10,000 Gather to Call for the Closure of the SOA / WHISC
It was an incredible weekend at this year's SOA /WHISC protest. The music, puppets, speakers and spirit among the more than 10,000 gathered was amazing. Over 90 people were arrested for crossing onto the Ft. Benning base. This year, the judge issued $5,000 bonds for those arrested - it took until this evening to get everyone out of jail. Photos will be posted on our website over the next few days - check them out: www.soawne.org/SOArally.html
As of 4:30PM ninety-six
people had negotiated a ten-foot barbed-wire fence to enter Ft.
Benning, site of the school. They engaged in this act of
nonviolent civil disobedience despite the likelihood of facing
substantial prison time. Twenty-six people are currently serving
three-month and six-month prison sentences for peacefully
crossing onto the base during last November’s convergence.
This weekend featured
musicians and speakers from North and Latin America, including
The Indigo Girls. Today was the largest gathering yet to close
the SOA/WHISC; attributed to growing criticism of the war on
terrorism, coupled with concern over turmoil in Latin America
this past year involving SOA grads (e.g. the failed coup in
Venezuela, the deteriorating human rights situation in Colombia).
Tuesday - Nov. 19 (6 PM) - two people were still incarcerated in Muscogee County Jail in Columbus, GA after Sunday's vigil action. In the last 48 hours, the movement has been able to secure loans and raised funds to pay for the bonds of everyone who was arrested (close to $45,000 Dollar). The love, energy, strength and solidarity that has been generated over the last days has been amazing. Thanks to everyone who contributed to make this happen.
A trial is scheduled to take place on January 27, 2003. The defendants are facing up to six month in prison and $5000 dollar fine for their courageous witness that exposed the issue of SOA violence in Latin America to the public. The weekend's events and the case against the SOA was covered in many media outlets throughout Latin America, in newspapers in Europe and on cable channels, radio stations and newspapers such as the New York Times, USA Today, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and many others.
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SOA Watch/NE is helping to organize student groups, church groups and individuals to travel to Ft. Benning. We will advise on flights, arrangements for transportation to and from the airport, hotel reservations, as well as help organize carpooling and information for buses leaving from the Phila area for Georgia. In collaboration with the White Dog Cafe, a group will depart from the Phila airport on Friday, Nov. 15 and return early Monday morning (Nov. 18). We currently have rooms reserved, but they are going fast! In addition, in collaboration with St. Vincent’s Church, a bus delegation will leave Phila Friday night and return early Monday morning. The total cost will be approximately $140, which will include transportation and hotel accomodations for Saturday evening (4 persons per room). For more information, contact Joe Clay at 215-248-3563, or email him at jvfc3@msn.com.
For more info about the protest,
or how to get involved with organizing against the SOA,
please contact SOA Watch/NE at 215-477-5892.
Schedule of Events:
Friday,
November 15
12:30--5:00 pm: Colombia
Teach-in (Howard Johnson)
5:30--7:30 pm: Organized Labor Caucus
7:00--9:00 pm: United Church of Christ gathering (Methodist
Church)
7:30--9:30 pm: The SOA and the War on Terrorism--Pax Christi
(Howard Johnson)
Saturday,
November 16
9:00—10:30 am: Student Caucus (Days Inn, Victory Drive)
9:00—10:15 am: Orientation and Logistics Session (Bradley
Theater)
11:00 am–5:00 pm:
Rally at the Gates of Fort Benning
5:00 pm: Maryknoll Community Gathering (Heritage Inn)
6:00–7:15 pm: Orientation and Logistics Session (Bradley
Theater)
6:30—8:15 pm: Affinity group orientation and formation
(Howard Johnson)
7:00--9:00 pm: Church of the Brethren and friends gathering
(Marriot)
7:00 pm: Veterans for Peace gathering (Howard Johnson)
7:45—9:00 pm: Orientation and Logistics Session (Bradley
Theater)
9:00 pm: Spokescouncil meeting for affinity group representatives
(Howard Johnson)
9:30 pm: Benefit Concert (Bradley Theater)
Times
and Places TBA:
Women’s Religious
Caucus
Sunday,
November 17
8:30 am - 4:00pm: Vigil
at the Gates of Fort Benning
Orientation, Training, and Affinity Group Formation Schedule:
Anti-Oppression
Trainings
Friday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm / 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Howard Johnson, Carter Room
Nonviolence Trainings
Friday 8:30 - 11:30 am / 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Heritage Inn, Ballroom
Peacekeeper Orientation and Training
Saturday 8:30-10:30 am
Howard Johnson, Presidential Room
Orientation and Logistics Session - BRADLEY THEATER
Saturday 9:30-10:15 am
Saturday 6:00-7:15 pm
Saturday 7:45-9:00 pm
Affinity Group formation
Saturday 8:30-10:30 am
Heritage Inn, Ballroom
Saturday 6:30-8:30pm
Howard Johnson, Presidential Room
Spokescouncil Meeting for Affinity Group Representatives
Saturday 9:00pm
Howard Johnson, Presidential Room
Legal Observers Training
Saturday, 9:00-10:30 am
Heritage Inn, Magnolia Room
ADDRESSES:
Howard Johnson
1011 Veterans Parkway
706.322.6641
Days Inn
3170 Victory Drive
706.689.6181
Heritage Inn
1325 Veterans Parkway
706.322.2522
Marriott
3501 Courtyard Way
706.323.2323
South Columbus Methodist Church
1213 Benning Drive
Bradley Theater
1241 Broadway
Logistical Information to Assist You with Your Travel Plans:
Traveling to Columbus, GA by Car Columbus, GA is 100 miles Southwest of Atlanta. Take I-185 to Columbus Exit 1N (Victory Dr. – last exit before military base!). Turn Left at second light onto Fort Benning Road. Continue to Welcome to Fort Benning sign. Parking is very limited.
Traveling to Columbus, GA by Air Columbus has an airport (6 miles from the vigil site) serviced by several airlines.
The Groome shuttle van runs from the Atlanta airport to Columbus (about 90 min., $50 roundtrip). Provides service to your motel. Call (800) 584-6735.
Delta airlines will give a 10% discount with 60 days advance notice and 5% with less than 60 days. Call (800)241-6760 and specify SOA Watch code #188283A
Traveling to Columbus, GA by Bus Columbus has a Greyhound/Trailways station in the downtown area. It is approximately 6 miles from the vigil site. Columbus does not have a train station.
There is no shuttle service from motels to the vigil site. Participants often informally connect and share rides to and from the vigil and orientation sessions.
Hotels:
(Ask for SOA Watch group rate)
Baymont (706) 323-4344
Days Inn (706) 561-4400
Sheraton (706) 327-6868
Wingate (706) 225-1000
Marriott (706) 323-2323
Hampton Inn (706) 576-5303
Ext. Stay Am (706) 653-0131
Camping:
Lake Pines Campground: (30 min. north) (706) 561-9675
Roosevelt State Park: (I hour north) (800) 864-7275
Pine Mountain Campground: (706) 663-4329