Thousands Converge at the gates of Fort Benning for 20th Anniversary of November Vigil to Close the SOA
Nonviolent civil disobedience action followed by indiscriminate arrests
and targeting of journalists. Among those arrested by Columbus police
were three journalists, including unrelated bystanders.
Thousands of human rights activists, torture survivors, veterans,
faith-based communities, union workers, students, musicians and others
from across the Americas are gathered today at the gates of the U.S.
military base Fort Benning to call for the closure of the School of the
Americas (renamed Western Hemisphere Institute for Security
Cooperation).
Following the SOA Watch rally, human rights activists brought their
nonviolent witness to close the SOA into the street leading onto the
military base. The activists briefly shut down the road with a large
sign that said, "Stop: This is the End of the Road for the SOA." Their
action is part of a longstanding tradition of creative civil
disobedience to call attention to the atrocities committed by graduates
of the School of the Americas. 10-12 people were arrested, and others
charged, including the 90-year old Jesuit priest Bill Brennan, and
ordained Catholic priest Janice Sevre-Duszynska.
Two human rights activists crossed onto Fort Benning through the highway
entrance. They have been charged with federal trespass and face up to
six months in federal prison and a fine up to $5,000.
When the rally participants tried to leave the vigil area, the police
blocked off all exit points. After a few minutes, the police allowed
people to leave on the sidewalk, only to follow them, indiscriminately
arresting people who had neither committed any crimes nor engaged in
civil disobedience. Among those arrested were journalists, who
were filming the police misconduct and bystanders. All arrestees are
currently being held in the Muscogee County Jail for up to a $5,500
bond.
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