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Going to SOA? What to expect. |
Current rating: 0 |
by soaw via Scott Edwards
Email: scottisimo (nospam) hotmail.com (verified) |
31 Oct 2004
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What Can We Expect at Ft. Benning this November?
November 2004 Vigil and Direct Action to Close the School of Assassins
Legal Briefing for People Considering Civil Disobedience at SOA Protest prepared by Bill Quigley.
Anyone crossing the line is technically at risk for arrest, prosecution and imprisonment. We cannot predict with certainty how the police, MP’s and courts will react to the scenario this year. In the past some people thought that first-time crossers were rarely prosecuted. That has changed. You should not cross the line unless you are prepared for the possibility of prosecution.
Though we cannot predict what will happen this year, we can tell you our assessments of the risk levels based on ten years of experience with nonviolent direct action at Fort Benning:
-- The fence and gates are across the Ft. Benning property line. Anyone who approaches the fence has technically crossed the line onto base property. In the last two years that the fence has been erected, no one was arrested during the funeral procession who did not go around, under, or through the fence. Those who adorned the fence with their memorial symbols or participated in a die-in in front of the gates were not arrested.
-- Until 2001, there was no fence or gates at the main entrance and thousands of people crossed the line as part of the funeral procession. Police responses varied from year to year, but in general, all who crossed the line were arrested and either processed at the MP station and released, or simply driven off of the base and released. When processed at the MP station, first-time crossers were given a ban and bar letter prohibiting them from entering the base again under threat of imprisonment and prosecution. Repeat crossers were released and later notified to appear in federal court on trespassing charges. More than 70 people have been prosecuted this way and received sentences ranging from one year of supervised probation to one year in prison and sometimes a fine of up to $5000.
-- In the past three years, people who have gone around, under, or through the fence have generally been prosecuted and almost all sentenced to probation or prison, and some received fines. In November 2001, more than 80 people went around or under the fence and were arrested on base property. 43 people were prosecuted, including some first-timers, repeat crossers and people who did not intend to risk arrest at all. Some had entered the base to attend a publicly advertised human rights presentation at the school, others simply made a wrong turn onto the base and were arrested. In November 2002 over 90 people crossed the line and were arrested on the grounds of Ft. Benning. This was the first year that the federal magistrate set a bond of $5,000 for the 86 who were arrested. This group also included first-timers and repeat crossers. In 2003 over 40
people were arested and held on $1,000 bond. Three refused to pay this bond, remaining in jail until their trials. Twenty seven people were prosecuted and sentenced (23 to prison time, 4 to probation). Fifteen people who accidentally drove onto Fort Benning and were subsequently arrested had their charges dropped.
--Bail: Last year the US Magistrate required $1000 bail for every single person arrested before they would be released from the Muscogee County Jail. This was an increase from $500 the year before. It should be expected that bail, possibly higher, will be imposed again.
It is difficult to predict what will happen this year. Again, everyone entering the Ft. Benning property for any reason, whether or not they have a ban and bar, should be prepared to face arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment.
Will legal representation be provided?
In previous years, pro-bono legal representation has been provided to those arrested at the November action. Organizing of a legal collective for next November is beginning now. Information will be available in the early fall as to exactly what level of legal support will be provided, both on-site during the event and through any arrests, prosecution and imprisonment that will follow.
II. Decision-Making
How are decisions made for the November vigil action?
Each year, SOA Watch holds a strategy meeting. Activists representing groups from around the country come to Washington, DC to discuss issues that will affect the movement over the coming year. A significant amount of the meeting is devoted to evaluating the November action and strategizing for the following year. The next strategy meeting will be in February 2005. Please contact the SOA Watch office for more information on attending.
The SOA Watch staff and the SOA Watch grassroots council meet over the ensuing months to incorporate that input into a broad scenario for the vigil action in November. Then the vigil is organized by the November Coordinating Team that includes a representative from each November Working group. Working groups form to make the scenario more specific and to implement it. Working groups include: puppets/street theater, stage/program, peacekeepers, scenario/direct action, legal, medics, logistics, media and others. These groups are open to new members.
How will on-site or crisis decisions be made this November?
Decisions about how to coordinate the nonviolent direct actions within the framework of the overall gathering will be made by the affinity group spokes council. Crisis decisions affecting the gathering as a whole will be made by the coordinating team.
III. Affinity Groups and Consensus Decision-Making
Are affinity groups only for those risking arrest?
We encourage everyone to come to Ft. Benning as part of an affinity group. There are roles within an affinity group for those risking arrest and for their support people. The group will agree upon roles in advance. These roles include, but are not limited to: media coordinator, medic, vibes-watcher (someone to keep tabs on the overall mood, morale and well being of the group) and support people. Each affinity group determines their own roles and responsibilities.
