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30 Arrested at Schoolof Americas, Solidarity Vigil Dublin & Anti-War Resistance Updates from U.S.
international |
anti-war / imperialism |
news report
Monday November 22, 2004 12:37 by Ciaron - Dublin Catholic Worker 087 918 4552
They're in Jail for Us, We're on the Streets for Them! Over 16,000 people from across the Americas — including actors Martin Sheen and Susan Sarandon — gathered this weekend outside the gates of Ft. Benning, Georgia in the most diverse demonstration yet of opposition to the School of the Americas/ WHINSEC! Carlos Mauricio, Rev. Graylan Hagler, Father Roy Bourgeois, Davida Cody, Martin Sheen and others lead the funeral procession on Sunday, November 21, 2004. |
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Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13Updated November 22, 2004
Political prisoners in prisons and jails for their witness for peace:
Greg has a three month sentence for trespass at the Strategic Air Command in Omaha during the Feast of the Holy Innocents.
Greg Boertje-Obed #08052-016 (out 12/21/04)
Duluth FPC
P.O. Box 1000
Duluth, MN 55814
Elton has a three month sentence for trespass at the Strategic Nuclear and Military Space Commands at Offutt Air Force Base August 9 2004..
Elton Davis #2343352 (out Feb 18, 2005)
Douglas County Correctional Center
710 S. 17th Street
Omaha, NE 68102
SACRED EARTH AND SPACE PLOWSHARES
Jackie Hudson 08808-039 (30 months – out 7/05 or with good time 3/06/05)
Federal Prison Camp, Victorville
P.O. Box 5100
Adelanto, CA 92301
Carol Gilbert 10856-039 (33 months – out 10/05 or with good time, 5/23/05))
Alderson FPC
Box A
Alderson, WV 24910
Ardeth Platte 10857-039 (41 months – out 6/06 or with goodtime, 12/22/05)
Federal Correction Institution
331/2 Pembroke Station
Danbury, CT 06811
NUCLEAR RESISTERS
Helen Woodson 03231-045
c/o Bates County Jail
P.O. Box 60
Butler, MO 64730
(Protest at federal courthouse, Kansas City, Missouri, 3/11/04 violates parole following 3/9/04 release from prison.)
INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR RESISTERS IN PRIOSN :
Yuri I. Bandazhevsky (8 years – in 12/04)
Valiuk for Bandazhevsky Y.I.
231318 Grodnenskaya oblast
Lidski raion
Peskovtsy, ul, Oktiabrskaya 2
Belarus
(Chernobyl researcher and whistleblower fraudulently convicted of corruption, 6/01)
Igor Sutyagin (15 years)
c/o Irina Petrovna Manammikova (wife of prisoner)
Zvezdnaya, d, 1A, kv. 82
Obninsk, Kaluga region 249039
Russia
(imprisoned since 10/27/99, now convicted of espionage for researching public nuclear weapons information for disarmament research)
THE FOLLWOING PEOPLE ARE NOW IN PRISON FOR ANTI-WAR RELATED ACTIVITIES
José Vélez Acosta 23883-069 (33 months – out 1/27/06)
USP POB 1033
Coleman, Florida 33521
José Pérez González 21519-069 (5 years – in 9/05/03)
Montgomery FPC
Maxwell Air Force Base
Montgomery, AL 36112
Néstor de Jesús Guishard 21716-069 (14 months – out 12/9/04)
and
José Montañez Sanes 26317-069 (18 months –out 5/15/05 )
MDC Guaynabo
P.O. Box 2147
San Juan, PR 00922-2147
Andres Santiago 19829-069 (out 12/10/04)
MDC Guaynabo
PO Box 2147
San Jaun, PR 00922-2147
Jorge Cruz 26318-069 (18 months – out 6/06/05)
FCI Edgefield
501 Gary Hill Road
P.O. Box 723
Edgefield, SC 29824
MILITARY REFUSERS
Camilo Mejia (one year-out 3/05)
Building 1490
Randolph Rd.
