New Haven Independent

Colville just returned from the protest; it wasn’t her first. For Colville, a senior at Wilbur Cross High School, peace activism is nothing new. She’s the daughter of Luz and Mark Colville, founders of the Amistad Catholic Worker house in the Hill. Her dad spent a year in prison a decade ago when he participated in Maine in non-violent civil disobedience, pouring blood on a submarine carrying nuclear warheads.

(Click here to read a story about how military recruiters called her home and the home of a fellow student-protester despite their placing their names on a “no-call” list.)

When Keeley was 11, she asked to accompany Mark to Colombia, where he himself was witnessing for and accompanying peasants who had declared their community off-limits to both government and guerrilla forces in that country’s four-decade civil war, and were therefore at risk of attack by both sides. Mark thought long and hard about putting Keeley in harm’s way, but decided to take her along. (A few years later, Luz took her younger sister Soledad “Soley” on her witness in Colombia.)

That seems to be how it is in the Catholic Worker community: People put their beliefs into practice. If their children happen to share those beliefs, it seems hypocritical to deny them participation.

The action against Blackwater — a U.S.-hired private security firm responsible for the killing (in one incident) of 17 Iraqi civilians last month in Baghdad — focused on the company’s role in Iraq and the lack of accountability for their actions. The group of protesters reenacted the shooting at Blackwater headquarters in tiny Moyock, North Carolina. Seven were arrested when they “died” and refused to leave the property. Mark Colville was one. (Click here to read a statement by the protesters.)

Keeley went as a protester and a witness to those being arrested. She carried a sign that said, “Blackwater: Too much bang for the buck” and said the action was “very powerful.” She said law enforcement — including animal control officers — came to make the arrests. “It’s a really small place, and it took awhile for them to come.”

Asked if she thought these types of actions could help end the war in Iraq or bring justice to the families of the Iraqis killed, she said, “Absolutely. I think it has to start somewhere. Even if it’s as small as a 50-person protest, it definitely makes a difference.”

“Word gets around” school about her protest activities, Colville said.

The reaction from her peers is mixed. “Some are like, ‘Wow! I salute you, Keeley.’” Others say, “Why are you doing that? It doesn’t make sense.” Click here to listen to her describe her response to that.

Mark Colville was released after a bail hearing on Wednesday, when bond was reduced to $0. He was charged with destruction of property, trespassing and resisting arrest (going limp after being arrested and being dragged to the police wagon). He has a court date in North Carolina on Dec. 5. According to his wife, Luz, he expects to spend some time in jail.