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School of the Americas School’s Out for Costa Rica
Survives Vote in Congress
Institution on Life-Support
by Pam Bowman and Hendrik
Voss, SOA Watch national Staff
The Fort Benning-based SOA/
WHINSEC gained international
notoriety for its training of Latin
American death squad leaders
and
military
dictators.
Thousands throughout the
Americas have been tortured
and murdered by graduates of
the
SOA/
how your WHINSEC.
In June 2007, the notorious
School of the Americas (SOA),
renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), only
narrowly averted a funding cut
in Congress.
In the U.S. Find out
House
of
Representative
Representatives,
In 1996, the
203 Members
Pentagon was
voted: Page 8
of Congress
forced to release
stood up for
School of the
human rights and voted to Americas training manuals, used
prohibit funding for the U.S. at the school for at least a
military training camp for Latin decade, that advocated the use
American soldiers, but 214 of torture, execution and
caved in to Pentagon pressure blackmail.
Despite this
and voted to continue funding admission, no one has ever been
its operations.
held accountable for the use of
Photo: Father Roy Bourgeois, President Oscar Arias and Lisa Sullivan-Rodriguez
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - Costa
Rica joined the growing number
of countries that reject the School
of the Americas (SOA/WHINSEC)
and declared that it will no longer
More information about the Latin America Project on page 3
these manuals. No independent
investigation has ever taken
place.
The public outcry and the results
of grassroots research tracing
hundreds of SOA graduates to
the most high profile massacres
Continued on Page 9
When the Chickens Come Home to Roost
Gangs in the Americas and the Cycle of Violence and Domination
While only a small
percentage of Latinos is
connected to gangs, their
depiction in the
media often
includes racist
gang stereotypes.
by Guadalupe Chaves and Tiel Rainelli,
SOA Watch Southern California
Images of young Latino men
with tattoos are often used
by the media to generate
fear and anti-immigrant sentiments. When individuals
and their experiences are
dehumanized enough,
many people turn away
in fear. But if we step
beyond
those
broad stereotypes
and take a closer
look, we can see
that those tattoos
tell war stories of
long before their
wearers were
born and how
their eyes offer
send any of its police forces to be
trained at the school.
The announcement was made by
Costa Rican president and Nobel
Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias.
insights into the psychological military aid and School of the
trauma and effects of repres- Americas training for the
sion and war. We see Children Salvadoran army that was
of War, some of whom have systematically violating human
established one of the most rights in El Salvador. U.S.
well-organized and largest num- military aid, training, and on-thebering street gangs in the coun- ground advisors provided the
try. Mara Salvatrucha (MS 13), government of El Salvador
a Salvadorian street gang with the resources and
know-how
formed in
U.S.
military
training
Los Angeto terrorize
provided the knowles operthe civilian
population.
ates now
how to terrorize the
out of at
civilian population.
The war
least 31
left over
states and three countries. MS 13
70,000 dead and not a single
has spread like a wild fire:
soul untouched. Over two
sweeping across povertymillion people fled El
stricken areas of Central and
Salvador with a great
North America. The formation
majority
of
them
of MS 13 has a unique origin
immigrating into the United
that needs to be understood.
States. Los Angeles became
During the 1980’s, a refuge for many
under the false logic Salvadoran families. Faced
of the Cold War, the with oppression on the
United
States streets of Los Angeles, jobs
Continued on Page 7
provided direct
SOA Watch
in Colombia
by Liz Deligio and Charity Ryerson,
SOA Watch Illinois
BOGOTA, Colombia - SOA Watch
visited Colombia in July as a member of the Ethics Commission of the
human rights group Justicia y Paz.
The Commission publicizes human
rights abuses in a number of specific
communities in Colombia, where a
brutal war continues to rage. More
than four billion dollars in U.S. military aid, accompanied
by military training for the
Colombian
armed forces
at the School
of the Americas,
is fueling the war.
Cont. on Page 4
Also in this issue:
School of the Americas Public
Relations Offensive
Page 2
News Briefs from the Americas Page 3
November Vigil and Nonviolent
Direct Action Information Page 4-6
nd
a
s
tor mbia
c
u
Información en Español nstr Colo
I n
Page 4, 5, 10, 11 EC d i
t in
S
n
e
t
N
HI rres eme ia
W
v
s: nts a nvol Maf age 3
w
Ne tude for I Drug see p
S
Federal Prison Report Page 7
Página/Page 2
Otoño/Fall 2007
is the newspaper of the movement to close the
School of the Americas. It is published three times a
year and sent free of charge to over 39,000
subscribers. An additional 66,000 copies of this
issue is being distributed through the ¡Presente!
