A news release from SOA Watch, sent 4-6-04

[Posted here 4-7-04]

Of the 27 people tried in January for civil disobedience at Fort Benning, GA on November 23, 2003, the biggest group (17) reports today, April 6. We remember their witness, their action, and their spirits as they head off to prison. We also remember those who are already in jail, welcome those who were released, and remember our probationers who have already begun serving their time. (Their sentences, prison assignments, and other updates are below the email message.)

Our friends who are in jail, on probation, and the 17 who will report to prison today cannot help but reflect on their actions in light of the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When we think of our friends who chose civil disobedience, who put their bodies on the line for justice, a quote from Dr. King comes to mind: "The ultimate measure of a [person] is not where [they] stand in moments of comfort, but where [they] stand at times of challenge and controversy."

"SOA Watch sisters and brothers, receive our love, our solidarity, and our hope that one day we will live in a world for all and with all." The words of our friends from the Human Rights Committee Kamarikun in Santiago, Chile on Nov 23, 2003. "We feel our brotherhood and sisterhood with only one noble objective, which is to construct a life with peace, and a peace with justice. We are certain that some day, justice will dominate over all of the hate and threats. We are certain that the dreams of Martin Luther King will be a reality for millons of brothers and sisters who live in great misery and neglect." (See the whole statement in Spanish and English http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?idp4)

REPORTING TODAY, APRIL 6 TO:

FCI Dublin in northern California: Leisa Faulkner Barnes from Sacramento, CA: 3 months; Peg Morton lives in Eugene, OR: 3 months.

FCI Danbury in Connecticut: Alice Gerard from Buffalo, NY: 3 months (Read "Why I Chose to Cross the Line," by Alice Gerard http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=700); Betsy Lamb lives in Columbia, MD: 6 months (Read "Why I Crossed the Line in Ft Benning," by Betsy Lamb www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=718).

FCI Coleman in Florida: Faith Fippinger from Sarasota, FL: 3 months.

FCI Pekin in Illinois Cynthia Brinkman, SSND from Ellington, MO: 6 months; Kathy Kelly from Chicago, IL: 3 months (Read "Crossing Lines," by Kathy Kelly http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0329-02.htm)

FCI Manchester in Kentucky: Don Beisswenger from Nashville, TN: 6 months.

FPC Duluth in Minnesota: Ozone lives in Duluth, MN: 3 months (Sentencing statement: http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=737).

FCI Waseca in Minnesota: Scott Diehl from Burlington, IA: 3 months (Read Scott's court statement www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=735); Greg Poferl lives in St. Paul, MN: 3 months (letter to the American Postal Workers Union http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=730).

FCI Sheridan in Oregon: Rich Wekerle of Moscow, ID: 6 months.

FCI McKean in Pennsylvania: Fr. Bernie Survil lives in Greensburg, PA: 3 months

FCI Oxford in Wisconsin: Dave Corcoran from Des Plaines, IL: (another) 6 months; Fr. Jerry Zawada of Burlington, WI: (another) 6 months.

And -- Reporting on June 22 will be: Craig Adams of Glenwood, WI: 3 months at FCI Sandstone in Minnesota. Shirley Way of Stanley, NY: 3 months at FCI Danbury in Connecticut. (Statement of Shirley www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=732)

ALREADY REPORTING: 4 Probationers: Elizabeth Bradley, from Sacramento, CA: 12 months of probation. (See a photo of Elizabeth being arrested http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=707); Sarah Jobe from Memphis, TN: 12 months of probation. Louise Lynch of Fremont, CA: 12 months of probation; Mary Vaughan of White Bear, MN: 24 months of probation- already served 6 months in prison in 2000. (See at picture of Mary http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=697)

UPDATE ON THOSE CURRENTLY IN JAIL: Gary Ashbeck and Eric Robison were moved from Jones (Georgia) County Jail on approximately March 23 to USP Atlanta. We believe that Gary and Eric are there very temporarily and will not receive mail there. We believe they are in transit and will arrive within a few weeks at the federal facilities where they will finish their terms. We will post addresses for Gary and Eric when the addresses are available.

RELEASED! Fr. Ben Jimenez, released January 26; Mike O'Grady, released January 26 (web site http://home.fuse.net/claver/); Michael Walli of Duluth, MN: released January 26; Fr. Joe Mulligan, sentenced to 3 months started serving on January 28. (Press release about end of fast http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=723)

AWAITS SENTENCING: Karl Meyer was found guilty for refusing the search both in 2002 and 2003. Sentencing will be any day.

WHAT TO DO:

START ORGANIZING IN YOUR COMMUNITY TO COME TO FORT BENNING, GEORGIA TO STAND VIGIL AT THE GATES FROM NOVEMBER 19-21, 2004 - CLOSE THE SOA/WHISC! http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=763.

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An e-mail note written on April 7, 2004, by a member of Don's Nashville support group

Hello to all Don's supporters,

At 1:55 DST yesterday, Don was processed at the Federal Prison at Manchester, Ky. He entered with all the resolve that he has shown for all the victims of the SOA. He entered with wonderful thoughts and memories to hold him through for all of you that have supported him- the prayer service, the march, all the phone calls, dinners, letters and e-mails of support. Traveling with Don were his son, Philip, Roger Golden, Cinny Poppin and Judy Pilgrim. Near Manchester we met Eric Johnson who had already served as a prisoner of conscience of the SOA last year. We had a picnic and he told of many of the "ins and outs" of Manchester. We were also joined for a short time by Steve Monhollen, a former student of Don's and now director of Field Education at Lexington Theological Seminary. As of yet we do not have Don's complete address, and from what we learned visiting will require a plan since there are only a limited number of days in a month when visitors will be allowed. Please keep Don in your thoughts and prayers.