TRIAL STATEMENT by Joan C. Anderson January 28, 2008
My name is Joan Anderson. My husband is Tom, and we have three daughters, Tara, Katie, and Lisa. I was born and raised in Wyoming. I can go a few miles from my home, turn around in a circle and see the horizon where the land meets the sky in every direction. As a native Wyomingite, space and freedom are very important to me. I love this country.
I’ve had a difficult time writing this statement. The reasons for committing an act of nonviolent civil disobedience that becomes an action for justice are highly personal. The reasons lie deep within my heart and in my gut. It’s greatly about acknowledging the Spirit of God within me.
I have been a public health nurse for 40 years. I am well aware of my rights and responsibilities. I plead GUILTY to “crossing the line” and trespassing on the grounds of Fort Benning on Nov. 18th. It is one of the most important things I have ever done in my life. I have never been arrested before nor do I plan on being arrested again. I will honor the Ban and Bar Letter. I am a care-giver for my 88 year old mother and both she and I would prefer that I get probation.
I join the ranks of those who have been here before me and those who are with me today to denounce the well documented atrocities performed by graduates of the SOA/WHINSEC. I am concerned that my taxes and your taxes are keeping this school operational. IT’S TIME TO STOP THE FUNDING NOW! Martin Luther King, Jr. stated that an individual is expressing the very highest respect for law if he breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust and accepts the penalty in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice.I come from the same city as the Vice President of the United States. In fact, I was a year behind him in high school. And also living there is a former United States Ambassador to Guatemala in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I find it interesting that they have never been in a courtroom like the one I am in today to answer for the tortures that happened during their watch. I crossed the line nonviolently opposing that torture and I face prison time. And so injustice continues. I am proud and honored to stand in solidarity with the poor and powerless in Latin America who have been and are victims of this flawed U.S. foreign policy. I pray that one day human rights will become a priority in this country. GOD BLESS US
Sunday, February 3, 2008
ON TRIAL
It was 71 days from November 18th to January 28th. Some days it was much longer and other days the time seemed to fly by. But it finally came, as most things do. It was worth waiting for, despite moments of extreme anxiety and down right fear.
I went on trial in federal district court in Columbus, Georgia along with ten other defendants, charged with trespassing onto the grounds of a military installation. The site was Fort Benning, the purpose: to non-violently oppose the School of the Americas, also known as the Western Institute of Security Cooperation. It has a well documented record of training Latin American security personnel in methods of torture. They, in turn, return to their respective countries and many of them make the school proud. We were all charged with a misdemeanor.
We knew, from past experiences with the Judge (G. Mellan Faircloth) that the trial and sentences would be pretty much cut and dried. Some of us pleaded guilty, some non-guilty with stipulations, and one went to trial. I pleaded guilty, because I was guilty and said so. I was allowed to give a statement which I will post on this blog. My sentence was a $500.00 fine and 30 days in prison. As a care-giver for my elderly mother I requested probation. The Judge didn't care much about my situatuion. The other defendants received similar sentences.
To be truthful, I'm glad I got prison time. It's about the only way I can show how strongly I feel about human rights abuses practiced by our government. It's time that regular, normal people like myself stand up to the big powers that be and say, ENOUGH!!!! And my time is now.
And so the waiting begins again. Actually, I'm becoming pretty good at it... Just to let everyone know that I will be back in Columbus in November, to continue demonstrating and working to stop the funding for this school. Please think of me in prison by writing to your congress-person demanding that their vote will be to eliminate this "teaching torture" institution.
Pax Tecum
I went on trial in federal district court in Columbus, Georgia along with ten other defendants, charged with trespassing onto the grounds of a military installation. The site was Fort Benning, the purpose: to non-violently oppose the School of the Americas, also known as the Western Institute of Security Cooperation. It has a well documented record of training Latin American security personnel in methods of torture. They, in turn, return to their respective countries and many of them make the school proud. We were all charged with a misdemeanor.
