Biography
Ellen Thomas is an anti-nuclear activist associated with the White House Peace Vigil and Proposition One. She challenged restrictions on the vigil in Lafayette Park and served a jail sentence in the camping case she appealed with William Thomas.
Two separate camping prosecutions
The March 1987 camping case received a thirty-day sentence on March 2, 1988; the existing year-only sentencing date is now replaced by that exact day. A separate case arising from the December 22, 1986 citation is added: the defense appellate filing records conviction on December 15, 1987 and a fifty-day sentence with a $25 assessment on January 28, 1988. The dates and sentence lengths are not interchangeable. Citation, sentencing and transfer dates do not automatically establish arrest, prison admission or release. No fifty-day served counter or guessed discharge is added. A contemporary letter places Ellen at Lexington before her return to court for the later sentence, but does not establish her original admission day.
Sources: Defense appellate brief, Cr. No. 87-0062, statement of proceedings; Government appellate brief, Cr. No. 87-0231, distinct March 1987 activity; Winifred Gallant, contemporary Washington Post letter, March 27, 1988, distinguishing January 28 and March 2 sentences. Copies retained by the participants' Proposition One archive.
