Saint Louis University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., was arrested for an act of civil disobedience at Fort Benning Military Base in Columbus, Ga., Nov. 19.

Along with 12 SLU students, faculty and staff, Biondi crossed the line to protest the School of the Americas.

“The death of these Jesuit martyrs and of countless disenfranchised children, men and women compelled me to attend,” Biondi stated.

“My involvement was a very personal spiritual experience that should not be used as a sound clip on radio or television.”

All protesters who crossed the line risked being arrested and faced a several-thousand-dollar fine and jail time.

However, most protesters, including Biondi, who crossed the line were bused away to be finger-printed and arrested. They were formally served with a ban-and-bar letter. The letter states that the protester cannot legally set foot on the base for the next five years.

Later in the day, the protesters were “released” by being dropped off at one of two local parks several miles from Fort Benning.

Sherry Leveille, 56, traveled 30 hours from Redwing, Minn., to the protest. Leveille crossed the line in 1997 when she was served a ban-and-bar letter.

“It was hard not to cross this year,” she said. “Everyone that I came with this year crossed the line except for me.” Protesters who were not arrested had the option to simply walk out of the base.

During his speech to thousands of protesters on Sunday, Biondi said he was proud to represent the other 27 presidents of Jesuit universities. “I’m also proud of the SLU contingency,” he said.

“How does one find courage to overcome adversity?” Biondi asked the crowd. He continued, “No matter what age you live in, it always feels like tough times.”

Biondi concluded: “God bless you and thank you.”