Fort Sill, Ok 73503
(National Guard member went AWOL after 2003 Iraq duty, turned self in as conscientious objector, 3/15/04, sentenced to one year)
Sgt. First Class Abd Alla Webster (14 months, in 6/3/04)
we don't know address yet. (more info)
possible address:
293 Base Battalion
Mannheim, Germany
(refused Iraq dity convicted after CO petition rejected)
:
November 19, 2004
Des Moines Catholic Worker, Elton Davis, today was sentenced to 90
days in jail by Federal Magistrate Judge Thalken for misdemeanor
trespass charges stemming from an August 9th demonstration at Offutt
AFB. Davis began his sentence immediately. (Elton's Statement below)
Offutt AFB is the home of the Strategic Nuclear and USA Military
Space Commands. August 9th was the 59th Anniversary of the US dropping
of the Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki Japan. Davis was part of a 3 1/2 day
vigil at Offutt's main gate. The vigil commemorated the August 6 - 9,
USA A-bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. Amongst 35 friends and
supporters, Davis concluded the vigil by entering onto Offutt property.
Support, solidarity, information, contact:
Phil Berrigan Catholic Worker House
713 Indiana St., Des Moines, IA 50314
USA
.
16,000 Protest U.S.-Run School of the Americas
Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1122-01.htm
COLUMBUS, Georgia -- At least 20 people were arrested Sunday while protesting a U.S.-run military school for Latin Americans, some of whose graduates they claim later committed civil rights abuses including murder.
Charges filed against the demonstrators range from trespassing to "wearing a mask," a violation of a rarely invoked 1951 law originally aimed at fighting the Ku Klux Klan.
Those arrested were among about a record 16,000 people who demonstrated outside the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation at Fort Benning, calling for the school to be shut down
[....]
As recently as October, a former Colombian army officer who graduated from the school had been accused of murdering a state official while still a member of the military. Maj. David Hernandez, who became the head of a paramilitary group, was killed in a clash with army troops.
'Martin Sheen, who has many times joined protests for causes he believes in, marched in Sunday's demonstration and rallied the crowd with a fiery speech.'
http://atlanta.indymedia.org/media/all/display/7398/index.php?limit_start=36
Des Moines Catholic Worker Elton Davis was moved this a.m. from the
Douglas Co Jail in Omaha NE. He is in transient with US Marshals.
Where?
We do not know.
These are often the most difficult times for prisoners and for their
support people.
We must await word from Elton where he might land. We will keep you
posted.
Do Keep Elton in your thoughts and prayers.
Frank Cordaro
Solidarity letter & postcards send to Elton c/-
The Phil Berrigan Catholic Worker House
713 Indiana St., Des Moines, IA 50314
Ph (515) 282-4781
Reta Kaur - Not Guilty
Dear Friends and Supporters of Peace,
I was found "Not Guilty" today of criminal damage of $9080. The
magistrate
said that I had, "no intent, no belief that my action with water
soluble
paint would damage the statues, and that I offered immediately to wash
down
the paint." He accepted that I was overcome with grief at the news of
the
bombing of Iraq on 20 March 03.
Evidence was also given by prosecution witnesses that the cleaners
called in
immediately did the most damage by "smearing, rubbing in, using nail
brushes, scrapers", and had no expertise in cleaning marble. The
marble
expert was only called like 20 days later.
For failing to give my address, I'm fined $100. There is no record of
conviction.
I'm much relieved that I was believed by the court. The criminalization
of
my grief and shock at the bombing of Iraq, the desire of the police to
put
me through the legal process, has been a very stressful & alienating
experience.
I was supported pro bono by Peter Noble & Dan Nicholson from Fitzroy
Legal
Service, Tanja Kovac from Ryan Maloney Anderson, and barristers Chris
Maxwell and Shivani Pillai.
And I was supported most by all of you, the wonderful people, who
believe
that a peaceful world is possible.
I thank you.
Love
Reta Kaur
Women for Peace: No Weapons No Wars
War is Terrorism and Terrorism is War.
