Pace e Bene staff person Fr. Louis Vitale, 77, was convicted and sentenced Monday, January 25 by U.S. Magistrate G. Mallon Faircloth to six months in prison, the maximum term for trespassing onto Fort Benning during November’s annual protest organized by the School of the Americas Watch.  Fr. Louie began his incarceration immediately after being sentenced.

Those sentenced were among the tens of thousands who gathered on November 20-22, 2009 outside the gates of Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia to demand a change in U.S. policy in Latin America and the closure of the SOA/WHINSEC. The group peacefully crossed onto Fort Benning while thousands stood vigil at the gates of the base in memory of those killed by graduates of the institution.

The following communication from Fr. Louie just arrived via Sherri Maurin and David Hartsough.

 February 2, 2010

 Many thanks for writing and for your encouragement. …. I am well here.  I was here in almost the same circumstances in 2006.  I only had three months left when I came, so they never moved me.  Since I have six months this time, the marshal thought they would move me to a Fed bed in about a month — we’ll see….

I am content. I have a small sub-cell in a larger cell with a common room with the TV (noisy and continuous), shower etc.  The sub-cell is somewhat monastic—a small window onto a yard with good view of sky and some light.  The fluorescents burned out today so I am writing by dimming sunlight.  I hope they repair it soon; 3 cell mates, young and all genial and take care of me.

……..As the Zelaya coup in Honduras becomes more blatant with its direct connection to SOA graduates, it makes the relevance of SOA Watch civil disobedience and efforts to expose these connections more evident. 

….The events of Columbia, most notably and recently the US bases, places US military in direct connection to anti-democratic forces, and adds to the oppressive elements of domination by the US empire.  At least SOAW is a voice crying out in the wilderness - to congressional halls, some (alternate) media - even to thousands of Jesuit students and faculty. 


Other things are happening — the “War Against Torture” fast and action in DC just ending with many incarcerated, and on and on — lots of CD — but we need more effective and alternative media.  But as we saw from Cairo during the Gaza Freedom March the word is getting out.

Thanks again for all the support.

 Peace,

Louie

We invite you to keep Louie and the others in your thoughts and prayers.  We also invite you to write to Louie at:

Louis Vitale #15875
Crisp County Jail
197 Hwy. 300 S
Cordele, Georgia 31015