My oldest son wants to demonstrate at School of the Americas next week

[OzarkDem]

A little over one year ago, he was nearly killed when hit by an SUV doing 40 mph while walking to class on his campus. He nearly lost his leg, which now has a titanium rod keeping it together between knee and ankle. He also had concussions and a cracked palate, losing most of his front teeth.

I nearly lost it this summer when he was a victim of police brutality this summer. Cops handcuffed him, knocked him to the ground, kicked and beat him with batons, because he honked his horn when their car was blocking the street (prosecutor never brought charges against him, we're preparing to sue now).

Has anyone ever attended one of these demonstrations at School of the Americas? Is there a chance of violence? I really don't want him to go.

http://www.soaw.org/article.php?id=259

[ThatsMyBarack]

1. OzarkDem: Why oh why....?

....Do cops get away with treating your (injured) son that way?! :mad:

[Rabo Karabekian]

5. Sue the Bastards!

Good point Danag,
Have you consulted with a lawyer Ozark? Sounds criminal to me...

[OzarkDem]

6. They're going to regret it

his uncle is a personal injury attorney with a long record of wins. Four months and $3,000 later, the county prosecutor didn't even bring charges. The local attorney we worked with on this case said they've seen an alarming increase in these kinds of cases. They're not sure what's going on, but the local police dept is under investigation by the DOJ for police brutality. Part of it may be an attempt to bilk fines, bail and court fees from out of town parents of college students.

I made up a t-shirt for him to wear that says "I have a lawyer, Don't tase me, bro".

[seabeyond]

18. what is going on is we are all animals. what is going on is bush and repugs

creating an atmosphere as anything can be done to anyone to keep us safe, hence torture is american. what is going on is a decade of republicans conditioning that all that do not believe like them are unchristian, unethical, useless, lower than an animal and should and could be treated in any manner cause we ask for it. listen to the decade of escalated talk of hate by the limbaughs and coulters and the aceptance of that attitude. look at americans throwing away rights right and left out of fear adn being conditioned by the right.

[Rabo Karabekian]

2. Lot of Christian Activists

I had a friend who got arrested once there. The only thing I can tell you is there's a strong religous activist contingent that protests the SOA. In other words this is not the most antagonistic (at least to the police) group of protesters to ever assemble. I can't guarantee no violence, but at least I think it's safer than many rallies your son might be attending.

[knitter4democracy]

3. I taught at a school that sends a delegation every year.

I've never heard of them seeing any violence. That was a few years back, but I think that it's mostly peaceful.

[WatchWhatISay]

4. Your son is willing to fight for his country

You should be proud of him. Other parents are proud of their childern who join the military. Yes, there probably is some danger of physical harm or legal jeapordy if he does this, but keep in perspective that he is far safer fighting for his beliefs than those kids who mistakenly sign up to go fight in Iraq. He is very wise and you should be proud of raising him with the right values.

[OzarkDem]

7. I'm very proud of him

but I don't want him to risk permanent damage to his leg, or brain injury. He's pretty vulnerable in those areas. I'd prefer he find other ways to participate without putting himself at risk of further injury or permanent physical disability.

[soothsayer]

8. He'll get another note in his permanent file (I doubt that CIA school

likes protestors very much)

[pinto]

9. A friend of mine, Catholic Charities worker,

was arrested there a few years back, spent a year in prison - *but* I don't know the circumstances. Knowing her it may have been her intent to refuse and disperse, get arrested, refuse bail, etc. as a means of highlighting her protest. I admire her for the strength of her convictions and can see your concern for your son, as well. Take care.

[OzarkDem]

10. Thanks

He's been active with that group for the last year or so. He wants to travel to S America and advocate for workers rights.

[otherlander]

13. Your son sounds like an incredibly cool person.

I'm pretty sure that the SOA Watch people are entirely non-violent; the only people who might be agressive towards the police are police dressed up as protesters.

I hope you guys win your lawsuit. No one should be able to get away with that shit.

[tuckessee]

11. You, ma'am, have the type of son

that should make a mother proud.

Guts, morality, selflessness, a sense of action.

I thank him for his service to Liberty & Justice.

[alphafemale]

12. It's Pretty Safe.

You really have to TRY to get arrested there.

As in actually go OVER or UNDER the fence and trespass on the base.

Out of thousands of people that attend each year, only a handful are arrested.

I think it's probably one of the biggest tourism events of the year for Columbus, GA. They aren't going to manhandle their golden goose.

It's also a very sobering protest as during the action on Sunday they read all the names of people slaughtered by graduates of that "school."

The names are read. Along with the ages. Both in English and Spanish. Many are children or babies. There are thousands of names. It takes hours.

Then thousands of people respond, in Spanish, "Presente!"
Meaning we are here for those who can't be. This is after each name is read.


http://www.soaw.org/

[OzarkDem]

14. Thanks, I feel much better!

I'll insist he not try to get arrested. He listened to my advice during the anti-Klan rally in his college town last spring. He stood on the curb (w/ crutches) and shouted at the Klan while his friends were tear gassed and beat up.

He's a very bright boy and I'd prefer he try to advance a humanitarian agenda as an attorney in the courtroom. He had a life changing experience when he spent time w/ missionaries among the Tarahumara natives in Mexico during his senior year in high school. He has a soft heart like his mother and wants to change the lives of people in third world hispanic countries.



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[dapoopta2]

15. let him make a stand

He is doing these things because he believes in them. Let him decide what he wants to fight for. How old is he by the way?

[OzarkDem]

22. He's 21, but physically fragile

since getting hit by a car. I think he's learned not to expect the police won't hurt him if he behaves well and follows orders.

It doesn't matter how old he is, though. I'm his mother and will always worry and try to advocate for his safety.

[David Zephyr]

16. And tell him to be careful, too.

Our town here in So Cal just celebrated the release from prison a young man who also protested there. They arrest and they imprison.

I applaud your son's courage, passion. He has a great head and a great heart to be there against the SOA, but beg him to measure his actions there because we will need that good head and heart for many, many years.

He can protest, but I have to say here, since you asked: beg him not to break the law if emotions start running high.

And my best regards to you OzarkDem.

[Rosemary2205]

17. Been there done that.

Generally the only people arrested are the ones that want to be arrested and it's very rare for there to be any sort of violence.

[Squatch]

19. Was the School of the Americas responsible, somehow

for your son's unfortunate accident or, later, the police brutality?

------
BTW, the School of the Americas is no more, since 2001.

It's now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation

[Pastiche423]

20. Only the name has been changed

(Lots of negative publicity was the reason.)

It is still the same as it ever was.

[OzarkDem]

21. No

He's not gone to that demonstration before.

He does belong to some of the antiwar groups on his campus and marched in an anti-Klan rally, which may have gotten him some unwanted attention from some elements of the local police force.

He's a ginger haired boy and stands out in the crowd.

[GreenInNC]

23. I'll be there and have been there

I have been to several protests there, none have been violent. A very peaceful group. Private message me if you have any specfic questions or I can give you my cell #.