FREE THE DUPAGE TWO

DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett should drop all charges against Jeff Zurawski and Sarah Hartfield for actions during their display of an anti-war sign May 6. There are many problems with this case, which has been unconscionably extended into its seventh month.

The facts do not warrant the charges of disorderly conduct, reckless conduct and unauthorized display of a sign. The case is a politically motivated attack on free speech and a waste of taxpayers' money during an economic downturn that is causing budget cuts and layoffs in DuPage County.

The hardest thing for a public official to do is admit mistakes. It was impossible for Birkett to admit mistakes in the high-profile death penalty case involving Rolando Cruz. The Zurawski-Hartfield case may pale in comparison to the damage done to Cruz and the continuing waste of money trying to put Brian Dugan to death for the crime the innocent Cruz was mistakenly earmarked to die for, but it is still important.

Birkett should stop wasting our tax dollars on this frivolous case and strike a blow for free speech. He should be a truly courageous prosecutor who is wise enough to admit a mistake and correct it. It will be a good thing for his legacy.

Originally published in Downers Grove Sun, December 27, 2007