Thousands protest School of the
Americas
Peace Fellowship leader Marilyn White reports on
her arrest
[11-21-02]
On Sunday, Nov. 17, between 8,000 and 15,000 people
(or maybe 6,500, depending on whose report you read) joined together for
a vigil and action of mass civil disobedience outside Fort Benning,
Georgia, calling for the closing of the notorious School of the
Americas, now renamed as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security
Cooperation.
A mass funeral procession "crossed the line"
onto Fort Benning (but outside of the gates and fence). 96 people were
arrested for crossing further onto the base property, by either going
around or through the fence.
Marilyn White, past chairperson of the Presbyterian
Peace Fellowship, was one on the 90+ people who chose to be arrested in
the action.
Here's a report she sent after being released from
jail on Nov. 19:
Dear friends,
I am home from
Georgia, only a day and a half late and so much richer for many new
experiences and many friends. This year's SOA vigil was fantastic and
I urge all of you to check out the excellent coverage on the Atlanta
Independent Media Center site.
As you know
Cliff Frasier (evangelist for Presbyterian Welcome in NYC) and I were
arrested, as was Ann Huntwork, a former Presbyterian missionary. We'll
be tried in Columbus on January 27.
I called home on
Monday night, from the Muscogee County Jail. When Will told me that
Anne Sayre had stayed until Cliff was released late Monday night and
driven him to Atlanta, and then that Len Bjorkman and Russ Morgan had
put up the money for our bond, and that Len and Russ were committed to
staying in Columbus until I was released, I broke down andcried. I
can't believe what wonderful friends and supporters I have.
Thank you all so
much for your prayers and your presence.
I was one of the
last released, at about 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Russ and Len drove me
and two other new friends to the Atlanta airport. I was pleased to
learn that if you miss your flight due to being in jail, Continental
will put you on a new flight at no extra charge. So I was back in
Houston at 7:30 p.m. tonight.
There is no
doubt in my mind that the government has decided to shut down the SOA
protests with a firm hand. We must be strong and continue to put the
SOA on trial. I'm so proud to be part of this wonderful movement with
all of you.
Peace,
Marilyn
More on demonstration against School of
the Americas from Presbyterian News
Service [11-23-02]
| Marilyn White's home-town
paper, the Galveston Daily News, offers a
"human interest" report on her background, and
what her action may mean for her and her family. |
For other reports, you might check out the
website of School of the Americas Watch
Atlanta
Independent Media Center has extensive coverage, with photos and
more.
AP's report appeared in The
Minneapolis Star Tribune.
