I was at School of the America's Protest Today.

[alphafemale]

- And yesterday.

It was the largest ever. Attendance estimates are around 10K.

Were any other DU'ers there?

We just got back after a long drive home. Tired, but WOW!, what a rich experience.

It is probably one of the most profound mass demonstrations you could ever experience.

Thousands of people line up in parade fashion. Most have crosses with the name of a victim of the SOA written on it.

Others carry different sacred objects.

Names are called. Their ages are called.

88 years old. 45 years old. 9 years old. 8 months old. 3 Days old.

The age called is when they were killed by a graduate or action of the SOA.

After each name and age, the crowd responds "Presente!" Each person lifts a sacred object skyward.

Fists, peace signs and empty hands raise also.

The point of the SOA procession is that we, the living, come to be "Present!" for those who were slaughtered because of the SOA.

Name after name.

And that's before you take the first step on the procession.

[Lady Freedom]

1. Good for you!

Keep it up!

[DemBones DemBones]

4. Hey, Lady F! The dog in your logo looks like my yellow Lab!

"I'm such a yellow dog Democrat I even have a yellow dog for a pet." :7

[JohnKleeb]

2. how neat

No I wasnt there being I dont live near where Ft Benning I think it is. I know you're a Dean supporting judging by your avatar but, my candiate had some great words on it.He even got the endorsement of a priest who is one of the big opponents against it. Seems like a great group and I am glad you had a good time.

Kucinich on School of Americas

"I stand against terror and violence and in solidarity with the victims of the School of the Americas graduates. I support nonviolent demonstration against the SOA. The United States' ability to persuade other nations to investigate terrorism will be strengthened by the closing of a US school that has trained over 60,000 Latin American soldiers to wage war against their own people, against union organizers, religious workers, teachers, and student leaders. As president I will close the School of the Americas."

[alphafemale]

7. There were many DK folk there

It was a great day. Even the weather was beautiful today.

November in GA can be "iffy."

[JohnKleeb]

9. Terrific

Just wanted to let you know that he has a view on this. School of Americas is actually one of the things I use to defend Catholics, a good amount of Catholic leaders are against this. Its horrible isn't it. Good for you for going.

[alphafemale]

12. There were two or three buses from Minnesota

You are from Minnesota aren't you?

(or am I getting Du'er's confused again?)

They were a cheerful group.

And being coatless in November had nothing to do with this. They swore.

On a pack of Ho-Ho's

[JohnKleeb]

13. me from Minnesota?

no way, I am from Virgnia but theres two guys here my age that are from Virginia and one of em is a Kucinich supporter. Hey its ok. I am only 16 remember so it would be hard for me to go but this seems neat.

[alphafemale]

14. My teen kids have a LIB'RAL momma!

I "drag" them around to all these dang protests.

[JohnKleeb]

15. my mom is apolitical, I guess a centrist and my dad I guess liberal

and a Kucinich supporter thanks to me :D.

[DemBones DemBones]

3. Good for you! You really should post about it in GD, with a link to

a news story. I knew the SOA protest was this weekend but this is the first "report" I've seen on it -- and I like the details you gave better than the usual reports focusing on arrest totals. Maybe no one was arrested this year?

[alphafemale]

6. About 30 arrested.

And one poor girl from Iowa was stranded because ALL her "Car Mates" got arrested.

[Sting]

5. Sweet!

Keep up the good work!

[Sting]

8. I have a question about the SOA...

I know little about it, except that they kill innocent people in other countries. My question is: how is this institution legal? How come I've never heard about it until a month ago? (ok, maybe 2 questions.)

[alphafemale]

10. Here's their link.

Much info.

http://www.soaw.org/new/

Indy Media Atlanta also has some great pics and stories of Saturdays and todays events.

[Sting]

11. Ok. Thanks!

:hi:

[Melodybe]

16. Good for you! I would be very proud of myself.

There will be more and more protests from now until next Nov. WE may not be getting much main stream media now, but it is still early. Keep up the good work!

So what will you do when Bush looses next year? We are going to have the biggest party from here to Memphis.

[DoNotRefill]

17. What was the deal with the music?

did it hinder the protest?

[alphafemale]

18. Not at all really. It was annoying but it wasn't louder than ours.

The only person it came close to interfering with was Pete Seeger playing.

And the "goosestep" music was shut OFF shortly after he began singing. I don't know if it was shut off out of respect to Pete or if there were behind the scenes negotiations that I didn't know about.

They did still soundblast us sporatically after that.

Besides the tactic wasn't effective in the first place.
Rather than disheartening people it was emboldening them.