Wednesday, Nov 7 --- Day 5

Today our caravan was able to visit Fr. Louie Vitale at the Imperial County Jail in El Centro, CA (for more on Fr. Louis, see the Nov. 4 posting below). Driving from Phoenix it took over 4 hours each way, but we all felt that this trip was a very important one. We left Phoenix at 4:30 pm in order to arrive for his 9:00 pm visiting slot. By the time we made it back to Phoenix it was nearly 3 AM ... but well worth the sacrifice.

The picture to the left was taken when Fr. Louie was arrested in D.C. some time ago

Due to prison regulations only two of us were able to visit him inside the building, so Carlos and Frankie went in while Tiel and I waited outside. Fr Louie was very surprised and pleased that our delegation was able to make the trip to see him on our way to Ft Benning. He is in good spirits and reports that the prison has accomodated his request for vegetarian food. They are keeping him in solitary confinement, meaning that he is by himself in his cell for 23 hours a day. We believe that this decision is for political reasons; it is not due to his health (he reports feeling well) and he did not request solitary. He is lonely at times and would appreciate letters from anyone who wishes to write him... I shall post his address below. He gave Carlos a message to deliver to the crowd at the gates of Ft. Benning, and another for me to post here... however he gave it to Frankie and Frankie wrote in Spanish, so as soon as I can translate I will post it here for you! Fr Steve Kelly's address is listed below also.
.................................

Louis Vitale

ID# 292487

Booking # 879645

Imperial County Jail

P.O.Box 679

El Centro, CA 92244

..................................

Fr. Louie, PRESENTE!

.........................................
Stephen Kelly #00816111
CCA
P. O. Box 6300
Florence, AZ 85232
........................................

Fr. Stephen, PRESENTE!

Tiel snapped this shot of a gorgeous Arizona sunset as we departed for El Centro

Frankie, Tiel, and Carlos outside the Jail in El Centro

For more information, please visit http://tortureontrial.org/

Earlier Wednesday, Carlos presented his story to two morning classes at Brophy Prep in Phoenix. At lunch, we met with the 20 students from Brophy who will be attending the SOA protest later this month. The students asked excellent questions of Carlos, and we look forward to seeing them in Columbus!

This is a statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola on the grounds at Brophy

Our Tuesday event at Arizona State made the school paper! Please read the article --- http://www.asuwebdevil.com/issues/2007/11/07/news/702641