The next day, which was Veterans Day, we arrived at Georgia Southern University around 11am to set up. It was a perfect spot in the middle of campus at the Rotunda, just outside the Russell Union. We got to meet Jonathan Harwell and several others who helped bring us to Statesboro. Around noon I had a telephone interview with a reporter from Georgia Public Radio who wanted to cover the tour. If anyone has heard this please let us know! It supposedly aired on Atlanta and Savannah stations.
We probably had a couple thousand students pass by, look at the boots, stop and engage with us throughout the day. We met some great campus activists who were set up nearby with information about Darfur. Most people were welcoming and interested in our material.
Some had friends or family that they identified among the boots. We did have one encounter with a marine who walked by, unplugged the mic while Tim was talking, yelled something and then ran off. 
Tim and Fredando managed to get him to turn around and engage with them in some dialouge. It was tense but in the end they ended up shaking hands. An example of nonviolent direct communication--not backing down but really engaging someone in a conversation about the issues.
We especially enjoyed meeting Rosemarie Stallworth-Clark, an educator for peace who also worked hard to bring us to Georgia Southern.
It was great to be on campus on such a beautiful day interacting with so many interesting people. We learned that there are many progressive people in Statesboro working for peace and justice and we look forward to more collaboration in the future. And a special thanks to Jonathan and Lori for the hospitality!
Christina Repoley
American Friends Service Committee/ Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition
Addendum to Statesboro
It should be noted that we experienced some of the best Southern hospitality any of us have every experienced Monday evening. Julie and Jonathan Harwell fixed us an amazing vegan spread--roasted potatoes, Carrots, onions, chilli, hopin’ Johns, and tabuli.
After dinner came mouth watering vegan chocolate cake and apple crisp. Witt, Fredando, and I couldn’t stop smiling as we ate the apple crisp. It was like eating sunshine, yum!
Our hosts had candles burning in every room, multiple soap selections, and a phenomenal breakfast spread. Of course they saw us off with a mountain of food to take on the road.
BIG PROPS TO STATESBORO!!!
Tim Franzen
Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition
Photos by Sara Hopkins
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