We knew, from past experiences with the Judge (G. Mellan Faircloth) that the trial and sentences would be pretty much cut and dried. Some of us pleaded guilty, some non-guilty with stipulations, and one went to trial. I pleaded guilty, because I was guilty and said so. I was allowed to give a statement which I will post on this blog. My sentence was a $500.00 fine and 30 days in prison. As a care-giver for my elderly mother I requested probation. The Judge didn't care much about my situatuion. The other defendants received similar sentences.
To be truthful, I'm glad I got prison time. It's about the only way I can show how strongly I feel about human rights abuses practiced by our government. It's time that regular, normal people like myself stand up to the big powers that be and say, ENOUGH!!!! And my time is now.
And so the waiting begins again. Actually, I'm becoming pretty good at it... Just to let everyone know that I will be back in Columbus in November, to continue demonstrating and working to stop the funding for this school. Please think of me in prison by writing to your congress-person demanding that their vote will be to eliminate this "teaching torture" institution.
Pax Tecum
Friday, December 28, 2007
WAITING
It has been over a month since my arrest at Fort Benning. I had lots to do with the busyness of Christmas, but still moments of anxiety and sheer fear about going to prison hit me. Nagging doubts about my strength to see this through, and the waiting, waiting, waiting.
Christmas was wonderful. All the family and friends together. I had Christmas greetings from old friends who remain so supportive after all these years. My new friend, Diane, who was arrested with me and my mentor, Sister Sheila in Florida, who was arrested last year have been a big positive part of this waiting time. Both have added depth and perspective to the act and action I am now a part of. Besides trying to make this time a learning experience about SOA/WHINSEC for people around me, I am constantly more aware of the joy of freedom, in making choices, of options, of movement, and of living the moment my way.
Even though I feel weak and frightened, and look at myself as "scared as a chicken", I remember the poem by Teddy Roosevelt, and I feel better.
It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out
how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena
whose face is marred by dust and threat and blood
who strived valiantly, however errs and comes short again and again.
Who knows great enthusiasm, great devotions,
the triumph of high achievement and who, at worst, if he fails
at least fails while bearing greatly, so that his place shall never be
with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.
And with those thoughts in my head, I continue to wait. My trial will be on Jan. 28, 2008 in Columbus, Georgia. Pax Tecum
Christmas was wonderful. All the family and friends together. I had Christmas greetings from old friends who remain so supportive after all these years. My new friend, Diane, who was arrested with me and my mentor, Sister Sheila in Florida, who was arrested last year have been a big positive part of this waiting time. Both have added depth and perspective to the act and action I am now a part of. Besides trying to make this time a learning experience about SOA/WHINSEC for people around me, I am constantly more aware of the joy of freedom, in making choices, of options, of movement, and of living the moment my way.
Even though I feel weak and frightened, and look at myself as "scared as a chicken", I remember the poem by Teddy Roosevelt, and I feel better.
It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out
how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena
whose face is marred by dust and threat and blood
who strived valiantly, however errs and comes short again and again.
Who knows great enthusiasm, great devotions,
the triumph of high achievement and who, at worst, if he fails
at least fails while bearing greatly, so that his place shall never be
with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.
And with those thoughts in my head, I continue to wait. My trial will be on Jan. 28, 2008 in Columbus, Georgia. Pax Tecum
Friday, November 23, 2007
CROSSING THE LINE
While attending the demonstration to close the SOA at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia the week-end before Thanksgiving, after a year of prayer and discernment, I joined ten other activists and "crossed the line".
We were arrested and charged with federal criminal trespass on a military reservation in connection with an act of nonviolent civil disobedience. Since 1990, 226 activists have spent 95 years in prison as a result of nonviolent direct action to close the SOA/WHINSEC. They have put their bodies and freedom at risk in an act of solidarity toward victims and survivors of human rights abuses and those who are forced to live under SOA/WHINSEC sponsored violence on a day to day basis.
