A large number of Anti-Torture protesters invaded the Supreme Court on Friday wearing Orange jumpers that were meant to look like those worn by the prisoners at the military prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

45 members of the group, which is called Witnesses Against Torture, were arrested after they entered the Court's Great Hall and made considerable noise but were not violent.  Nobody resisted arrest, either.  The court was not presently in session when the protest occurred and the Justices had completed their private Conference.

Those who were arrested were charged with violating one of two federal laws.  The first is a ban on speeches and "loud, threatening, or abusive language" in the Court building or on its grounds, and applies to those arrested inside the building.  Those who were arrested outside were charged with the second, which is a ban on assemblages and display of flags in the building or on the grounds.

Those who were charged with violating either law may be jailed for up to 60 days, or fined, or both.

I wonder what effect this sort of protesting does.  How can judges possibly take the 45 people outside into consideration.  I believe they're well aware of the dangers of torture as standard practice without all the shouting.