USA: Express solidarity with
imprisoned "School of Assassins" protestors
Becky, Charity and Jeremy are joining hundreds who have been sentenced for actions to close the School of the Americas/WHISC (SOA). Forty Prisoners of Conscience are currently incarcerated in prisons across the United States, serving two-six months for non-violently speaking out against SOA violence. Becky Johnson, Charity Ryerson and Jeremy John appeared before Judge Clay Land in Columbus Federal court last month to receive sentencing for their respective acts of civil resistance against the School of Assassins in July 2002 and November 2002. Jeremy appeared first after his and Charity's request to be sentenced together was denied. Jeremy stated that he was in court because he had violated a law by cutting the lock on the pedestrian gate at Fort Benning, the headquarters of the SOA, and accepted responsibility for that; that laws are only valuable in the context of human relationships; and that as long as laws allow atrocities to continue, he will continue to violate them. Charity appeared next, speaking of her personal witness and experience of the cycle of violence in Northern Ireland; how the victimisation and domination of people by institutionalised forms of violence such as the military only leads to more oppression; and that she accepts responsibility for her actions but has no remorse for taking them. Becky appeared last, briefly stating that she is a passionate person; she has no shame or remorse for her actions — although she violated the law, it was not wrong to do so; and that she expected to get six months for her action. Judge Land sentenced Jeremy to six months in federal prison, $1000 fine and one year probation; Charity to six months in prison, $1000 fine and one year probation; and Becky to six months in prison and $1000 fine. Jeremy and Charity will self-report to federal prison when they receive their designations from the Bureau of Prisons. Becky started serving her sentencing immediately and is currently in the Muscogee County Jail. Her address is: Rebecca Johnson Muscogee County Jail 700 10th St Columbus, GA 31901 Please write to the prisoners. For their addresses: http://www.soaw.or SOA Watch, PO Box 4566, Washington DC 20017, + 202 234-3440