113 Arrested in Protest Marking Killing of Priests : Demonstration: The downtown event, in memory of 6 Jesuits murdered a year ago in El Salvador, is loud but peaceful.

More than 100 demonstrators were arrested Friday in front of the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles during a noisy but peaceful protest marking the first anniversary of the murders of six Jesuit priests and two other people in El Salvador.

“Stop the killing! Stop the war! U.S. out of El Salvador!” they chanted as they were taken into custody for failing to disperse.

To attract more attention to the protest, organizers had said several celebrities who oppose U.S. involvement in Central America would take part in a 20-minute play. However, several actors known for their liberal politics, including Martin Sheen, Ed Asner and Robert Foxworth, failed to show up.

That did not stop the play or dampen the enthusiasm of the nearly 400 demonstrators, who judged the United States guilty in the Nov. 16, 1989, deaths with loud hoots of anger when asked by the play’s participants for their reaction to the “verdict.”

Some of the play’s actors were among the 113 arrested when they ignored orders to stop blocking the main entrance of the building in the 300 block of North Los Angeles Street.

Protesters accused Salvadoran President Alfredo Cristiani’s government not only of being involved in the Jesuits’ deaths but also of failing to vigorously prosecute army personnel suspected in the killings.

Witnesses said the priests were killed after a Salvadoran army unit swept through the campus of the University of Central America in San Salvador, El Salvador’s capital, where the churchmen were stationed. The priests’ cook, Elba Ramos, and her 15-year-old daughter, Celina, also were murdered.

Eight Salvadoran servicemen, including an army colonel, are under arrest in connection with the deaths but have yet to go to trial. A ninth soldier is being sought. The United States has protested the deaths and pressured the Salvadoran government to track down the killers.

Neither the Salvadoran consulate in Los Angeles nor the embassy in Washington would comment on the protest.

The Los Angeles demonstration, organized by the Wednesday Morning Coalition for Peace and Justice in Central America and the U.S., was one of several staged nationwide to mark the anniversary of the Jesuits’ deaths.

In New York City, 48 people were arrested after a group of 150 demonstrators blocked the entrance of El Salvador’s mission to the United Nations.

Police in San Francisco arrested 20 demonstrators, some of whom stormed the Salvadoran consulate and chained themselves to office furniture.

In San Salvador, 1,000 people took part in a torchlight procession in memory of the slain churchmen.

What the Los Angeles protest lacked in celebrity participants it more than made up in noise once the protesters assembled in front of the Federal Building at 8:30 a.m.

At times, protesters’ chants drowned out orders to disperse given by Lt. James Franklin of the Federal Protective Service, who used a bullhorn to be heard. The service is the agency empowered to protect most federal facilities.

“You are in an unlawful assembly,” Franklin began at one point.

But some within five feet of him later said they could not hear his commands.

“Shut it down! Shut it down!” screamed back the protesters, whose intent was to close down the building by blocking the main entrance. However, people were able to enter the building’s side entrances during the 3 1/2-hour demonstration.

Franklin, without his bullhorn, recited warnings to disperse to 113 individuals about to be arrested. Each time, his order was ignored.

After waiting a few moments to see that the protester would not obey, Franklin ordered the person’s arrest, which was videotaped.

Franklin’s voice was so strained by the continual shouting, he stopped for a few moments to drink water.

“It’s just one of those things,” said Franklin, a 15-year veteran of such protests at federal buildings.

The 113 arrested were cited for obstructing an entrance to a federal building. They were later released. A spokeswoman for the Federal Protective Service said fines could range up to $25.

During the play, demonstrators booed and hissed at actors who portrayed Cristiani and the Salvadoran soldiers who were on trial.