Free the SOA Prisoners! Trial against CWer Michael Walli on Monday, June 14

SOA Watch <info@soaw.org>

Date: Thu, Jun 10, 2010

 

Four SOA Watch Activists Incarcerated:

You can jail the resister, but you can't jail the resistance!

 

While our friends Nancy Gwin, Ken Wayne Hayes , Fr Louis Vitale  and

Michael Walli - the 'SOAW 4' - are spending their days in prison for

speaking out against the SOA, those responsible for the training of

human rights abusers and for the use of torture manuals at the SOA

have never even been investigated.

 

The 'SOAW 4' were arrested by the military during the 2009 November

Vigil, when they crossed onto Fort Benning to carry our message that

the School of the Americas must be closed onto the base.

 

Ken, Louis and Nancy were sentenced to six months in prison - the

maximum allowed for the charge of tresspass. The extremely harsh

sentences are intended to deter others from following the example of

the 'SOAW 4.' Michael, who resisted the judges orders to voluntarily

return to Columbus for the court date in January, was arrested by

federal marshals and is awaiting his June 14, 2010 trial (9am, at the

federal courthouse in Columbus, Georgia) while in jail in Georgia.

 

They are in there for us, we are out here for them! Write to the Prisoners of Conscience!

 

Monday, June 14:

 

Federal trial against SOA Watch activist Michael Walli in Columbus, Georgia

Catholic Worker Michael Walli of the "SOAW 4," crossed onto Fort

Benning in November 2009 to speak out against the School of the

Americas.Michael splits his free time between the Duluth and Wash DC

CWers. He was arrested together with Nancy, Ken and Louis. During his

November arraignment, Michael told the judge that he would not pay any

bail and that he would not voluntarily return for the trial. Michael

Walli made good on his promise and Faircloth issued a warrant for

Michael's arrest. Federal marshals arrested Michael in March 2010 at

the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker House in Washington, DC.

 

Michael is currently being held at the Irwin county jail and will

stand trial before judge Mallon Faircloth in the federal courthouse at

120 12th Street in Columbus, Georgia on Monday morning, June 14, 9:00am.

 

Support Michael Walli and all political prisoners.

 

Letters of support written to Nancy Gwin, Ken Wayne Hayes , Fr Louis

Vitale  and Michael Walli would be much appreciated and can be sent to

the following addresses:

 

Nancy Gwin #94046-020

FCI Danbury

Federal Correctional Institution

Route 37

Danbury, CT 06811

 

Kenneth Wayne Hayes #94045-020

FCI Fort Worth

Federal Correctional Institution

P.O. Box 15330

Fort Worth, TX 76119

 

Louis Vitale #25803-048 FCI Lompoc

Federal Correctional Institution

3600 Guard Road

Lompoc, CA 93436

 

Michael Walli

c/o SOA Watch

PO Box 4566

Washington, DC 20017

 

Consider engaging in nonviolent direct action:

Keep the pressure on! People who put their bodies on the line to speak

in solidarity with the people of Latin America are crucial in the

struggle to close the SOA/ WHINSEC.

 

Stand up for justice at the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia in November:

SOAW.org/take-action/november-vigil

________________________________

 

Contact us.

 

Our mailing address is:

SOA Watch, PO Box 4566, Washington, D.C. 20017, USA

Our telephone: (202) 234 3440

info@soaw.org