Thousands Demand Closure of Fort Benning's School of the Americas

[babsbunny]

http://www.truthout.org/1122098

Sunday 22 November 2009

by: Scott Galindez, t r u t h o u t | Report


This weekend, thousands of people gathered at the gates of Ft. Benning to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the killings of 14-year-old Celia Ramos, her mother Elba Ramos and the six Jesuit priests with whom she worked at the Central American University in San Salvador.

Nearly 5,000 people are gathered in the pouring rain according to Larry White, a protester who spoke to Truthout. Earlier in the day, following a rally featuring a performance by the Indigo Girls, activists participated in the yearly "presente march," ending at Ft. Benning. During the march, activists carried crosses with the names of the victims of brutal repression in Central America. According to White, 50 of the marchers left the permitted route and are being threatened with arrest.

Four Arrests

[pleah]

1. K&R

[redwitch]

2. I have a friend there.

I am really proud of him, he's a 20ish grad student who attended with fellow students and teachers from a college in Colorado.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. So do I

I really want to go one year. Sounds like a great meaningful event.

[G_j]

3. there are nuns in their eighties who have spent time in federal prison

this strictly nonviolent protest has been going on for years. Attendance is often in the thousands.
I have a good friend who spent 6 months in prison for "crossing the line" and entering the base.
I have been there also, didn't cross, but was there to support those who chose to.

This is a tradition deeply rooted in nonviolence.

You won't see gun toting, "water the tree of liberty" types there.

Nuns go to prison, and the media gives us?

...a black out on SOA protests,


BUT notice, teabaggers get coverage..
:puke:

[G_j]

7. K

[proud patriot]

5. me , mimi , and a hundred nuns (video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0M8lllqQIA

This is one of my very favorite protest songs ,
all about Fort Benning .

[OutNow]

6. Time to close the SOA

I also have a friend that crossed the line at Fort Benning and served time in federal prison. I'm not one who cares too much about religion, but I make an exception for Father Roy. If all folks who claim to lead a Christian life would emulate Father Roy this world would be a much better place.