Presbyterian peace activists released from prison  [10-21-03]

Women trespassed on Army base while protesting 'terror school'

Two Presbyterian women imprisoned earlier this year for entering an Army base during a protest have been released from jail. Marilyn M. White, 56, of suburban Houston, TX, was released on Oct. 3 from a federal Prison Camp for Women in Bryan, TX. Ann Huntwork, 72, of Portland, OR, was released on Oct. 6 from the Federal Prison Camp in Dublin, CA. Both were sentenced on charges of trespassing, after they entered Fort Benning, in Columbus, GA, during a demonstration against a training facility for Latin American military officers formerly known as the School of the Americas (SOA).

[1-30-03]

The Rev. Clifford Frasier, Evangelist for That All May Freely Serve-Presbyterian Welcome in NYC, was sentenced on Tuesday, Jan. 28, in U.S. District Court in Columbus, GA, to six months in a federal prison camp [minimum security] for being a repeat crosser at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation-nee-School of the Americas. He was also fined $500. He will self-report to prison at a later date.

Presbyterian elder Ann Huntwork of Portland, OR, a former medical worker in Iran, also received six months for being a repeat crosser. No word yet if she received a fine. She will also self-report.

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Co-Moderator Marilyn White of League City, TX, was also sentenced on Jan. 28.  White, a retired computer programmer from IBM at NASA, was found guilty of "trespass," and was also sentenced to six months in prison and a $500 fine, for she too is a repeat crosser.

These Presbyterians were among 42 defendants on trial this week for civil disobedience at the School of the Americas (renamed Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation), a controversial combat training school for Latin American soldiers.

For more details:

Marilyn White reports on her experience, and shares her statement to the court.

And Cliff Frasier tells of his experience, and also shares his statement to the court.

For more information on the School of the Americas protests (and penalties for those protests, check out the SOAWatch website.

Women entered Army base while protesting U.S. military school
[2-5-03]

[1-16-03]

86 human rights activists face trials in Columbus, GA; volunteers sought for supporting actions

Teacher is fired for being imprisoned for protesting against the SOA - seeks rehiring

Some activists to be released; how to contact those still incarcerated

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Trial Update

The largest group of defendants ever is set to stand trial for speaking truth to power at the SOA. Come to Columbus to support our friends as they face up to 18 month in prison for their nonviolent acts of solidarity.

In addition to these federal cases, Karl Meyer, who last year completed a six month prison sentence for crossing the line, faces city charges for refusing to allow the police to search him before entering the protest site. Karl will be arraigned in absentia on January 17th and unless the charges are dismissed at that time, scheduled for trial.

Two of the defendants were tried and sentenced in December. Dave Tarbell was sentenced to 3 months in prison and a $500 fine. Vincent Jackson was sentenced to 12 months of probation and a $2,500 fine.

Those slated for jury trials include Rachel Shiveley, who took a wrong turn onto the base and was charged with running a police barricade. Charity Ryerson, Jeremiah John and Andrew Olive are charged with destruction of government property. In addition to the charges above, which carry a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison, they are also charged with trespassing and so face up to 18 months in prison. The defense attorney for Andrew Olive is still seeking witnesses in his case. If you saw someone pick boltcutters up from the ground after the bolt had been cut, please get in touch. Visit http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?idU6 for details.

The two large group trials consist of people charged with trespassing for crossing onto Ft Benning property as part of the solemn funeral procession. Each of the two trials will begin with a festival of hope and resistance featuring speakers, musicians and a commissioning service for the defendants. The morning of, there will be a procession from the Howard Johnson to the courthouse. During the trial itself, there will be opportunities for supporters to rotate in and out of the courtroom and maintain a vigil on the courthouse steps. In previous years, supporters have come together to plan a nonviolent direct action at Ft. Benning during the trial.

We know that many of you have been waiting for these details and apologize for the delay. It was not until this morning that these dates were confirmed. Our defense attorneys had previously filed a motion for Judge Faircloth to be recused from the case due to his obvious bias. This morning we were notified that Judge Faircloth himself ruled against the motion that he be recused from the case. Just another example of the injustice we are up against.

Come to Ft. Benning and support the SOA 86! Please contact Jeff Winder (jwinder@soaw.org, 202-234-3440) in the SOA Watch office in Washington, DC, if you are planning to come to Georgia for the trial and would be able to help with the support work.

For short bios of the defendants visit: http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?idT0

For the trial schedule and logistical information visit: http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?idU4

For actions to take in solidarity with the SOA 86 visit: http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id9

Call for witnesses in the case of Andrew Olive: http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?idU6

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Action Alert

SOA Watch prisoner of conscience Janice Sevre-Duszynska returned home after completing a three-month prison sentence to find a letter from her employer, Henry Clay High School, where she has taught English as a second language for the past 12 years. In this letter, Interim Schools Superintendent Duane Tennant terminated her employment, calling her arrest and imprisonment for nonviolent protest, "insubordination and conduct unbecoming a teacher."

Janice is a person of integrity and a skillful, dedicated teacher. The termination of her employment is unfairly detrimental not only to Janice; but to her students as well. This action is part of a disturbing nation-wide trend towards the criminalization of dissent and is a threat to activists everywhere.

An appeal hearing will be held on January 22nd. Act now to support Janice in regaining her employment. Send a letter of support for Janice to the editor of the Lexington Herald-Letter and a copy of that letter to the Interim Schools Superintendent. Letters to the editor generally should be no more than 250 words.

Letters to the Editor hleditorial@herald-leader.com

fax: 859-255-7236

Letters to the Editor
Lexington Herald-Leader
100 Midland Ave.
Lexington, KY 40508

cc: to Dr. L. Duane Tennant, Interim Superintendent Fayette County Public Schools 701 E. Main St. Lexington, KY 40502

email: dtennant@fayette.k12.ky.us
phone: 859-384-4104 fax: 859-381-4303

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Prisoners to be released

Toni Flynn, Peter Gelderloos, Father Jerry Zawada are being released from Prison on Friday, January 10, 2003 after having served six month sentences and Father Louis Vitale will be released on Sunday, January 12, 2003 after three month in prison. Toni, Peter, Jerry and Louis were all part of the SOA 43, who were arrested in November 2001 for crossing the line onto Fort Benning.

Eleven SOA Watch activists are still incarcerated in prisons across the United States - please write them. For their addresses visit: http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id7

SOA Watch
PO Box 4566
Washington DC 20017
(202)234-3440
www.soaw.org