By By Sharon White/The Meridian Star
March 23, 2001
Law enforcement authorities showed no pity on people arrested Thursday at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus.
Hundreds of people went "straight to jail" when they could not produce the $250 "bail money" needed to secure their release. It was all part of Cardiac Arrest 2001, a fund-raiser sponsored by the American Heart Association, Rush Foundation Hospital and The Specialty Hospital of Meridian.
Speed said the money raised during Cardiac Arrest will go toward educating young people about the dangers of smoking and poor eating and exercise habits. The money will also further research efforts in Mississippi.
The event may have been fun, but heart disease is a serious matter, said Juanice Hardy, who came to bail out her daughter, Cindy Luther.
Hardy and her husband, Charlie, have experienced the trauma of open heart surgery first-hand and are thankful not to have been victims of Lauderdale County's No. 1 killer.
Donations to help get those charged Thursday out of "the slammer" will be accepted through next week. For more information, call Susan Speed at 485-5151.
Sharon White is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at swhite@themeridianstar.com.