WAVE 3 - Louisville, KYPeace Activists Continue Weekly Protests At Anne Northup's Home

Peace Activists Continue Weekly Protests At Anne Northup's Home

By Connie Leonard 

(LOUISVILLE) -- Free speech or harassment? That's the debate in St. Matthews as some residents and church members complain they're fed up with about a dozen anti-war protestors who have staged public demonstrations in the neighborhood on Sunday mornings.  As WAVE 3 Investigator Connie Leonard reports like it or not, Northup may be the ultimate example of "bringing your work home with you!"

At the corner of Lexington Road and Cannons Lane, Sunday service at Holy Spirit church just hasn't been the same.

For 82 straight weeks, and several Sundays every month since, anti war activists display their devotion to the cause and their distaste for Congresswoman Anne Northup by camping out right in front of her well known St. Matthews home, which happens to be across from the church she attends.

"It's probably two or three years ago that they started," Northup said.

One of the protestors, Carol Trainer, admits that "we're like regulars here at Anne's house."

Northup says she believes in the right to free speech, but when it comes to her parish, it's gone too far.

"We think she needs to be made uncomfortable," said another activist.

The two activists who agreed to speak with us represent the Louisville Peace Action Community and the Feminist Peace Network.

But the situation was anything but peaceful during one demonstration, with drivers honking loudly to show their support or express their anger.

"I have been flipped off," said one protestor."I have been almost run off the road."

The activists contend that Northup's weekend family time isn't sacred and neither is the church she attends.

"We feel the need to speak truth to power, not only to Anne in front of her house, but to the people in church."

Even Mother's Day wasn't off limits.

"I'm a mother too," Trainer said, "and I'm out here because I believe in the cause."

Northup says her family also bears the brunt of the demonstrators' zeal. "They yell at my children, if I ever have to leave, they'll be screaming things at me or my husband."

Officials at Holy Spirit tell us reaction is mixed among parishioners. Some believe demonstrators have the right to protest, while others say it's not the right place or time.

"I don't think they should do it front of her home," said parishioner Mary Stuart. "This is family. She has children. I don't think it's appropriate."

Tim Burton, a war veteran, says "it's a matter of freedom of speech. That's what their rights are for."

Other parishioners, like Jim Graven, say it's simply harrassment. "If they've got a problem with Anne, go to Washington or go to her campaign headquarters, not her residence, and not in front of a church -- it disrupts the whole Sunday morning. You've got those idiots out here. It's very disruptive."

"This particular group of protestors has never demonstrated in front of the campaign office," said Northup's campaign manager, Patrick Neely.

Demonstrators told us they have been to the campaign office, but say "there's no visibility there."

When we headed to Northup's campaign headquarters off Shelbyville Road, it seemed like it was in a pretty high-traffic area.

We asked activists why they hadn't taken their message on a road trip to Senator Jim Bunning's home or to the more secluded Louisville home of Senator Mitch McConnell, one of the most powerful Republicans in Washington and an outspoken Bush supporter.

"Some of us know where they live," Trainer said, adding: "We just haven't been to their homes yet.... Anne's our local representative, we think this is the one that makes the difference."

When we pointed out that Senator McConnell is also our local representative, Trainer replied: "Yes, well," then stopped and nodded her head.

Activists say it really goes back to 2004 when they requested a meeting and Northup refused until the Courier Journal ran an editorial suggesting she meet with them. Northup then fired back a letter complaining about the protestors' rude and harassing phone calls, but then agreed to meet.  

But she says says that meeting was less than cordial. "At one point, I said 'I'm glad to have you here at my office,' and they all sort of yelled: 'It's not your office, it's our office!'"

Northup maintains the activists are more concerned about politics than war, and says her concerns on Sunday mornings will remain where they have always been.

"I'm a wife and I'm a mother," Northup said. "That's what I am in my head and that's what I am in my home."

A website maintained by the activists encourages members to speak up and be courageous. But the people we were told are the actual organizers of the demonstration refused to speak with us.

That surprised UofL Political Science Professor Dr. Laurie Rhodebeck, who says activists usually seek out media attention. She finds the demonstration unusually personal, and says she's never heard of any other member of Congress who ha been subjected to such a protest at their home for such a long period of time.

Online Reporter: Connie Leonard

Online Producer: Michael Dever