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Watch Alert: Julia Shideler, 2002
I wanted to let everyone know that Julia chose to cross the line at Fort Benning on Sunday, an action she had been thinking of for a long time but chose not to tell anyone because she said she did not want to draw attention to herself. While in jail with the 91 other arrestees, she was asked who her affinity group was and she answered, "The Peace Walkers." - Sister Denise
This Watch expired - 02/11/2003 |
02/16/2003 - The latest information about Julia from the SOAW web site. 2/10/03 Trial Update - Julia Shideler - Olga, WA, 24: 12 months probation suspended ----------------------------------------------------------------- 11/27/2002 I regret that I was not with Julia when she made her witness at Fort Benning during the SOA protest this year. Her courage and strength of purpose was and is inspiring to those of us who had the honor and privledge of participating in the Peace Walk From Atlanta to Fort Benning with her. John Michael Toren ----------------------------------------------------------------- 11/15/2002 - From Sister Denise, Atlanta Dojo Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo I wanted to let everyone know that Julia chose to cross the line at Fort Benning on Sunday, an action she had been thinking of for a long time but chose not to tell anyone because she said she did not want to draw attention to herself. While in jail with the 91 other arrestees, she was asked who her affinity group was and she answered, "The Peace Walkers." I told her it was odd to have an affinity group that made its way back to Atlanta and other places while she sat in jail, but she was unphased and said she never wanted to be a bother to the group. For those of you who are not aware, the authorities in Columbus decided to raise the stakes for those crossing the line this year. Everyone was required to post a $5,000 bond, meaning they had to come up with 10 percent or $500 to get out of jail. SOA Watch responded beautifully to this new twist, raising money to cover bail costs for those who did not have it. For anyone interested, SOAW is now soliciting donations to cover the bail costs and other legal costs. It seems certain that all 92 will be prosecuted and the trial is set to begin the last week in January. Because of the number of people involved, it took two days (Monday and Tuesday) to arraign all 92. They did it in alphabetical order and since Julia's last name is Shideler, she was arraigned on Tuesday. She called the temple later that afternoon, arrived by Greyhound in the evening and spent the night. She left today (Wednesday) by Greyhound again for the three-day journey to Washington state. We talked for many hours about her experience and it would be impossible to sum up everything. But I will say that Julia had prepared herself well for this arrest in heart, mind and spirit. Throughout the two days she carried a spirit of gratitude which she extended to her fellow prisoners, the guards and Judge Faircloth. Muscogee County Jail has a reputation for being one of the worst in the state and some of the women, Julia included, were kept in the Columbus stockade for one night, the oldest part of the county jail. In other words, she was in the worst part of a bad jail. Yet, she did not complain about any of it. I expect, and Julia does too, that she will get the six-month sentence with the $5000 fine. But what the prison system is going to get is a strong young woman of faith whose beautiful spirit will bring light and life into an inhuman and corrupt system. I wonder if they're ready for her. I've included all the email addresses I have of the walkers in case you did not get them and would like to contact each other. I am proud to have walked with each of you and grateful for the gifts you bring in the work for peace and justice in this world. Gassho (Palms together) Denise |
Julia's Complete Trial Statement Peacehq Home |