!" he insisted. "I want those in charge of this foolishness to instruct their people that once they are arrested they are to cooperate with the officers. Send that message to them IMMEDIATELY!"
The sheriff called up to the resort and asked the deputy to pass the message to Speaker White. The deputy's response a few minutes later made the sheriff grin.
"Well?" the judge asked.
"I'm sorry your honor," the sheriff announced with a grin, "there's ladies present here. I cannot repeat the Spiritists' response in their presence!"
"I SEE!" the judge growled. "Very well. Let's see how The Spiritist Church likes $100,000 fine a day until their people start acting in a reasonable manner! As for these individuals I charge them a $500 fine for disturbing the peace and resisting the county's officers. They may leave, but they are NOT to return to the vicinity of the resort. If they do I will charge them with contempt of court and imprison them.
Take these out and bring the next ones in. Let's speed up this procedure!"
"Your honor," A man spoke up from the crowd of onlookers, "I object. I am these people's legal representation. They will not accept your summary judgment. They demand a jury trial."
The judge looked extremely angry. "That would be a total waste of time and expense!" he complained.
"However," the lawyer answered, "it is their legal right, and if these peoples' legal rights are not observed I guarantee you, there will be hell to pay!"
"Are you threatening this court, sir?" the judge screamed.
"No!" the attorney answered. "I am merely making it quite clear that these peoples' rights WILL be observed fully and completely. Each will receive a seperate trial for the offense that they have committed according to the laws of this state. It is your LEGAL obligation to see that they get such hearings in as prompt a period of time as possible."
"INDIVIDUAL TRIALS?" the judge moaned. "for EACH of them?"
"That is THEIR LEGAL RIGHT!" the lawyer answered.
"You sir," the judge snapped, "are using legal rights to make things as difficult as possible in this situation. However, there is nothing legally I can do. I will abide by your wishes. IF the people once they are arrested, cooperate with the deputies."
"We will make no concesioins for our legal rights!" the lawyer answered.
The judge banged his hand on the bench. "Very well," he finally answered, "each individual will be granted a separate trial. I set bail in each case at $1,000. Sheriff, remove these individuals from my court."
"Your honor," the lawyer snapped, "my clients will pay no bail."
The judge again looked frustrated. "Very well!" he finally answered, "Sheriff take these individuals to the county jail. If they wish to remain the county's guests, they may!"
"Your honor," the sheriff remarked, "a word?"
The judge motioned him up to the bench. The sheriff climbed up beside hm, leaned over and whispered in his ear.