My trial will be on Jan. 28, 2008 in Columbus, Georgia. I will be sentenced to federal prison time. I ask for your prayers.
You can read about the School of the America's/WHINSEC in detail on the SOAW website. Their link is on this blogsite. They are a school the Pentagon funds with taxes we pay. They train soldiers from Latin American countries to torture, kill, and victimize their own people in an attempt to keep their countries unstable, allowing the U.S. and their corporate partners to control valuable resources such as the oil rich areas of South America.
Ugly? You bet. The government likes to keep the program as quiet as possible, and that's why you have probably never heard of it. But the word is getting around. There have been thousands of demonstrators at Fort Benning since 1990 demanding the school's closure, and one of these days, it will happen. If I can help make that happen, it will be well worth the fact that I'm soon to become a "prisoner of conscience".
Pax Tecum
We were arrested and charged with federal criminal trespass on a military reservation in connection with an act of nonviolent civil disobedience. Since 1990, 226 activists have spent 95 years in prison as a result of nonviolent direct action to close the SOA/WHINSEC. They have put their bodies and freedom at risk in an act of solidarity toward victims and survivors of human rights abuses and those who are forced to live under SOA/WHINSEC sponsored violence on a day to day basis.
My trial will be on Jan. 28, 2008 in Columbus, Georgia. I will be sentenced to federal prison time. I ask for your prayers.
You can read about the School of the America's/WHINSEC in detail on the SOAW website. Their link is on this blogsite. They are a school the Pentagon funds with taxes we pay. They train soldiers from Latin American countries to torture, kill, and victimize their own people in an attempt to keep their countries unstable, allowing the U.S. and their corporate partners to control valuable resources such as the oil rich areas of South America.
Ugly? You bet. The government likes to keep the program as quiet as possible, and that's why you have probably never heard of it. But the word is getting around. There have been thousands of demonstrators at Fort Benning since 1990 demanding the school's closure, and one of these days, it will happen. If I can help make that happen, it will be well worth the fact that I'm soon to become a "prisoner of conscience".
Pax Tecum
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
OF THIS AND THAT
Since my retirement one of my projects is to re-read some of the classics I read while in college. I just finished REPORT TO GRECO by Nikos Kazantzakis. What a gift that book is. He writes of his tumultuous life "wrestling with God" and when talking with his friend, Zorba speaks of the universe following a "divine rhythm. Seeds in the ground, birds, stars,--all obey. Only man lifts his hand in rebellion and wants to trangress the law and convert obedience into freedom. This is why he alone of all God's creatures is able to sin. To sin--what does that mean? It means to destroy harmony." I think the world is full of sinners today.
I travelled to Torrington (a town in southeastern Wyoming) to visit Heartland Biocomposites (http://www.heartlandbio.com/) where they re-cycle plastics to make fencing which is stronger then wood and has a lifetime warrenty. What a neat thing! We would like to start a recycling project here in Casper to supply Heartland with the plastic they use, and are doing the research to get that done.
I attended a book signing at Casper College over the week-end. The author is Lynne Cheney, the wife of the vice-president. The book title is BLUE SKIES, NO FENCES. It is about her life growing up in Casper in the 40's and 50's. I was one year behind her in school and our lives are similar in that regard. I remember Dick and Lynne in high school. Dick was Darth Vador even back then, quiet, surrounded by his group, not reaching out much and powerful behind the scenes. Lynne was always friendly and felt comfortable talking to everyone. I went, feeling I was at a conservative love fest, mainly because I love Wyoming history. Her book brought back many memories of a simpler time. All of us are connected, even if we don't much want to acknowledege it.
Pax Tecum
I travelled to Torrington (a town in southeastern Wyoming) to visit Heartland Biocomposites (http://www.heartlandbio.com/) where they re-cycle plastics to make fencing which is stronger then wood and has a lifetime warrenty. What a neat thing! We would like to start a recycling project here in Casper to supply Heartland with the plastic they use, and are doing the research to get that done.
