The Peacemakers' Send-off to Jail

Here is a lovely blog post I learned of today from a Unitarian interfaith peace activist who lives near the jail where we are headed:

"Heretic, Rebel, A Thing to Flout"

I actually find it pretty helpful with a few details about the day tomorrow that I didn't know. And it's very comforting to know that the interfaith peace community is looking out for me there!

Overall, tonight I'm in a pretty good space about the days ahead. My sister-in-law and I chuckled over the website whereby you can send your loved one in jail various snack items (although the choices are heavy on varieties of beef jerky and foods covered in orange powdery stuff.) I think that it is a good site, in that if you are far away from a loved one this is a way of staying in touch--and all the moreso in facilities like the one I'm headed where you will never be able to visit in person, only on closed-circuit TV. Or, over the prison phone system which charges exploitative rates. However, I also wonder about the ways in which this website might also be taking advantage of prisoners, and I personally am not wishing to display my relative privilege in being able to receive stuff. A lot of people around me will not have relatives able to afford or access this site, to visit, to write often. Hopefully, I am at least able to share things that might come my way.

But, back to preparing one's soul for jail for civil disobedience. It's not hard to admit that in many ways I am at peace about the coming month. It feels a little like how I feel when about to depart to Iran or Afghanistan. Not really knowing what to expect, but knowing I'm ready to go.

I'm so excited and delighted at my classmates' organizing for support. In addition to learning more about the SOA, they're working on a book drive for the library at the prison, for writing, transcribing notes, relaying notes back, coming to the send-off, organizing time to speak when I get back, etc. It was incredible to hear all of this in my final days at school.

My advisor happened to be back from sabbatical for a visit these past two days and we had a few moments to talk. It was good to see him, and we joked a little that death and jail are two trips you don't have to (get to) pack for. It's true; and I just have a few more logistical things to finish off tonight and can get to bed, hopefully before midnight. Whether I'll sleep is another thing; I haven't slept well at all this semester, which may be a combination of school-related stress and previously recovering from the head injury. And to be honest, I've been more worried about making sure all the paperwork is completed before I go than about going to jail itself.

An unexpected visit from a friend of a friend, who wanted to meet me before I went to jail, and who has two friends who went to jail last year for SOA. It was good to hear from her of her friend's experiences there, very welcome actually. The rest of the evening has been phone calls from other friends and family, and a lovely dinner at the co-op (brownines, plum wine, potato soup and greens, mmm...)

Now to finish, I hope, an article on the churches of Iran before I turn in tonight.

peace,

Le Anne