16th September 2000 After a flood of news coverage in the last two days(front page stories in both the Denver Post and Colorado Springs Gazette today) which promised to continue(CNN was trying to line something up), charges were dropped and Liz, Carol, Ardeth, Jackie and Ann were released from jail at about 8 PM this evening. An amazing turnaround in just 36 hours. The Rocky Mountain News and KRDO TV did interviews today and pressure continued to grow inside and outside the jail for this to be over with. The jail commander was in tears as he spoke to the sisters late this afternoon. Inmates in the jail were tearful as the five went down stairs for what they presumed was a transfer to federal authority perhaps. Outside the jail I personally witnessed warm hugs and personal good wishes from those returning to jail from their community work programs. Amazing stuff. All were released by order of judge Samuelson. Newsrooms received a release which said that all charges were dropped with a continuing investigation which might result in the re filing of misdemeanor charges in the future. Everyone will take some time to decide what to do next. Clearly the evil being confronted by Plowshares 2000 has not gone away. It has only temporarily ducked for cover, but for the moment the slate is clear in this one case. Stay tuned. Bill Sulzman
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