activist distributor network:
Become a distributor: SOA Watch is sending
bulk orders of ¡Presente! at cost to dedicated
organizers across the country for distribution at
local events, schools, union halls, through progressive bookstores and coffeehouses. For
more information about the distributer program,
visit www.SOAW.org/presente or email
[email protected]
SOA Watch Organizing Regions and
Council Representatives:
GREAT LAKES: Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan,
Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana
Liz Deligio, [email protected], 773-910-2444
and Morgan Roddy, [email protected]
MIDATLANTIC: DC, West Virginia, Virginia,
Maryland, Western Pennsylvania
MIDWEST: Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa,
South Dakota, North Dakota, Oklahoma
NEW ENGLAND: Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine,
Eastern Canada
Palmer Legare, [email protected]
NEW YORK: New York
NORTHEAST: Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware,
New Jersey
Deirdre MacDermott, [email protected],
215-601-4805 and Linda Panetta,
[email protected], 215-473-2162
NORTHWEST: Oregon, Washington, Idaho,
Montana, Alaska, Western Canada
Greg Speltz, [email protected]
ROCKIES: Colorado, Wyoming, Utah
Brendan McCrann, [email protected]
SOUTH: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Texas
SOUTHEAST: North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, Florida, Tennessee
Randal Pfleger, [email protected]
SOUTHWEST: Arizona, New Mexico
Richard Boren, [email protected]
WEST: California, Nevada, Hawai'i, American
Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Marianas
Cile Beatty, [email protected] and
510-684-6444 and Theresa Cameranesi,
[email protected], 415-876-1455
At Large Council Members:
Wayne Wittman, Veterans for Peace
Sister Dianna Ortiz, Torture Abolition Survivor
Support Coalition (TASSC)
Carlos Mauricio, Stop Impunity Project
SOA Watch Staff:
Luciana Andrade, Roy Bourgeois, Pam Bowman,
Joao Da Silva, Eric LeCompte, Vera Leone, Lisa
Sullivan-Rodriguez and Hendrik Voss
Contact: SOA Watch
PO Box 4566
Washington, DC 20017
rg
o
.
W
A
O
S
.
w
ww : 202-234-3440
Phone
SOA Watch is a nonviolent grassroots movement
that works to stand in solidarity with
the people of Latin America and the Caribbean,
to close the School of the Americas
and to change oppressive U.S. foreign policy
that the SOA/WHINSEC represents.
We are grateful to our sisters and brothers
throughout Latin America and the Caribbean
for their inspiration and the invitation
to join them in their struggle for
economic and social justice.
- Mission Statement of SOA Watch
Luis Eduardo
Guerra,
an
organizer from
the Colombian
P e a c e
Community San
José de Apartadó
spoke out at the gates of
Fort Benning: “We know
that the officers who
trained the paramilitaries
were trained at the School
of the Americas...” Two and
a half years later, in February
2005, Luis was murdered,
together with seven other
community
members,
including his partner Bellanira,
their 11-year-old son Denier,
and
two
children,
aged 6 years and 18 months.
Their assassins were under the
command of Colombian
General Hector Rincon, who
was trained at the School of
the Americas in “planning and
conducting small-unit tactical
operations.” The violence
continues... the latest victim in
San José was Dario Torres,
who was killed in July 2007.
Communities in Latin America
are engaged in successful social
justice work. Their organizing
is more advanced than ours
and they are paying for it with
their lives. The boot in their
necks is paid for with U.S. tax
dollars. We need to lift it.
Pentagon Public Relations Offensive
As closure of the School of the Americas seems imminent, WHINSEC officials
step up their counter-efforts on Capitol Hill.
Funded by taxpayer money, public
relations teams from the Pentagon
and the School of the Americas
(SOA/WHINSEC) have been
consistently lobbying Congress this
year to prevent the defunding of
their prize institution.
Keeping the notorious military
training school in operation is
important to them literally and
symbolically. The school offers a
pipeline of influence and
information from the U.S. to
friendly militaries in Latin America
and serves as a way to control
people and resources in the region.
It’s not only Members of Congress
who are on the radar screen of
these PR hacks. The Pentagon also
has its sights on anyone identified
as a critic of the SOA/WHINSE..
About once a week, the SOA
Watch
office
receives
infor mation from local
activists who, after having
written a letter to the editor or
an article about the SOA/
WHINSEC,
have
been
approached by the WHINSEC
public relations department
with charges of libel and
slander.
This new, more aggressive
approach shows us that the
Pentagon is getting desperate,
and is in line with a strategy laid
out in the “WHINSEC Strategic
Communications Plan.”
In 2003, an SOA Watch organizer
received a copy of this Army plan
for WHINSEC from Lee Rials, a
public relations official at the
school. With a total budget of
$246,000, including $9,000 for
“media monitoring software” and
$50,000 for Internet work, the
plan calls for flooding the media
with letters to the editor in an
effort to balance the negative press
the school has received with a
“desired ‘end state’” that the
“congressional audience will not
support legislation to close the
WHINSEC” because “the number
of letters from constituents to
Congress
criticizing
the
WHINSEC is decreased.”
