One Colorado woman was arrested today on the grounds of Fort Benning as part of the annual vigil and demonstration to commemorate those killed by graduates of the notorious School of the Americas and to call for the immediate closure of the training institute.Solemn intonation of the names of those killed by graduates of the School of the Americas filled the air as the music team sang out each name from the stage during this morning's mock funeral procession in front of the entrance to Fort Benning. The base is home to the US Army School of the Americas, renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (SOA/WHINSEC) in 2001, a training facility that has turned out some of Latin America's most notorious killers and continues to be implicated in human rights abuses today.“We're here this weekend because inequality and oppression continue, and the School of the Americas plays a role in that,” said Jimena Paz, a leader in the Honduran resistance movement. “In my country SOA graduates continue to repress social movements who stand up against a coup led by graduates of this school right here in Fort Benning.”
Theresa Cusimano, arrested today for her act of civil disobedience, served as a public interest advocate for over 20 years. Before her action today, she spoke of her motivations.“When you witness injustice, it changes you,” said Cusimano, 43. “You can't function in the world the way you did before bearing witness.”
VIDEO- theresa crossing the line http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2brAAhFAvI&feature=player_embedded
UPDATES from COLUMBUS:
Sunday, Nov 20: 3 pm, One arrested, thousands peacefully protested at the 21st annual Vigil to Close the SOA. Click here to see photos from Sunday's powerful gathering from Tom Bottolene, MN SOA Watch.
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