SOA Watch seeks injunction against security measures

COLUMBUS - The group that organizes an annual protest against Fort Benning&#39;s training academy for Latin American soldiers and police is seeking an injunction against use of metal detectors to screen demonstrators. <br> <br> SOA Watch filed the request in U.S. District Court on Wednesday asking Judge Clay Land to block a city plan that they believe will prohibit their group&#39;s constitutional right to assemble. A hearing will be at 1 p.m. Friday. <br> <br> Protest leaders claim the city&#39;s plan to use metal detectors at designated checkpoints goes against U.S. Magistrate Mallon Faircloth&#39;s ruling one year ago that by using that roadway for 12 years SOA Watch had established it ``as a public forum and a site for public dissent.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> ``If the city tries to control access and limit our First Amendment rights it will be eroding the judge&#39;s ruling,&#39;&#39; SOA Watch official Jeff Winder said Wednesday. <br> <br> Mayor Bobby Peters said the police department intends to use hand-held wands as a precaution. ``This is for the safety of protesters and spectators alike,&#39;&#39; Peters said. <br> <br> Thousands of demonstrators are expected for the vigil this weekend. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s ironic that we are in federal court again with many of the same players,&#39;&#39; Winder said. ``Except this year, we filed the injunction instead of the city.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> SOA Watch has been protesting at Fort Benning since 1990, demanding the closing of the center formerly known as the School of the Americas. The school was reopened in January 2001 as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. <br> <br> Protesters claim the school still contributes to violence and terrorism in Latin American countries. Officials say it doesn&#39;t share the more aggressive Cold War policy of its predecessor and that it has placed greater emphasis on human rights training.