[Peace-discuss] School of Americas protest - indiscriminate arrests & targeting of journalists

[C. G. Estabrook]

      Thousands Converge at the gates of Fort Benning for 20th Anniversary of 
November Vigil to Close the SOA
      26 PEOPLE ARRESTED AND HELD IN THE COUNTY JAIL ON MULTIPLE CHARGES
      Nonviolent Civil Disobedience Action Followed by Indiscriminate Arrests 
and Targeting of Journalists

  Among those arrested by Columbus Police were three Journalists, including TV 
News Crew from RT America and 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 was the RT America TV crew, who was filming the police misconduct and 
bystanders. All arrestees are currently being held in the Muscogee County Jail 
for up to a $5,500 bond.

      SOA Watch is a nonviolent grassroots organization that works for the 
closing the
      School of the Americas and a change in U.S. foreign policy  -  www.SOAW.org