Last Friday, FEIC carried out the digging of a symbolic grave at Raytheon, Derry. During the protest, large numbers of white ribbons and flowers were tied to the railings which run along the perimeter of the Raytheon plant. The protest closed with a candlelit vigil, as the grave was closed and a large stone marker, with the words, 'Fallujah 2004' was left to mark the grave. Flowers and candles were left in an act of solidarity with the people of Fallujah.
By Sunday, every single ribbon, flower and candle had been removed by Raytheon. The grave marker was taken away four times over the weekend and was yesterday finally broken in two. It's clear that Raytheon in Derry are unnerved by the protest and threatened by white ribbons, flowers and candles. The people who make Tomahawk Cruise missiles are unable to countenance the sight of simple symbols of peace: that is the power of this protest.
We ask all FEIC members, supporters and friends and anyone who opposes what the US and their arms-manufacturers are doing in Fallujah to continue to unnerve Raytheon. Please keep replacing the ribbons and flowers and the grave marker, whenever you can.
This is a site of struggle.
Edwin Lewinson was fighting mad, and he didn't mind letting the judge know it.
"I believe you're discriminating against me because I am blind," said Lewinson, 74, who was among the 16 SOA Watch protesters who were arrested last weekend during the annual protest at Fort Benning.
The reason for Lewinson's ire? U.S. Magistrate G. Mallon Faircloth was dismissing the trespassing charge against him.
This isn't the first meeting between U.S. Magistrate G. Mallon Faircloth and Lewinson, a retired Seton Hall University American history professor. Lewinson was arrested last year. And, like this year, Faircloth dismissed the charge.
This year, the 15th for the annual protest, 16 people were arrested. Forty were arrested last year, less than half the number from 2002.
Like last year, Faircloth set bonds of $500 or $1,000 for each of the 13 protesters who were arrested by federal authorities. Faircloth set their trials for Jan. 24 in Columbus. The other three protesters were arrested by Columbus police officers, and their cases will be handled in State Court. They will receive their trial notifications in the mail.
And, like last year, the protesters' attorneys objected to any bond amount, saying the protesters will be glad to return to court.
Faircloth, though, said he needed some assurance that the protesters would return to Columbus, because none of them have local ties.
'I'll be back next year'
During Monday's hearing, held at Muscogee County Recorder's Court next to the county jail, Lewinson vowed to return.
"I chose to be here last year, and I chose to be here this year," Lewinson said. "Even though I'm blind, I take responsibility for everything I did. I didn't have to do it -- I chose to do it. If you don't hold me accountable, I'll be back next year."
Faircloth said he found no proof that Lewinson knew he was crossing onto federal property, even though prosecutors said other people helped Lewinson cross onto Fort Benning.
"There is no evidence before this court that you knew you had violated the statute," Faircloth said. "I'm trying to help. If you go to trial, it will be impossible to prove you knowingly violated the law. And I've got enough trials."
"Mr. Lewinson, I look forward to seeing you next year," Faircloth said.
"I will if you're still on the bench," said Lewinson, as the courtroom full of protesters hooted and clapped.
U.S. Marshals immediately ordered the protesters to leave the courtroom.
Facing the judge
Alice Gerard, the first defendant called before Faircloth on Monday, was also a return customer -- she was convicted for trespassing during the 2003 protest, and was fined $500 and sentenced to 90 days in federal prison.
One of the defendants, Lelia Jane Mattingly, is a nun from Maryknoll, N.Y. Another, Robert Chantal, 52, of Americus, Ga., is known as the "peace clown." He, like the other defendants, was wearing a Muscogee County Jail pants and shirt during his court appearance; unlike the others, the sides of his face still bore traces of the white makeup he was wearing when he was arrested Sunday. His bond was set at $500.
Brian De Rouen, a student at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio, held up two fingers in a peace sign behind his back, a signal to fellow protesters as he pledged to return for his January trial.
One still in jail
At the end of the day, only John Thomas MacLean, 79, of Ashfield, Mass., remained in jail. Faircloth set his bond at $1,000, but MacLean said he refused to accept the bond amount, and pledged to stay in the Muscogee County Jail until his trial.
