The State - News from Feb. 21, 1985

Nine of the 19 demonstrators arrested in the San Francisco federal building in a protest of American policies in Central America chose to spend five days in jail, and nine chose 16 hours of community service. The 19th demonstrator was cited and released. The protesters had stayed outside the building in an all-night vigil to express their opposition to U.S intervention in Nicaragua and El Salvador, according to group spokesman Ken Butigan. Shortly after the building was opened for the day, they entered carrying flags and banners. They then sat in a circle on the floor of the lobby, “obstructing the normal operations” of the government and “creating a disturbance,” according to Federal Protective Officer Charles Thomas.