The Letter from Fr. Louie and Fr. Steve

Pasted below is the text of the letter that Fr. Louie Vitale and Fr. Steve Kelly were attempting to deliver when they were arrested at Ft Huachuca last November. For more info, please visit
http://tortureontrial.org/


TO: MAJ. GEN. BARBARA FAST

We are here today as concerned U.S. people, veterans and clergy, to speak with enlisted personnel about the illegality and immorality of torture according to international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions.

We condemn torture as a dehumanization of both prisoners and interrogators, resulting in humiliation, disability and even death. In addition to the hundreds of detainees who have died, we are also concerned about U.S. military personnel. Alyssa Peterson committed suicide after participating in the torture of Iraqi prisoners. Lynndie England and others have been imprisoned for their illegal activities.

We are here today at Ft. Huachuca in solidarity with tens of thousands of people at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation at Ft. Benning, Georgia (formerly known as the School of the Americas) to say that the training of torturers must immediately stop. Nothing justifies the inhumane treatment of our fellow brothers and sisters.

Torture by U.S. military personnel has reached alarming proportions and has horrified people around the world. We are convinced that the Military Commissions Act of 2006 is unconstitutional. We totally reject its conclusions. Torture is a useless and unreliable tool that leads to an accepted practice of terrorization and the rationalization of wrongdoing.

We are here today to repent and clearly state that because of our sense of moral and human decency we condemn torture.

NOT IN OUR NAME.

Signed this 19th day of November, 2006
Louis Vitale, OFMÂ Â Â Steve Kelly, SJ

A Special Appeal From Tiel --- A Caravan Rider Speaks

I'm Getting Arrested!
Wanna help buy my ticket home?

[Photo: Riders Tiel and Frankie ]

On Sunday October 29th in the middle of the night my appendix got ta tripp'n, damn near dead and puking my own feces I drove myself from South Central to White Memorial Hospital in East Los Angeles. Less than 5 hours after they had cut my stomach open and taken my appendix, I ripped three IV's out my body and despite being admitted with no insurance until late Wednesday evening, I checked myself out of the hospital and into a state of clarity. Fear fled my being like cockroaches caught by kitchen lights, and I began to believe again. I have marched, protested, lobbied, organized, and studied in my small acts of resistance against the SOA, but as I laid up in dat hospital, I could not shake a conversation that I had two years ago while in DC lobbying with Hector. Like the family ink on my arms, his words became tattooed to my soul: the blessing is next to the wound. And so I began to ask myself, if the blessing is next to the wound, why am I so scared of getting hurt?..........

I have contemplated getting arrested for two years now, but punk'd out each time. I am very aware that the materialism and privilege I enjoy (even as a homeless and jobless community organizer) are at the foundation, the very core, of my not getting arrested, of my not advancing my own struggle towards liberation and solidarity. As I thought about past SOAW protests, I was flooded by images of my elders getting arrested and taking risks that should be my own. I became enraged with myself for allowing my elders to do "my work". I mean, these folks should be kick'n me down knowledge, advising my journey through the wisdom of their mistakes while simultaneously trusting the ever changing dynamics of innovative youth, but instead are left like single mothers to perform and master all roles within the movement. This is not to denounce or minimize the college kids organizing nor to say that old folks shouldn't get arrested, rather this is a call to myself and young people everywhere, particularly those of us from the slums, ghettos, and projects of this country, to STAND UP. It's evident that the system don't give a fuck about us, but the real question is do we give a fuck about each other? It is here in this space that I made the decision to get arrested and accept the 3-6 months prison time that accompanies the civil disobedience. I have been fortunate enough to receive bail assistance but am in desperate need of funds to secure a plane ticket home. I am calling on all those visiting the blog to offer solidarity in my attempt to resist by helping me to purchase my ticket back. There are indeed many roles to be played in the movement, and I am asking those of you who are in a position to do so, to do so! Getting arrested is not the climatic point of my involvement in struggle, rather the birthplace of a new phase of activism and resistance. If indeed you are interested in helping me to secure my ticket home you can get at me via email: tielrainelli@hotmail.com or by phone 323-742-3538.

I must keep it proper and offer a few shout outs/thank yous: to my mother, a thoroughbred bottom bitch who not only taught me to ride or die for my people and convictions but who also embodied dat soldier style mentality when she did her bid behind da wall wit her mouth shut and her eyes open-I luv you girl! To my SOLA families and South Central, the lessons in love and community that I have gained from yall drive my actions, strengthen my commitment to justice, and further develop my radical will. To Marianne, whose integrity and profound commitment to non-violence has inspired, challenged, and helped to heal me. To my fellow Ragers from SCCC, youth and adult- the honesty and acceptance we share each Friday is the most important set of interactions I have yet to experience, I carry your anger and rage with me as I transform my own! To Charlita, my sister in struggle whose support and understanding has provided a space for my tears and laughter. To the entire SOAW Community whose agency, persistence, and resilience have forced me to challenge my own struggles with victimization, therefore demanding levels of self-accountability previously unseen. And to my Fly Girl, who in my first week out tha hospital nursed me back to health on levels that stretch far beyond the physical- you know what it is girl!

And finally......

