 CPTers
joined in the regular picketting in front of the gate to Camp Garcia. |
 Many
people had already crossed the fence into the Navy land while the manuevers
were in progress. Some simply crossed it to be arrested. Others snuck
across and hiked to the bombing zone, attempting to interrupt the bombing.
The navy was forced to halt bombing numerous times due to the presence
of protesters on the range. |
 Four
CPTers crossed the fence. From left are HA Penner, Mark Byler, Rich Williams,
and Brian Ladd. Mark made an eloquent statement in spanish to the effect
that this fence should not be here, that this land belonged to the Viequenses
and that the Navy should leave. |
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|
 After
being taken to the main island, they spent the night in the federal prison
in Guaynabo. The next day after appearing in court, they were all released
on bail of $300. Here they are standing outside the prison. At their trial
in June, they received varied sentences from 30 days in jail to 20 nights
in work release with 1 year probation. |
 In
San Juan we went to worship in the replica chapel. This is a copy of an
ecumenical chapel which had been built on the bombing range during the
period when it was occupied. When the Navy removed everone, they took
it down. But the Viequenses have built this replica which sits on a hillside
in San Juan waiting for the day when it can be returned to its rightful
place on Vieques. |
Back Row: John Buschert, Harold Penner, Audrey Miller, Eric Meyer, Brian Ladd Front Row: Rich Williams, Mark Byler, Matt Guynn |
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Navy
security arrived within a few minutes. The four were ordered to lie
face down, and were handcuffed behind their backs. The CPTers cooperated
in the arrest. Soon they were taken away in a jeep. The entire scene
was remarkably similar to what the CPT delegation role played a few
hours earlier.