Camp Suzanne is off to a great start today! We had 10 people camp out overnight, as well as 5 guests passing through to check it out. Somebody from Tacoma's Food Not Bombs stayed with us, and brought a giant bucket full of hot, yummy soup for everyone! :D

We started out by setting up in the little field there right outside the Fort Lewis gate. We waited for the police to first approach us, so we could begin to work out an agreement on where we could be. Several State Troopers and Military Police drove by, and nothing happened. MPs walked out to look at us, but nobody came to talk to us. They all left us alone until about 9:00 pm. At that time, a couple State Troopers came out and told us we couldn't stay there, for our safety. He called the area "State property." I am befuddled that one cannot stay on public property.

We discussed the situation with the DuPont police, whose jurisdiction is about a block away. Their police station is this tiny little shack. They were very agreeable, and told us where we could sleep for the night. We slept on some private property. The next morning, some of our people spoke to the owner a little this morning. He doesn't like the anti-war demos there, but is sympathetic to our cause because ours is more of a rape awareness demo. We picked up all the litter we could find near where we stayed, and will try to arrange to camp there indefinitely in exchange for cleaning all the litter there. And we have a temporary agreement to camp elsewhere, until we find a permanent location. But all in all, it's good, good news.

This morning, we were back outside the Fort Lewis gate. More State Troopers tried talking us into leaving, but after discussing it with them, we worked out a resolution. We could not put up our awning, but we could use it as a stand for our "Camp Suzanne" banner. Everything else about our demo is great as far as they're concerned.

Lieutenant Julie Johnson told us our awning was a "distraction" for people driving by, and therefore a safety hazard. We are complying with their decision, but we think it is ridiculous. Somebody, yesterday, had a sign stood up which said, "God bless our troops." I took dozens of pictures of two State Troopers walking by that display, and then back by it the other way, and it was allowed to stay. A pro-war sign was allowed to stay, with only one person near it, but our awning was considered too much of a distraction. They have assured us they don't play politics, but we see otherwise. We will comply with the law, but we want the State Patrol to allow us to put up awnings during the day, as we are there, to be taken back down when we camp each night.

If you support our right to have a daytime awning set up at Camp Suzanne, please call the Washington State Patrol at (253)536-4308. Ask for Lieutenant Johnson and respectfully tell her you believe a daytime awning is not too much of a distraction, especially when awareness of sexual assault is concerned.

Supplies are still needed! Umbrellas for shade (or in case it rains), camping lights, and as always, food or water. Olympia's artesian well is a great place for cold, fresh water.

My camera was working when there were only three of us the night before, but it farted out after we got 10 people. I'll get some good pictures soon.

And for inquiries about Camp Suzanne, e-mail
suzanneswiftaction@yahoo.com. Thank you all!