Puppetistas
Unite!
11th annual vigil at the
infamous US Army School of the Americas
By Sally Neal
What is it about puppets? They immediately steal your heart. Everyone loves them--well, everyone except cops and military. Picture a processional of huge brightly colored figures, giant suns, 10 ft ears of maiz, a two-headed (Bush & Gore) corporate-monster, Latino villagers, paramilitaries carried high above the crowd in grey cold pelting rain and sleet, paint running. This was the scene for two days at the 11th annual vigil at the gates of the infamous US Army School of the Americas, (SOA) November 19 & 20, Ft Benning, Columbus, GA. Approximately 10,000 non-violent protesters gathered once again to bear witness to the death, torture, rape, disappearance of tens of thousands of innocent citizens across Latin America at the direction of SOA trained military personnel.Organized by Mad River Puppets of Tacoma Washington, who have been travelling with the anti-globalization movement, this was their first appearance at the School of the Assassains. Dumpsters raided all week supplied large chunks of cardboard and junk that was transformed into art for the streets by a couple hundred enthusiastic students, families, union members, activistas.
Is it the very uncomfortable, in-your-face symbolism of what is wrong in Amerika that is so threatening to the police and military? At any rate, puppets always get busted, confiscated, martyred to the trash, and this event was no exception! Check elsewhere in this newsletter for a way to get involved as a puppetista.
