Sister to stand trial Jan. 27
following arrest at Ft. Benning

A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS -- Agnesian Sr. Caryl Hartjes of Fond du Lac prepares to walk around a chain-link fence separating a protest area from government property at Ft. Benning, outside Columbus, Ga. Hartjes took part in the annual School of the Americas protest in November 2002. (Photo courtesy of Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes)

FOND DU LAC -- By teaching violence, we are only creating a more violent world, said Sister of St. Agnes Caryl Hartjes, referring to the School of the Americas (SOA) located at Ft. Benning outside Columbus, Ga. "We could teach democracy. We could teach human rights. We don't have to teach more violence."

Hartjes was among 6,500 people who took part in the SOA protest on Nov. 17, 2002. The annual gathering marked the Nov. 19, 1989, killings of six Jesuit priests in El Salvador. Protesters claim the school, which in 2001 changed its name to the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, trained soldiers who have tortured and killed thousands of civilians in their Latin American countries. Hartjes had attended the protest in the past without incident.

"This year I felt that I had to do more," she said. "That's what it's going to take to close the school. At the rally on Saturday, I still wasn't sure I was going to cross. The other sisters told me they would support me in whatever I decided. We prayed and sang a blessing, and then I squeezed through the gate."

Hartjes was one of 96 people arrested for trespassing, a federal offense which can carry a sentence of six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. Those arrested walked around a 12-foot-high, chain-link fence put up between the protesters' usual protest site and the fort property. Hartjes will stand trial Monday, Jan. 27 along with Dominican Sr. Kathleen Long, and college student, William Slattery, both from the Green Bay Diocese. (See related People of Faith feature, Page 16 [of print edition; online here].)

Violent acts by soldiers trained at the School of the Americas hit close to home, said Hartjes. In 1990, two members of her order, the Sisters of St. Agnes, including a missionary from Milwaukee, were killed while serving in Nicaragua. In a separate incident, a native Nicaraguan sister was also killed.

"Three times it has hit us," said Hartjes, who works at Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac. "I have heard firsthand other Latin American stories about people being killed, raped or missing. It has propelled our whole congregation to stand up to stop the violence. Our congregation does not blame anyone. It doesn't help to blame one side. We just want everyone to stop the violence."

The School of the Americas was moved to Ft. Benning from Panama after the United States lost control of the Panama Canal. The violence began at the SOA's original home, said Hartjes.

"There are stories that they would round up homeless people in Panama and use them as target practice," she said. "Over the years, I've met some beautiful people who happened to be homeless. To look at any one person and say that their life is worthless shows that the school lost control. Nicaragua is powerless without us. They depend on the U.S. Stop teaching violence. We have to respond."

Hartjes is preparing for the worst and hoping for the best at trial. So far, the treatment of those arrested has been harsher than in past years. Unlike previous years, those arrested at the 2002 protest spent a night in jail. Previously, those who crossed the line were arrested, arraigned and released in one day. The trial date is also much earlier this year.

"I feel panic-struck when thinking about it," said Hartjes. "I was faithful to the call that I heard in my heart. I'm trying to remain peaceful and am taking care of myself. If I have to go to prison, I want to be in good shape physically."

The positive effects of her arrest include the opportunity to increase awareness about the School of the Americas through speaking appearances and the overwhelming support she has received.

"I just received a letter from a friend who is going to take the day of the trial off of work," said Hartjes. "She is going to spend the day in prayer and is going to play the flute. She is not going to play any particular song. She is just going to play and let the spirit move her. I have a sister who is going down to the trial with me. A sister from Canada will then take her place, so someone is always with me. I have been touched by the concern of so many people.

"We will close the school," she continued. "It will happen. I hope people write the politicians to voice their concerns. The protest is a response to the cries. You have to respond. You have to be true to their cries. You do it for them, the victims."