"You're saying you wish to remain incarcerated?" Faircloth asked.
"I don't wish to, but I guess that's the option," MacLean said.
Faircloth said he would meet with MacLean next Monday to see if he had changed his mind.
Faircloth had a lengthy exchange with 27-year-old Elizabeth Nadeau, a steelworker from Minneapolis. He noted it's much warmer in Georgia than in Minnesota.
"Is that the reason you do this?" Faircloth asked, smiling. "Why don't you just move down here?"
Nadeau said she would be willing to return to Columbus for her trial, and she agreed it will be much more pleasant weather here in January than at her home.
"Which should be seen as significant incentive to return," Nadeau said. "Nothing short of being pinned down by physical force beyond my ability to overcome it would keep me from returning."
Faircloth didn't budge -- her bond also was set at $1,000.
Our friend Elton Davis has landed in Leavenworth KS - the City of
Prisons. There are six joints in or near Leavenworth KS. There is a US
Federal Penitentiary and US Fed Prison Camp, the State Men's and
Women's Penitentiary, the US Military Penitentiary and the newest
addition, the Corrections Corporation of America Inc. Fed holding
facility.
The Corrections Corporation of America Inc. is the largest for profit
prison system in the country. They run 66 prisons or jails around the
country.
No kidding... check it out
Our best guess is that Elton will do the rest of his time in this
facility. Although anything can happen and it is too early to tell.
Please write to Elton - do not forget to add his new Fed Prison #
after his name. This is a different # than the Dougals Co Jail # he
was given in Omaha.
Elton's new address:
Elton Davis #19777-047
Leavenworth Detention Center
100 Highway Terrace
Leavenworth, Kansas 66048
peace
Frank Cordaro
The Phil Berrigan Catholic Worker House
713 Indiana St., Des Moines, IA 50314
We will be thinking of Dorothy Day on her day and I will be thinking of you all and thanking you again for being out there. Ciaron, good things have happened at Jabiluka/Kakadu. It was worth the actions we did.
Blessings of
Advent ( Waiting & Vigil)
& Christmas (the Kingdom/Reign of God on earth)
to you all.
Kay McPadden rsj
p.s. Helen Prejean ("Dead Man Walking") is coming to Australia next year with Maria Grohwohl, Genesis Farm speaker.
His Unholiness George Warmonger Bush International Terrorist to the USSA: "Sorry to Oil the Death Squads and Amerika's Hall of Shame but Oil comes first."
On Tuesday, November 24, Helen Woodson was informed that she would be sentenced the next day in federal court in Kansas City.
Appearing before Chief U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple, Woodson was sentenced only on the charges resulting from her actions last March, following her release from federal prison.
At the quickly-scheduled hearing, Judge Whipple acknowledged he had heard from Helen's friends, and said he would be sentencing her in a few weeks for violating probation in Chicago, after he receives Helen's file from that office. Until then, he ordered she continue to be held in the Missouri jail where she has been since March. (address below)
Helen was sentenced to 51 months in prison for five counts of making threatening communications to federal judges and Air Force personnel, and one count of destruction of government property. The sentence was at the upper limit defined by the law in her case. She was also sentenced to 13 months for violation of probation from the 1984 Silo Pruning Hooks charges, a sentence that is now mostly complete. Helen reported in a phone call that she expects an additional 57 months will be added to her sentence when the Chicago charges are dealt with, and that with credit for good time, she may be released in September, 2012. The Kansas City Star reports that she told Judge Whipple, "What you will be doing today is setting the date for my next action, and I invite you to be there that day."
Fr. Carl Kabat, Helen's co-defendant from her 1984 arrest at a Missouri nuclear missile silo who was recently released from jail for his own continuing anti-nuclear activity, attended the sentencing hearing and testified about his evolution as a nuclear resister and his pride in knowing Helen Woodson all these years.
Letters of support can be send to
Helen Woodson 03231-045
Bates County Jail
P. O. Box 60
Butler, MO 64730