The Militant (logo) 
   Vol.66/No.10            March 11, 2002 
 
 
Youth group in Georgia protests inmate abuse
 
BY BILL ARTH
SMYRNA, Georgia--Twenty people marched on the Smyrna Police Department here in what Gerald Rose, a leader of New Order, described as "the first annual Black History march in Cobb County."

New Order, a group of working-class youth in Cobb County, has organized recent protests against racial profiling and the treatment of inmates at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center. "We are attacking racial profiling, harassment, favoritism, and the violation of rights of inmates at the detention center," Rose said.

Marchers carried signs that said, "Inmates have rights too! They would be better off in Guantánamo Bay!" and "Inmates are humans! Not animals. And should be treated as such!" Guantánamo Bay, in Cuba, is occupied by the U.S. government that maintains a naval base there against the wishes of the Cuban people. Washington is currently holding under brutal conditions nearly 300 people it kidnapped from several countries.

Stephanie Johnson, vice president of New Order, reported that in preparation for the filing of a civil lawsuit they have collected the names of more than 500 inmates who have complained about conditions at the jail.

Brian Johnson, a 21-year-old member of New Order, works at UPS. "We're protesting humans being harassed by the police," he said. "We're trying to get everyone treated right; treated equally. Marching is the best way to do it."

Denise Watson, an assembly worker at Lockheed who participated in the march, said, "My son was in the Cobb County Detention Center. He has an eye injury, and they wouldn't treat it. I think inmates are still human beings, and we're trying to bring this to the forefront." Watson has also been involved in a lawsuit by workers at Lockheed against race and gender discrimination.

Cindy Lockett saw the march and decided to join. "We need to have more active participation," she said. "Issues need to be put on the table. I see a lot of injustices in my everyday living. All we want is justice."  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home