Update from Georgia - SOA Watch - Two CWers arrested at the end of the day......
Frank Cordaro
Conscience, risking extended federal prison time and fines. David
Omandi of the Los Angeles Catholic Worker and Christopher Spicer of
the White Rose Catholic Worker of Chicago took their witness to the
School of the Americas, after jumping over the first set of
barbed-wire fencing at the entrance to the base, and were immediately
detained by military police amidst cheers from supporters" excerpt
from below report.
Police Arrest Press at SOA Vigil 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TFp3rsJSTw&feature=player_embedded
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: SOA Watch <in...@soaw.org>
Date: Sun, Nov 21, 2010
Live from the courtroom:
We're rolling live from the Muscogee County Jailhouse, down by the
waters of the lovely Chattahoochee River!
Of the 26 arrestees from Saturday, there are still many being
arraigned at the courthouse, with the Columbus police trying hard to
make an example out of the defendants, in the hope of intimidating
them and preventing us from speaking truth to power. The arrested
peace activists and bystanders have been brought into the courtroom in
orange prison-issued clothing, some visibly shocked and frightened,
others arguing calmly in their defense.
We have verified that the Columbus police had at least five undercover
law enforcement officers, who attended the direct action meetings,
held signs at the rally, and were even arrested and kept in jail with
the other activists in a clear attempt to learn names and fabricate
stories.
However, we have an excellent legal team who are fighting hard against
the lies and keeping our spirits up. For years, our movement has
refused to be silent, and we continue to refuse to be silent now. We
don't want to leave anyone behind!
This is a moment for us to come together and fight impunity. Our fight
for the truth here in the cases against our sisters and brothers here
in Columbus is part of the fight against militarization, threats and
impunity in Latin America, represented by the School of the Americas.
The threats and repression taught at the School of Assassins in Ft.
Benning are being reproduced in the Columbus courthouse.
We also can't win this without you at your home, office, public
library or school. We ask you to continue to step forward and send us
your donations. Since we started the online plea, we have raised over
$18,000... but we need more. We encourage you to petition your
community networks, friends and family to raise more money for the
legal defense fund.
You can make online donations to the Legal Defense Fund here:
https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/727/t/10867/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=6830
Please note: if you were present during the arrests and have any audio
or video footage of the tapes, it is urgent that you send that
material to us at soawpr...@gmail.com.
_____________________
Background on the arrests and the annual Vigil to Close the SOA:
On Saturday, thousands converged at the gates of Ft. Benning, in the
annual vigil and rally to close the School of the Americas/WHINSEC.
Over the years since 9/11, under the pretext of "terrorism", it has
become increasingly more difficult for activists to engage in
non-violent civil disobedience, which has been a cornerstone of our
movement. Through fences, increased police presence, FBI pre-rally
consulation with local police forces, security cameras, searches and
in the past, metal detectors at vigil entrances, those who wish to
cross the line into the base have been prevented in doing so.
This year, some within our movement decided to accompany federal line
crossers to their place of crossing at a different entrance. When
activists tried to leave the "free speech zone", they were blocked by
police and only allowed to leave via the sidewalk. Many were simply
leaving to return to their hotels or homes. When the Puppetistas
followed the sidewalk towards the intersection of Victory Drive and
Ft. Benning Road, the Columbus police moved in to arrest the
Puppetistas, and began to arrest anyone, while also targeting various
journalists who were filming the repression. One local man was
arrested while taking pictures of the unfolding events.
Bail was initially set at up to $5,500 per person, with many people
being charged with several misdemeanors. This is still hindering a
quick release from jail, and was intended to intimidate activists.
Today, Sunday, we remembered the martyrs from across Latin America
with our traditional solemn funeral procession, chanting "Presente!"
after the names of SOA victims, including recent killings and
disappearances in Honduras and Mexico.
Two more young people joined the growing list of Prisoners of
Conscience, risking extended federal prison time and fines. David
Omandi of the Los Angeles Catholic Worker and Christopher Spicer of
the White Rose Catholic Worker of Chicago took their witness to the
School of the Americas, after jumping over the first set of
barbed-wire fencing at the entrance to the base, and were immediately
detained by military police amidst cheers from supporters.
Yesterday, Father Louis Vitale (California) and Nancy Smith (New York)
delivered their message of solidarity with our sisters and brothers in
Latin America after entering the base from the highway ramp. This is
the first time crossing the line for Nancy, Christopher and David, and
the fourth time for Fr. Louis. They continue to keep the light of
truth alive for the history books, so we can look back and see the
flowers that grow from the seeds of resistance we plant today.
--
Frank Cordaro
Phil Berrigan CW House
713 Indiana Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 490-2490 www.DesMoinesCatholicWorker.org