Springfield leader opposing the SOA

I received an email that went to people across the country by the SOA Watch. I'm posting it here because it has a message from a leading Springfield activist who plans to take a courageous step later this month. "Crossing the line" refers to entering federal property at the military base in Macon Georgia which hosts the School of Americas.

Crossing the Line: A Nonviolent Witness Against Oppression

Creative nonviolent civil disobedience is one of the most important aspects of the struggle to shut down the SOA/WHINSEC and to raise awareness about the U.S. government's oppressive foreign policy towards Latin America.

This November 16-18 thousands will gather at the gates of Ft. Benning to protest the SOA/WHINSEC while simultaneous actions take place throughout Latin America and other U.S. cities. Human rights advocates from around the world and from different walks of life will engage in diverse forms of protest, civil disobedience and nonviolent direct action.

Since the inception of SOA Watch in 1990, 226 activists have collectively spent over 95 years in prison as a result of nonviolent direct action to close the SOA. These brave and loving people have put their bodies and freedom at risk in an act of solidarity towards the 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.

Diane Lopez Hughes, a 58 year old retired social worker and social justice activist from Springfield, IL is one of the courageous souls who have decided to take part in nonviolent direct action at this year's November Vigil. These are her words?

"Crossing My Own Line" - by Diane Lopez Hughes

Besides the most important reason for crossing the line at the Close the SOA Vigil this year - it is the right thing to do - my personal reasons might just strike a chord with others who have considered this act of nonviolent civil resistance in the past and may gather support from another's soul searching.

One reason is fairly individualistic: My father left Guatemala in the 1920's, and afterwards had very little contact with relatives there. His father had been a general in the Guatemalan Army, possibly in the 1880's. However, my father's paternal grandmother was a Quiche woman. Because of this background, I very likely have both victims of oppression and oppressors on my family tree. If so, whatever suffering or hardships I might experience by crossing the line and going to prison are pitifully minor in relation to the suffering and possible torture and deaths of relatives I have never known.

The remaining reasons might be more relevant, especially for some who are cognizant of their extreme privilege as citizens of the United States or others who choose to take the next step along their own paths of nonviolence.

As a citizen of the richest, most powerful country in the world, I bear responsibility for the policies of the government I have elected into office. Having received so many blessings, much should in turn be expected of me. And I want to be a model of compassion for my children, whether they follow my example as a follower of the suffering witness Christ or not.

As a Catholic who believes in the sanctity of life, I have an obligation to honor all life in word and deed. I can't just talk the Gospel; I have to follow it with my behavior. As spotty as my record is on such witness, of all places in my life to take action, standing with and for the poor and disenfranchised is one of the most important places for me.

And following along that vein, I feel called to nonviolent witness by facing the heartless policies of my government with a prayer on my lips and a smile for my arresting officer.

Admiring those who have with conviction crossed the line in the past, I hope to be such a witness to truth in my own community and among others who may one day take that additional step along their path of nonviolent witness by crossing their line.