Update (this is all taken from my friend's blog)
I'm not going to sugar coat this post. It would be so easy for me to say right now 'some things aren't going like we want them too, but I know that everything will be okay', but I can't do that. For the first time on the ride, I am scared. More than that, I am terrified, but I don't know why.
After the arrest at Baylor for chalking on campus, 5 riders and 1 student were held overnight. A first for Equality Ride. They had to strip down in front of officers and change into jump suits and the girls had to have cavity searches, while the men did not. They are back with us now, safe, for the moment.
Today was our stop at Mississippi College. We were meet to a sea of people. When we stepped off the bus to be greeted by hundreds of people, it felt real, for the first time. This is what I thought the Ride would be more of and it was scary, yet exciting to see it for the first time. 2 riders were arrested for attempting to deliver a poster with baby photos of the riders and a quote explaining how we are all gods children. Then 3 more riders entered campus in an attempt to start conversations with students, they were also arrested.
We spent the rest of the day talking with students on campus and at a local coffee shop. I had some really good conversations and I think that others did also. When the riders got out of jail, we found out that 2 of the riders had been given a $250 fine and if they are arrested in the next 2 years (anywhere), they have to serve 10 days in Mississippi jail. The other 3 were given a $250 fine, 20 days in jail if they are arrested in the next 2 years and they have to serve 5 days of community service. That means that Katie, Amy and Vince P. will not be with us at our next stop, Union, which is terrible news. We will miss them so very much and the bus will not be the same with them not there.
After that, local police pulled over the bus 3 times in 5 minutes and the bus driver was shouted at. The 3rd time, the police yelled that we need to 'get out of town' and they escorted us out of town.
As we were walking to the grocery store, we saw one undercover cop watching the hotel and our bus. We don't know how many undercover cops we have, but I still haven't gotten used to being watched constantly.
I have a terrible feeling about tomorrow. I don't know why, but I have never felt so un-easy going to sleep. I really just want this night to be over and I want to be out of Mississippi.
I'm really worried about him. Well, everyone really. I hope things turn out okay. I hope no one gets hurt.
I'm not going to sugar coat this post. It would be so easy for me to say right now 'some things aren't going like we want them too, but I know that everything will be okay', but I can't do that. For the first time on the ride, I am scared. More than that, I am terrified, but I don't know why.
After the arrest at Baylor for chalking on campus, 5 riders and 1 student were held overnight. A first for Equality Ride. They had to strip down in front of officers and change into jump suits and the girls had to have cavity searches, while the men did not. They are back with us now, safe, for the moment.
Today was our stop at Mississippi College. We were meet to a sea of people. When we stepped off the bus to be greeted by hundreds of people, it felt real, for the first time. This is what I thought the Ride would be more of and it was scary, yet exciting to see it for the first time. 2 riders were arrested for attempting to deliver a poster with baby photos of the riders and a quote explaining how we are all gods children. Then 3 more riders entered campus in an attempt to start conversations with students, they were also arrested.
We spent the rest of the day talking with students on campus and at a local coffee shop. I had some really good conversations and I think that others did also. When the riders got out of jail, we found out that 2 of the riders had been given a $250 fine and if they are arrested in the next 2 years (anywhere), they have to serve 10 days in Mississippi jail. The other 3 were given a $250 fine, 20 days in jail if they are arrested in the next 2 years and they have to serve 5 days of community service. That means that Katie, Amy and Vince P. will not be with us at our next stop, Union, which is terrible news. We will miss them so very much and the bus will not be the same with them not there.
After that, local police pulled over the bus 3 times in 5 minutes and the bus driver was shouted at. The 3rd time, the police yelled that we need to 'get out of town' and they escorted us out of town.
As we were walking to the grocery store, we saw one undercover cop watching the hotel and our bus. We don't know how many undercover cops we have, but I still haven't gotten used to being watched constantly.
I have a terrible feeling about tomorrow. I don't know why, but I have never felt so un-easy going to sleep. I really just want this night to be over and I want to be out of Mississippi.
I'm really worried about him. Well, everyone really. I hope things turn out okay. I hope no one gets hurt.
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This picture kicks ass on many levels.