School of the Americas Watch
update:[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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
