Friday, March 23, 2007
Jailed in Mississippi
Today I spent 7 hours in a jail cell in Clinton , MS for taking 4 steps onto Mississippi College
Just two days ago five Equality Riders were arrested for writing messages of affirmation and love in chalk on the sidewalks of Baylor University. The riders were arrested with a student from Baylor, whose courage I admire and hope to emulate. All took a stand in order to deliver a message to silenced LGBT students at the college. For this they were held 26 hours, forced to sleep on a concrete floor, and given a $2000 fine. The female riders and one transgender rider were forced to strip to be searched. For writing messages of love.
I stood in court less than four hours ago before a judge that talked about teaching children lessons. This was my first time being arrested for social justice, along with one other rider today. However, the other three arrested has all been charged with trespassing for social justice movements. I stood there and faced the greatest fear I have felt on the ride so far. I was terrified that my comrades would be sentenced to jail time while I was only given a fine. Had this happened I would have stood up and demanded that my sentence equal theirs. I could not bear to see my friends go to jail while I went free.
Instead, the two of us with no previous charges were given a $250 fine and 10 days in jail, suspended on the condition of good behavior for two years. The other three riders were given a $250 fine, 20 days of jail suspended on good behavior, and four days of community service, meaning they will miss the next two stops of the Equality Ride.
We now all face the probability of serving hard jail time because we are willing to stand up and not be silenced. I will persevere on. I do not plan on changing my actions because of the threat of jail. If I did that would be letting them win. The message that we carry to these schools is too important for that.
I do ask one favor. Send your prayers, your positive energy, and your good will to all of us on the Equality Ride. We are only just entering the Deep South. The danger we face is real and it is here. We will need all the support we can get.
www.equalityride.com
Just two days ago five Equality Riders were arrested for writing messages of affirmation and love in chalk on the sidewalks of Baylor University. The riders were arrested with a student from Baylor, whose courage I admire and hope to emulate. All took a stand in order to deliver a message to silenced LGBT students at the college. For this they were held 26 hours, forced to sleep on a concrete floor, and given a $2000 fine. The female riders and one transgender rider were forced to strip to be searched. For writing messages of love.
I stood in court less than four hours ago before a judge that talked about teaching children lessons. This was my first time being arrested for social justice, along with one other rider today. However, the other three arrested has all been charged with trespassing for social justice movements. I stood there and faced the greatest fear I have felt on the ride so far. I was terrified that my comrades would be sentenced to jail time while I was only given a fine. Had this happened I would have stood up and demanded that my sentence equal theirs. I could not bear to see my friends go to jail while I went free.
Instead, the two of us with no previous charges were given a $250 fine and 10 days in jail, suspended on the condition of good behavior for two years. The other three riders were given a $250 fine, 20 days of jail suspended on good behavior, and four days of community service, meaning they will miss the next two stops of the Equality Ride.
We now all face the probability of serving hard jail time because we are willing to stand up and not be silenced. I will persevere on. I do not plan on changing my actions because of the threat of jail. If I did that would be letting them win. The message that we carry to these schools is too important for that.
I do ask one favor. Send your prayers, your positive energy, and your good will to all of us on the Equality Ride. We are only just entering the Deep South. The danger we face is real and it is here. We will need all the support we can get.
www.equalityride.com
By: Radikal Insight
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