To my slum livin young people search'n for meaning in a society that isolates and oppresses us, I call upon your critique, your lived experience, and your participation in the struggle. No longer should we allow others to speak for us, it is indeed time we spoke and organized for ourselves. Oppression has left us with a sickness that disrupts and perverts our capacity to love and resist and we have an undeniable responsibility to ourselves and each other to decolonize our minds and rebuild our communities.

Get Free Or Die Try'n!

In Solidarity and Struggle,

-T-

Saturday, Nov 10 --- Day 8

Today is our day of rest --- no scheduled speaking events. I (Joe) spent the day resting and catching up on emails and the blog, and tackling technical problems with my computer and camera… seems they are smarter than I sometimes.

The rest of the group headed into Austin to visit friends and a local museum.

I snapped these photos of our hosts' backyard. A very restful place indeed... We are grateful for their tremendous hospitality.

Carlos telling a story

Frankie in the hammock

Friday, Nov 9 --- Day 7

Today we left El Paso at 6 am and embarked on the longest single-day drive of the trip: El Paso to Austin. West Texas is a scenic stretch of desert, slowly giving way to greener foliage as we approached the city.

Beautiful Texas sunrise just East of El Paso

Texas countryside on the path to Austin

The drive was long, and it was a relief to arrive in Austin and be able to stand up and stretch. We got in about 5 pm in order to join local SOA Watch Austin in their weekly protest outside the capitol building. We held the sign (seen below) for an hour and had a number of thumbs-up and honks of support from passing motorists. After the protest we enjoyed dinner near the capitol before heading to stay with our host family.

SOA Watch-Austin member Ken Hayes holds up one end of the protest banner. Ken informed

us that Austin is organizing a bus to the vigil at the gates of Ft. Benning. Over 60 people from Austin and surrounding areas in Texas will be heading to the protest next week. We'll see you there Austin!

Thursday, Nov 8th --- Day 6

[Please Note: This posting has been updated as of Saturday, Nov. 10th]



Today I write to you from a small internet cafe in Juarez, Mexico. Juarez is just across the border from El Paso... so close, in fact, that we parked our van on one side of the border and walked over a pedestrian bridge into Mexico. [note: posting updated since Juarez]

Bright and early this morning we left our gracious host family in Phoenix on our way to El Paso, Texas. The I-10 interstate through Arizona and New Mexico offers stunning views of the desert landscape. The following pictures are from the road:



A red-white-and blue "A" overlooking the city of Tucson

"The Thing" somewhere in New Mexico. Never did figure out what it was though.

Tiel, doing her part to keep America beautiful...

Passing the continental Divide

We arrived in El Paso and checked in at Casa Vides, a local shelter for those in need. We would later speak and then stay at the shelter, but we took several hours to visit Juarez, just across the border. From El Paso it is possible to walk across the border, which we did. I spent much of my time at the internet café posting for the blog, and the others did some sightseeing.

Local grafitti in the aqueduct separating Juarez from El Paso, as seen from the pedestrian bridge connecting the two cities.

Frankie contemplating as we cross the border. El Paso is in the background.

Later we returned to the Casa in El Paso. There Carlos spoke to a crowd of over 85 people about the SOA and its role in US foreign policy, including his own personal story. The group was about half young people/students and half middle-age and elders from the local area. The group was very involved and asked great questions… and its organizers are planning to take a busload of people to protest at Ft. Huachuca during the weekend protest at the SOA in Georgia. The pictures below are from the event.

Carlos preparing for his speech at Casa Vides. The mural in the main room displays a quote from Archbishop Oscar Romero: "Si Me Matan, Resucitare En Mi Pueblo" --- "If They Kill Me, I Shall Resurrect In My People".

The evening event at Casa Vides, with a crowd of over 85.

El Paso, United. Way to go EP.

We wish to offer a special thanks to great folks at Casa Vides for hosting a fabulous event and for making us comfortable during our stay. And again, thank you, our readers, for your support. Together we are making a difference. What a joy it has been to meet so many people- students especially- who are asking questions, getting organized, and heading out to exercise their rights and demand public accountability. We can do it!

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

Tuesday, Nov 5 --- Day 4

Welcome to the Journey for Justice 2007 official blog!

We welcome your comments on blog postings... please click on the word "Comments" at the end of each post to leave your ideas.

We would like to announce the addition of our 4th caravan member! Tiel is a local organizer and community activist in South-Central LA, and one of the founding members of the SOA Watch - Los Angeles. She will be a valuable addition to our group! I will get a good picture up by tomorrow, along with more info about our newest member.

Today the caravan left Los Angeles and travelled along the I-10 to Phoenix, Arizona. We drove through the San Bernardino Mountains and a beautiful stretch of the desert on our way to Arizona State. The pictures below are from the road:

This one made us laugh: The orange sign says "yellow"???

Crossing the State line!

Our first stop in AZ was at Arizona State University in Tempe. The school is huge! Carlos spoke to over 50 students at an event organized by the Phoenix SOA Watch. The local chapter (which is just a year old!) made plenty of information available, and had one of the local State representatives attend the meeting to explain how the State representatives of Arizona voted on the last bill to close the School of the Americas. Way to go SOA Watch Phoenix! Pictures of ASU and the event below:

The Caravan along with Arizona State organizers

Last, we headed over to Brophy Prep in Phoenix, where Carlos related his story to over 75 students, faculty, and parents. Brophy is sending a delegation of 20 students to the protest at Ft Benning later this month... Way to go Brophy!!