Army Hits Protesters With a Musical Blast
Demonstrators gathered outside Ft. Benning to protest a military school were hit with a sonic barrage: patriotic music that Army officials blared from the main gate.
A crowd estimated by Columbus police at 8,000 gathered in an annual protest of the school once known as the School of the Americas, which they blame for Latin American human-rights abuses. It appeared to be the largest gathering in the 14-year history of the protest.
The Army’s loudspeakers, playing “The Army Song” and “God Bless the U.S.A.,” were 50 yards from where protesters were speaking. Leaders of School of Americas Watch said they planned to sue over the noise tactic.
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