Thousands Protest at U.S. Army School of the Americas -- 1700 arrested

November 21, 2000 9:40 AM

Thousands Protest at U.S. Army School of the Americas -- 1700 arrested Man, that's one place I wouldn't want to be arrested.
posted by snakey (8 comments total)

I don't think Sheen was talking about Cohen being the "acting president", but rather himself (The West Wing). That's still nutty.
posted by pnevares at 9:57 AM on November 21, 2000

I wonder if they'll send DEA agents for training at the School of the Americas as part of the $2 Billion Columbian 'aid package.'
posted by snakey at 9:58 AM on November 21, 2000

It was speech-puffery. He was obviously joking around with the crowd.
posted by dhartung at 10:15 AM on November 21, 2000

Martin Sheen is a pretty cool dude. He protested at a No Nukes protest in Los Alamos last year. It's nice to see celebrities using their fame for a good cause.
posted by snakey at 1:40 PM on November 21, 2000

I could never understand why these organizations are so set on arresting people. It plays into the tactics protestors use: the more of them get arrested, the more press coverage it will get. It was clearly their intent to get arrested.

I work for a prominent political organization and no matter how unfriendly the protestors get, (blocking all exits, raiding the building) we will not have them arrested, though we could. The result: even though we had some big crowds protesting, none of it ever made even the local news.

Anyway, just a thought...
posted by Witold at 3:09 PM on November 21, 2000

This incident didn't get that much attention, what with that election thing that's been going on. From the feds POV, it probably made sense to arrest them, knowing that the media would bury the story anyway.

And hey, if you're a cop, it gives you the chance to stomp some ribs up into some nostrils.
posted by snakey at 8:26 AM on November 22, 2000

"I have a directive I mean to share with you," Sheen said. "To the secretary of defense: Dear Mr. Cohen, as the acting president of the United States, I want you to declare the School of the Americas closed."

Clearly, President Bartlett is referring to himself here, not Secretary Cohen.
posted by baylink at 6:56 PM on November 22, 2000