Iolani Protesters Convicted Of Criminal Trespassing

Nanea Kalani/Civil Beat

UPDATED 1/19/12 7 p.m.

Six Hawaiian sovereignty demonstrators who were part of a larger group that forced the closure of Iolani Palace during APEC were found guilty of trespassing Thursday and ordered to stay away from the palace for six months. They also were fined $500 for the petty misdemeanor charge.

Honolulu Judge Dean Ochiai, who began hearing the case last week, imposed the sentences soon after closing arguments ended.

The six had been arrested along with 17 others — all members of the self-proclaimed Aupuni O Ko Hawaii Pae Aina/Hawaiian Kingdom Government — for refusing to leave palace grounds after hours on Nov. 7. The defendants had argued at their arraignments that they were not U.S. citizens, but "living sovereigns" of the kingdom of Hawaii.

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