The SOA 16 | Valerie Fillenwarth: "And so, I join my voice to all those crying out for justice."

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"Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander."

The SOA 16



“If... the machine of government... is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law.” - Henry David Thoreau

On November 19, 2006, sixteen human rights activists were arrested after carrying the protest to close the School of the Americas (SOA/WHINSEC) onto the Fort Benning Military Reservation, publicly defying the laws which prevent political speech on military bases and making a bold call for justice and accountability.

The sixteen were held at Ft. Benning and charged for "unlawful entry" by the federal court. Fifteen of the sixteen arrested were released after bail money ($500 - $1,000/per person) was posted. One person, Margaret Bryant-Ganer, opted to remain in prison, awaiting trial; she was held at Muscogee County Jail in Columbus, Georgia. The sixteen appeared in federal court in Columbus on January 29, 2007.

Click on the names below to read statements and biographical information of this year's POCs. The "SOA 16" are:

Margaret Bryant-Gainer, 38, of Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia

Tina Busch-Nema, 48, Kirkwood, Missouri

Don Coleman, 69, a co-pastor at the University Church, from Chicago, Illinois

Valerie Fillenwarth, 64, a homemaker from Indianapolis, Indiana

Philip Gates, 70, a retired school superintendent from Prescott, Arizona

Alice Gerard, 50, a freelance journalist from Grand Island, New York

Joshua Harris, 30, from San Diego is a graduate student at Claremont University

Melissa Helman, 23, a student from Ashland, Wisconsin

Martina Leforce, 22, Berea, Kentucky

Julienne Oldfield, 69, Syracuse, New York

(Katherine) Whitney Ray, 17, Indianapolis, Indiana

Sheila Salmon, 71, Sebastian, Florida

Nathan Slater, 23, Berea / Edmonton, Kentucky

Mike Vosburg-Casey, 32, Atlanta, Georgia

Graymon Ward, 20, Raleigh, North Carolina

Cathy Webster, 61, Chico, California

Click here for actions to take in solidarity with those in prison and on probation.

http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=322

Valerie Fillenwarth



Valerie's Statement:

(excerpt)

Your Honor, Judge Faircloth, it's been said that dissent is the highest form of patriotism. I want our grandchildren to know that we can love our country enough to speak out when something is so wrong. Thank you for this opportunity to do so.

I’m here with the support of my husband of 42 years, Ed, and our family. We have seven children. Five are married and their spouses are as dear to us as our own kids. We have 17 wonderful grandchildren.

I've been participating in the annual vigils here since 1998. Hearing the names of the victims who were children has always made me cry.

In the village of El Mozote alone, 382 children were killed. Three hundred eighty-two children! Ten of the twelve soldiers who shot them were trained here at the SOA. The shell casings from their M 16's found at the site were made in Lake City, Missouri. Who was punished for this? Who even apologized? What reparation was ever made?

(snip)

Your Honor, over the door of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. are the words, "Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander."

I'm trying to not be a bystander. I hope our grandchildren won't be bystanders. And so, I join my voice to all those crying out for justice.

http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=1453

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1. ...

:kick: for the SOA 16

[Solly Mack]

2. Recommended

[Sapphire Blue]

3. Thank you, Solly Mack!

:hi:

[Sapphire Blue]

4. ..

:kick: again for the SOA 16... and for not being a bystander... and for crying out for justice.