The role of the support person is crucial. This is someone who will track those arrested through the entire process. The support person will have all relevant contact information for those arrested and will keep their loved ones informed throughout. Also, the support person will be aware of the responsibilities of those arrested and if the process takes longer than expected, will see that those responsibilities are attended to. This person will be aware of any medical needs among those arrested and will advocate with the authorities to see that those needs are met.
Why are affinity groups being encouraged at Ft. Benning?
Affinity groups give a sense of solidarity. There is great diversity in this movement to close the SOA. People from all walks of life gather at the entrance to Ft. Benning each year. The affinity group structure provides a way to participate in a large-scale vigil like this one while maintaining cohesion within a smaller, more focused group. Affinity groups can carry flags or banners to let everyone know that your city, state, school, religious group or other affiliation is represented there.
The decision-making process is very empowering. Affinity groups provide the basis for decision-making. Most affinity groups use the consensus process, to ensure that everyone's voice is represented. With thousands of people crossing the line, there is no way to include everyone in a discussion about unexpected events. If the police or MP's surprise us with their response, those in affinity groups will have a small, trusted group to process things with and decide what to do.
Through the affinity group structure, there is an opportunity for your voice to be represented to the entire group. Each affinity group will empower a spokesperson to represent them at a meeting with representatives from all of the other affinity groups. This group would be represented in any crisis decisions that affect the vigil as a whole. (See section on decision-making process.)
Affinity groups provide invaluable support. When approached alone, the process of arrest, prosecution and imprisonment can be overwhelming. Affinity groups provide invaluable support through every step of that process. Also, in such a large action, there is no way that the organizers can provide adequate support to those arrested. Only someone from their affinity group can really be aware of all of the needs that should be followed up on.
Where can I learn more about affinity groups and consensus process?
Local nonviolence training teams can help affinity groups to form and information on affinity groups and consensus will be available at the trainings. (See section on nonviolence training.)
The Gandhian Wave is an excellent manual designed to aid affinity groups planning actions at Ft. Benning. For information on how to order on, see the resource page of this packet or by contact Ed Kinane and Ann Tiffany, who compiled the manual. (315) 478-4571 or edkinane (at) a-znet.com
IV. Nonviolence Trainings and Logistics/ Orientation
It is important that everyone participating in the vigil and action be well prepared. We ask that all participants attend a local nonviolence training session before coming to Ft. Benning (see below.) In addition it is important that everyone attend one of the logistics and orientation sessions in Columbus. Each will be offered at more than one time. One session will be for those crossing the line with the traditional funeral procession, another will be for those planning or wanting to join an affinity group action. These sessions will be offered on Saturday. A detailed schedule is available on our webpage. Contact the SOA Watch office if you are unsure of which session to attend.
Do I need to attend a nonviolence training session?
Everyone planning to cross the line or engage in any form of nonviolent direct action should attend a nonviolence training session. Everyone attending the vigil is also encouraged to attend a session. The skills learned are useful for everyone participating in any vigil, demonstration or public witness event. However, it is specific to doing nonviolence civil resistance at Ft. Benning; the training sessions will include specific information about this year's scenario because the nonviolence training teams have been oriented to issues that are particular to this year's action. It is better to begin thinking through and discussing these things now than when you arrive in Columbus.
I've been to nonviolence trainings before, why should I go again?
Nonviolence training is an ongoing process that, hopefully, continues throughout our lives. We can't go to a few sessions and consider ourselves "trained". Every nonviolence training session is different. Each combination of facilitators and participants produces different discussions, different insights.
These sessions are good opportunities to strengthen your local community. Your input into the discussions will be helpful to some less experienced members of the group. You may be refreshed by new perspectives on issues you've been dealing with for a long time.
Will there be nonviolence training sessions offered in Columbus?
A collective is forming which may be able to offer nonviolence training sessions in Columbus this year. If these trainings occur, they will likely be held earlier in the week. For people arriving Friday or later, we recommend attending a nonviolence training session in your local community before coming to town . Contact our national office with questions.
Will the logistics and orientation sessions substitute for nonviolence training?
No. The logistics and orientation sessions are large group gatherings that provide important information about the scenario, including possible last minute changes. While they will include a review of the nonviolent action guidelines and the opportunity to ask questions about the scenario, the guidelines and legal issues, it is not a substitute for a nonviolent training.
Take Action
Be a legal observer this November!
Volunteer with the Spanish language media and outreach team!
Join the Fifth Peace Pilgrimage: Atlanta to Ft. Benning -- Nov 13-21
A Call for Peacemaker Volunteers
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This work is in the public domain |
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Re: Going to SOA? What to expect. |
by wayward
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
31 Oct 2004
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Thanks for posting this. I'm planning to go with a camcorder and still camera, and there's someone who's trying to organize people shooting video so that we can pool our footage. If you're interested in participating, please email me at badadvice (at) gmail.com . |
