CHARGES
AGAINST THE SOA WATCH ACTIVISTS ARE DISMISSED!!!
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE!
+++++++++++++++++
Trial Date Set (Canceled!!!) The following SOAW activists have rejected the prosecutors "plea bargain" of 6 months probation and $300 fine: Bill Brown, Becky Johnson, Linda Panetta, Alison Styan and Laurel Paget-Seekins. A trial date of December 19 has been set. This date coincides with the anniversary of the 1997 Acteal massacre in Mexico (December 22); and earlier that month are also the anniversaries of the El Mozote massacre (over 900 killed--10 of the 12 officers cited in this case are SOA graduates), and the 20-year anniversary of the rape and murder of 4 US churchwomen in El Salvador. We hope that you can join us for a vigil / protest outside of the courthouse on the 19th!
Brief Summary of September
16 Court Appearance
Photos of the RNC Action
July 31 Press Release
Support
Vigil for Nine SOA Watch Human Rights Activists (for more details see above
links)
Please join our vigil in support of the "SOAW 9" in front of the Courthouse (1301 Filbert Street) on Saturday, Sept. 16. The vigil will begin at 8:30 AM (court appearances for those charged will begin at 9 AM) and go until at least 12 noon.
Arrested on July 31 in
Philadelphia...
On Monday, July 31st, the first day of the Republican National
Convention (RNC), nine School of the Americas Watch (SOAW)
activists were arrested in Philadelphia in front of City Hall.
The civil disobedience involved 2 SOA soldiers, Uncle Sam, and 4
individuals--dressed as campesinos, who each wore around their
necks a sign representing either "Colombia,"
"Mexico," "Guatemala" and "El
Salvador."
Following an impassioned speech by Fr.
Roy Bourgeois, who spoke about the atrocities perpetrated by SOA
graduates, Bill Brown, donned as Uncle Sam, gave the orders to
the soldiers to massacre the campesinos. The soldiers, lunging
forward, splattered red (biodegradable) paint all over the
victims. As the four fell to the ground, the soldiers and Uncle
Sam continued to spread the red paint on the bodies, as well as
on the cement. While some supporters leafleted the onlookers,
other supporters dramatically began to scream out for the slain
victims. The 2 soldiers proceeded to give "high-fives"
to Uncle Sam as they proudly marched around the motionless
victims.
Following the singing of "No Mas... No More..." and Fr.
Roy offering further testimonies, the soldiers and Uncle Sam
picked up each of the bodies and carried them into the street
(blocking a portion of the road). Following this act, they each
took chalk and outlined the bodies, signifying a crime scene --
on the street they also inscribed "S.O.A."
The enactment and the fliers used for leafleting decried the
congressional refusal to acknowledge the horrific crimes against
humanity that graduates of the SOA have perpetrated. This action
was a declaration of shame on those who voted against the closure
of the SOA and the establishment of a Truth Commission —
only 48 Republicans voted in support of Rep. Moakley's amendment
earlier this year to close the school. The action was a reminder
to the delegates of the RNC of their responsibility to end the
unjust US foreign policy which has caused so much suffering and
death to our brothers and sisters in Latin America.
In addition to those mentioned, Linda
Panetta, director of SOA Watch/NE, was arrested simply for her
refusal to demand that the participants clear the streets. Also,
one additional activist joined the scenario towards the
conclusion of the action with the intent of being arrested to
show his opposition to the SOA.
Philadelphia's Mayor John Street has promised to prosecute the
activists to the fullest extent of the law. The activists are
being charged with a range of 2 to 5 misdemeanors. The maximum
prison term for the least severe misdemeanor is one year -- with
the sentences building from there.
Please join our vigil in support of
the 9 in front of the Courthouse (1301 Filbert Street) on
Saturday, September 16. The vigil will begin at 8:30 AM (court
appearances for those charged will begin at 9 AM) and go until at
least 12 noon.
During the vigil we will gather together to stand in solidarity
with the nine arrested at the RNC and to voice our opposition to
the School of the Americas. There will be music (please bring
your voices and instruments) as well as giant puppets.
The SOA Watch activists arrested on July 31 include: Darren
Alexander, (24, from Virginia); Bill Brown, (31, from
Pennsylvania); Maureen Doyle, (47, from Missouri); Linda Panetta,
(34, from Pennsylvania); Sebastian Petsu, (20, from New Jersey--a
St. Joseph's student); Alison Styan, (17, from Lancaster, PA--a
high school student); Oberlin College students Becky Johnson,
(21, from Ohio) and Laurel Paget-Seekins, (20, from California),
and Bryn Hammerstrong (PA).
For More Information about the Ft. Benning
Vigil/Civil Disobedience Click
Here or
call: 215-473-2162.