The Darien Times

Occupy Darien organizer arrested for breach of peace, other charges Friday

Last Updated on Friday, January 06, 2012 06:45 PM Written by Susan Shultz
Friday, January 06, 2012 04:17 PM

UPDATE Friday 5:41 PM — The Darien Police Department issued a press release this evening regarding the arrest of Margaret Rague.

Police said the arrest was tied to an incident on Dec. 14  at a restaurant in Darien, Papa Joe's. No further details were given.

During Rague's processing she also refused to be fingerprinted and was additionally charged with that.

Rague was able to post the $5,000 bond and was released.

5:17 PM — The organizer of Occupy Darien was arrested for the second time Friday after reporting to the Darien Police Station.

Margaret Rague turned herself into the Darien Police Friday afternoon accompanied by her attorney Mark Sherman (Kristen Riolo photo).

Rague was charged with breach of  peace, interference with a police investigation and resisting arrest. The date, details or location of the events leading to the arrest were unknown as of Friday.

"It is no coincidence that these charges came on the heels of the 'Occupy' demonstration," Sherman told the Darien Times.

"This was a very stressful time for everyone," Sherman said.

"We're looking forward to resolving these cases in court," he said.

Rague, who organized a two-day Occupy Darien protest that was sparsely attended shortly before Christmas, was also arrested earlier in December for breaching the peace, disorderly conduct and other charges. She was due to return to court on those charges early next week.

Earlier this week, Rague took to the Occupy Darien Facebook page to vent about what she called her second “false arrest” by the Darien Police, blaming her Occupy Darien involvement.

“Imagine this, no arrest by the Darien Police for 23 years, where I have peacefully resided in this town. I organize Occupy Darien and they arrest me twice,” she wrote.

Rague said the police told her the second arrest would be related to a refusal of medical services despite her clean bill of health from the doctor.

There was no specific date or time mentioned in the Facebook post.

Rague also said the second arrest involved her being “manacled” in front by police, being forced onto a stretcher and her body being cinched with belts. She also said her "painfully athritic fingers" make it impossible to fingerprint her.

Sherman confirmed Rague has a medically documented disability in her hands that makes fingerprinting an issue.

The next court date for this arrest is Monday, Jan. 16.  Rague is due in court Monday, Jan. 9 for her previous arrest.

sshultz@darientimes.com

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