DeRouen's defense included the claim that he didn't enter onto the military post on Nov. 21 to engage in political protest, but to pray for his country. Shuman attempted to show that his entry onto Fort Benning was no more a partisan political activity than those engaged in by the School of the Americas or its successor, the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.
Five defendants sentenced Monday and two others on Tuesday received three-month sentences and were ordered to pay $500 fines. Another defendant was sentenced to a year of probation and $1,000 fine. Two minors were given deferred sentences on Tuesday.
Tom MacLean, 79, of Ashfield, Mass., will serve his sentence in a federal medical facility.
Also Tuesday, Leila Mattingly, 63, a nun from Maryknoll, N.Y., received six months in prison, and Alic Gerard, 48, of Buffalo, N.Y., was sentenced to six months and a $500 fine.
About 16,000 protesters gathered at the gates of Fort Benning in an annual protest organized by School of the Americas Watch, which drew the likes of Martin Sheen and Susan Sarandon.
Twenty protesters were originally arrested, 17 of whom were charged with federal trespassing for climbing a 10-foot chain link fence inside the post's outer fence, which was topped with barbed wire
Five defendants sentenced Monday and two others on Tuesday received three-month sentences and were ordered to pay $500 fines. Another defendant was sentenced to a year of probation and $1,000 fine. Two minors were given deferred sentences on Tuesday.
Tom MacLean, 79, of Ashfield, Mass., will serve his sentence in a federal medical facility.
Also Tuesday, Leila Mattingly, 63, a nun from Maryknoll, N.Y., received six months in prison, and Alic Gerard, 48, of Buffalo, N.Y., was sentenced to six months and a $500 fine.
About 16,000 protesters gathered at the gates of Fort Benning in an annual protest organized by School of the Americas Watch, which drew the likes of Martin Sheen and Susan Sarandon.
Twenty protesters were originally arrested, 17 of whom were charged with federal trespassing for climbing a 10-foot chain link fence inside the post's outer fence, which was topped with barbed wire
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