report from Stop Blackwater conference in Stockton, IL

April 24, 2009

There are about 50 people here tonight, many Midwestern states are represented. We’re at a universalist church in Stockton, IL. A small town situated in rolling farm country about 3 hours west of Chicago.. The woman minister tells us that not everyone in their community ws sympathetic to their hosting the stop blackwater conference. She says they are taking a risk. We express our gratitude.

There are many stories and reminiscenses of actions flying around. Dave tells about his stepping onto the property where the US military drones are controlled using satellite communications. He says the people flying the drones in Pakistan are sitting at computer keyboards in the Nevada desert. The drones have video cameras powerful enough the operators can see the faces of their victims and their body parts flying once the missle strikes its target.

There is chit chat about the unofficial reasons why erik prince stepped down as head of blackwater followed by several senior executives. That a life of hedonism at the blackwater facility including sex and drug parties, corporate jets flying hookers to exotic destinations, allegations of extorsion,

Col. Ann wright, Jeremy Scahill, Diane Wilson, and Kathy Kelly are here. We are told that the state police expressed concern when they heard that the demonstrators from north carolina were coming. They are probably worried about what the action planned for monday at the gates of blackwater north is going to look like.

Slowly people drift off to sleep. Some of the older people present go off to the nearby hotel. Everyone except for a couple of people including myself, slept on the floor in the church sanctuary.

April 25, 2009

Awoke this morning outside to a cacophony of birds at the dawn. I thought of my mother who passed away just three weeks ago now who was born and raised in Sioux City, IA. While seven hours west of here, the countryside, wild violets in the grass I see and the bird songs I hear are probably what she grew up with.

As people awaken and drift downstairs, the kitchen becomes the center of activity. Breakfast is cooked and consumed. People are hungry. While there is no group prayer, the fellowship and camaraderie of the catholic workers and their friends is sweet indeed. These are people who strive to live Christ’s teachings of peace, mercy and benevolence. Off in a corner a few men are discussing Monday’s action. Children are underfoot, Black, Asian and Latinos among them.

In the morning I am on a panel to discuss nearby Blackwater in specific, and mercenaries and private military companies in general. we talk about our respective group’s activities and how we can become better organized.

In the afternoon Jeremy spoke about how law enforcement training has advanced to where now law enforcement is being outsourced to companies like Blackwater. He talked about the triple privatization of the military, intelligence and law enforcement, the inherent dangers and loss of accountability. the overarching trend is the privatization of government, a cancer that has metastasized that must be stopped before advancing any further. as evidence of this trend Jeremy said that the economic crisis is the the privatization of government and not socialism for the rich as so many have stated.