I attended a book signing at Casper College over the week-end. The author is Lynne Cheney, the wife of the vice-president. The book title is BLUE SKIES, NO FENCES. It is about her life growing up in Casper in the 40's and 50's. I was one year behind her in school and our lives are similar in that regard. I remember Dick and Lynne in high school. Dick was Darth Vador even back then, quiet, surrounded by his group, not reaching out much and powerful behind the scenes. Lynne was always friendly and felt comfortable talking to everyone. I went, feeling I was at a conservative love fest, mainly because I love Wyoming history. Her book brought back many memories of a simpler time. All of us are connected, even if we don't much want to acknowledege it.
Pax Tecum
Monday, October 15, 2007
October
If you ever wondered what Fall is all about, (you in Houston or Phoenix might question it), you need to be in Wyoming now. This morning the sun looks crisp, frost covers the roofs of houses, and the mountain sends her message: get ready, things are about to change in a big way. I love October. It's a transitional month, taking our hand, leading us from the heat of summer into the stark coldness of Winter. I love Wyoming. This beautiful place where nature speaks to you in the warmth of the sun, in vivid colors, in falling leaves, and in crisp fall mornings. You know that days ahead of searing cold winds and blowing snow and harsh sunlight will be here all to soon.
This special place speaks to us and prepares us for what's ahead. It's comforting to know that despite the hard winters, nature is predictable in the changing of the seasons. We know what's coming, so button down the hatches, stock-pile the pellets and get ready! Were that man made situations could be as comforting. Issues of our making such as war, injustice, poverty and the many other problems we perpetuate change in a heart-beat without warning or preparation.
Why can't we take a lesson from the seasons?
Pax Tecum
This special place speaks to us and prepares us for what's ahead. It's comforting to know that despite the hard winters, nature is predictable in the changing of the seasons. We know what's coming, so button down the hatches, stock-pile the pellets and get ready! Were that man made situations could be as comforting. Issues of our making such as war, injustice, poverty and the many other problems we perpetuate change in a heart-beat without warning or preparation.
Why can't we take a lesson from the seasons?
Pax Tecum
Monday, September 24, 2007
TIME LAPSE
There is a wonderful poem I have treasured since college days. It was written by Mary Jean Irion. I want to share it with you.
"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, savor you, bless you, before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it will not always be so. One day I shall dig my fingers into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky, and want more than all the world your return."
Our lives were suspended from the middle of August until the middle of Sept. My husband's sister, Cathy, developed a massive infection and literally fought to her death. She existed in ICU units in two cities for a month. Spending a month in ICU as an observer is an education in itself. The heros were family members who found out they could become advocates, effective and vocal, for their loved one. And nurses. I am one. But the profession I spent 40 years in reinforced my commitment to it. They were strong advocates for patients unable to speak for themselves.
But more important than all of that was the dignity of the human spirit. We, who were allowed to be present to the most important journey Cathy ever made, marvelled at her strength, at her presence in the moment, and her final total acceptance. I am not the same person I was last month. My gift in that time lapse was the stark reality of that glorious normal day!
Pax Tecum
"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, savor you, bless you, before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it will not always be so. One day I shall dig my fingers into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky, and want more than all the world your return."
Our lives were suspended from the middle of August until the middle of Sept. My husband's sister, Cathy, developed a massive infection and literally fought to her death. She existed in ICU units in two cities for a month. Spending a month in ICU as an observer is an education in itself. The heros were family members who found out they could become advocates, effective and vocal, for their loved one. And nurses. I am one. But the profession I spent 40 years in reinforced my commitment to it. They were strong advocates for patients unable to speak for themselves.
But more important than all of that was the dignity of the human spirit. We, who were allowed to be present to the most important journey Cathy ever made, marvelled at her strength, at her presence in the moment, and her final total acceptance. I am not the same person I was last month. My gift in that time lapse was the stark reality of that glorious normal day!
Pax Tecum
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)