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January 29, 2007

Live outside the Columbus Courthouse

Jules is in Columbus, GA in support of some good activists and friends. Today in Columbus, sixteen human rights activists will appear in federal court to put the SOA/WHINSEC on trial. The 16 were arrested on November 19, 2006, 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.

She will be keeping us updated all day:
8:10 am - Yes. I was up at 6 and in the procession from the the hotel to the courthouse at 7.30 am. We processed with our white crosses, about about 100 of us.

11:50 am - First two groups have been tried. First time offenders have gotten between 30 and 60 days and no fines. This is considered very lienent, the judge has a bad cold and the speculation is mixed about why he might not be living up to his prior reputation of being a 'hanging judge'.

12:03 pm - The court has broken for lunch and we expect to be let in with the last group about 130. My friend Alice is going to recite Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven" as her statement.
Judge Faircolth apparently was acting like a judge on American Idol by critizing the singing statement from the first defendant. But it seems he didn't hold it against him at sentencing. The volunteer lawyers have done a great job prepparing the defendants
and working with the federal marshalls to keep the harrassment to a mininum. We still can't figure out why ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement - a division of Homeland Security) isn''t here.

4:41 pm - The final update from the courthouse, the last group of five is done. Three of the five got 100 day sentences, one woman got 90 days, and my friend Alice received six months. Alice's case was sentenced completely differently since this is her third offense.

No one was given a fine. The street committee's take is mixed on the reasons for the subdued sentencing. The next update will be on sitting in the courtroom and the statements the defendents made.


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In orange jacket, is Mike Vosburg-Casey from Atlanta Open Door Community, Our Lady of Lourdes & Atlanta Peace and Justice | January 29, 2007

Posted by Bernita at January 29, 2007 10:00 AM

Comments

I hope things are going well for the group Jules. I'm anxiously awaiting an update.

Posted by: Rubyduby [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 29, 2007 01:52 PM

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