Judge G. Mallon Faircloth found these ten guilty on Tuesday. Fourteen defendants were tried on Tuesday and Wednesday all found guilty with one exception. Five defendants who represented themselves were tried Thursday. All of the defendants (excepting the one acquitted) were sentenced Friday afternoon well into the night.
The “SOA 37” were among 10,000 who gathered last November to call for the closure of the notorious SOA/WHISC. The defendants peacefully crossed onto Ft. Benning, site of the school.
The “SOA 37” were among 10,000 who gathered last November to call for the closure of the notorious SOA/WHISC. The defendants peacefully crossed onto Ft. Benning, site of the school.
Judge Faircloth is known for giving the maximum of six months to SOA/WHISC opponents.
Seventy-one people have served a total of over forty years in prison for engaging in nonviolent resistance in a broad-based campaign to close the school.
Last year 26 people were prosecuted, including Dorothy Hennessey, an 88 year-old Franciscan nun who was sentenced to six months in federal prison.
Seventy-one people have served a total of over forty years in prison for engaging in nonviolent resistance in a broad-based campaign to close the school.
Last year 26 people were prosecuted, including Dorothy Hennessey, an 88 year-old Franciscan nun who was sentenced to six months in federal prison.
"Those who speak out for justice are facing harsh prison sentences while SOA-trained torturers and assassins are operating with impunity,” said SOA Watch founder Fr. Roy Bourgeois.
Defendant Sr. Kathleen Desautels, a 64-year old nun added, “The indignities I will have to experience in prison pale in comparison to what the victims of the graduates of that school had to endure.”
Defendant Sr. Kathleen Desautels, a 64-year old nun added, “The indignities I will have to experience in prison pale in comparison to what the victims of the graduates of that school had to endure.”