Fifth Column: Green activist prevented from boarding plane

[Randy Earnest]

To my knowledge, isn't this the first instance reported of someone who fits
a "political profile," as opposed to a racial profile, being denied flight
access?  I called Oden, and she said that the story is true. No agency has
contacted her to offer an apology or rationalization for the action.  I
haven't seen any other coverage, but apparently she's being described as
"uncooperative."  This came about because one of the National Guard grabbed
her arm and proceeded to tell her of his thoughts concerning the attacks, at
which point she pulled away.
Randy Earnest


> GREEN PARTY USA COORDINATOR DETAINED AT AIRPORT
> PREVENTED BY ARMED MILITARY FROM FLYING TO GREENS MEETING IN CHICAGO
> "I was targeted because the Green Party USA opposes the bombing of
innocent
> civilians in Afghanistan."
> --Nancy Oden
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> November 2, 2001
>
> MEDIA ALERT:
>
> GREEN PARTY USA will hold press conference in CHICAGO
> SATURDAY, NOV.  3
> 10 a.m.
> at the J. Ira and Nicki Family Hostel
> 24 East Congress Parkway (at Wabash), 2nd floor
> ------------------------------------------------
>
> GREEN PARTY USA COORDINATOR DETAINED AT AIRPORT
> PREVENTED BY ARMED MILITARY FROM FLYING TO GREENS MEETING IN CHICAGO
>
> Armed government agents grabbed Nancy Oden, Green Party USA coordinating
> committee member, Thursday at Bangor International Airport in Bangor
Maine,
> as she attempted to board an American Airlines flight to Chicago.
>
> "An official told me that my name had been flagged in the computer," a
> shaken Oden said. "I was targeted because the Green Party USA opposes the
> bombing of innocent civilians in Afghanistan."
>
> Oden, a long-time organic farmer and peace activist in northern Maine, was
> ordered away from the plane. Military personnel with automatic weapons
> surrounded Oden and instructed all airlines to deny her passage on ANY
> flight. "I was told that the airport was closed to me until further notice
> and that my ticket would not be refunded," Oden said.
>
> Oden is scheduled to speak in Chicago Friday night on a panel concerning
> pesticides as weapons of war. She had helped to coordinate the Green Party
> USA's antiwar efforts these past few months, and was to report on these to
> The Greens national committee. "Not only did they stop me at the airport
> but some mysterious party had called the hotel and cancelled my
> reservation," Oden said.
>
> The Greens National Committee -- the governing body of the Green Party USA
> -- is meeting in Chicago Nov. 2-4 to hammer out the details of national
> campaigns against bio-chemical warfare, the spraying of toxic pesticides,
> genetic engineering, and the Party's involvement in the burgeoning peace
> movement.
>
> "I am shocked that US military prevented one of our prominent Green Party
> members from attending the meeting in Chicago," said Elizabeth Fattah, a
> GPUSA representative from Pennsylvania who drove to Chicago. "I am
outraged
> at the way the Bill of Rights is being trampled upon."
>
> Chicago Green activist Lionel Trepanier concluded, "The attack on the
right
> of association of an opposition political party is chilling. The
harassment
> of peace activists is reprehensible."
>
> For further information, please call 1-866-GREENS-2  (toll-free)
>