MITCH SNYDER 'PASS THE HAT, NOT THE PADDY WAGON'

After reading the article "Homeless Activists March on Capitol Hill" {Metro, Nov. 8} , I can't help wondering how Mitch Snyder and his Community of Creative Non-Violence (CCNV) activists are helping the homeless by allowing so many of themselves to be arrested. By the paper's account, 377 protesters were arrested and paid fines of $25 each to be released. By my calculations, this adds up to $9,425. If each of these "arrestees" chose not to be arrested, by using less demonstrative protest methods, and donated the anticipated fines to CCNV instead of the D.C. government, wouldn't this also make headlines and better help the homeless by providing them with much-needed food and clothing?

Come on, Mr. Snyder -- pass the hat instead of the paddy wagon.

NOLA SESSO

Owings, Md.

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