To see a copy of WHINSEC’s Strategic
Communications Plan, visit:
www.SOAW.org/whinsec
The fact that the Army perceives
letters from constituents as a threat
to the future of this school
confirms that we are making a
difference every time we
encourage a neighbor to study the
history of U.S. state support for
torture and “military solutions,”
and to take action against it.
Support for WHINSEC, formerly
called the School of the Americas,
has been eroding in Congress since
it became public in 2004 that the
school continued to train known
human rights abusers. The broadbased call for the school’s closure
and an independent investigation
into its connections to human rights
abuses is getting louder and
growing every day. Join us!
www.SOAW.org
Roy Bourgeois
Speaking Tour:
Hear Father Roy speak from
personal experience about the
violence of the School of the
Americas and the campaign to
shut it down.
Page/Página 3
Latin America Project
Over the past two years, SOA Watch has organized delegations to 14 Latin American countries in order to to connect with social movement leaders and
to request government officials sever their ties to the School of the Americas (SOA/WHINSEC). Venezuela, Argentina, Uruguay and now Costa Rica have
all denounced the SOA/WHINSEC and commited to stop sending students to the school. For delegation reports, visit www.SOAW.org/LAProject
Here is what delegation participants say about the project:
Sept. 16-18: Houston, TX
Contact: Joe Marcinkowski,
phone: 713-473-0000
Sept. 30 - October 2:
San Francisco, CA
Contact: Mitch Donnels,
phone: 415-455-0499
Oct. 3-4: Arcata, CA
Contact: John Ristore,
phone: 707-822-4595
Oct. 11: Maryknoll, NY
Contact: Joe Rigoti,
Phone: 914-762-6364
Nov. 2-3: Milwaukee, WI
Call to Action Conference,
Contact: Kimberly Ziyazo
773-404-0004 Ext. 265
WHINSEC Instructors
and the Drug Mafia
The Colombian Army’s Third
Brigade, based in Cali, was
deeply penetrated by the drug
trafficking mafia, according to
a recent criminal investigation.
“What the prosecutors’ investigation has shown as it progresses,”
reported Semana magazine,
“is that ‘Don Diego’ [a drug mafia
kingpin] didn’t just buy these officers in exchange for one-time favors,
but that many of them belonged to
his organization. They were part
of the mafia and put their jobs in
the Army at its service.” Brigade
commander Gómez Vergara
resigned August 16, 2007, as
a result of the investigation,
and a dozen other officers
have been arrested or are under investigation.
Colonel Alvaro Quijano –
who served as an instructor at
the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation,
formerly known as School of
the Americas - was arrested on
August 15, 2007. The former
chief of the brigade’s opera-
Pablo Ruiz
Lisa Sullivan
Roy Bourgeois
Julio Yao
Linda Panetta
Carlos Mauricio
Observadores, Chile
SOA Watch Staff
SOA Watch Founder
SERPAJ, Panama
SOA Watch Northeast
Stop Impunity Project
"We have a lot to
learn from our Latin
American sisters
and brothers. The
delegations were
very rich experiences and the great
outcome has energized the movement"
" The Project has
"The level of soli- "By building a coa-
been useful in building relationships
with grassroots
groups in Latin
America because we
do not normally perceive U.S. citizens as
opposed to their
own government."
darity we received
was humbling. Together we laughed,
cried, protested,
strategized, broke
bread, inhaled tear
gas… redoubled our
commitment to closing the SOA."
"To truly be what it "I think that perhaps
claims, the movement needs to be
deeply connected
with the voice of the
oppressed, and of
those who were tortured and assassinated by the SOA."
the most important
part of the work ...
has been the connections with organizations in Latin
America. We have
established connections with groups in
14 countries."
tions, Lt. Colonel Javier
Escobar Martínez, has also
been arrested and accused of
mobilizing army units to protect the drug trafficker.
Quijano, former commander
of Colombia’s Special Forces
in the Valle department, and
another accused officer, Major Wilmer Mora Daza, taught
“peacekeeping operations” and
“democratic sustainment” at the
SOA/WHINSEC
from
2003-2004.
El Salvador Repression
Oaxaca Solidarity
This summer, the government
of El Salvador passed a new
"anti-terrorism" law and is now
trying social organizers as terrorists. The law defines different forms of public protest as
terrorism. Anti-privatization activists were arrested in
Suchitoto, where President
Saca was about to announce
the first steps towards privatizing water.. The activists might
face 60 years in prison under
the new law.
In early August of this year,
Oaxaca police arrested four
Spanish human rights advocates in retaliation for their
stinging reports that received
The commander of the
Army’s Third Division (General Hernando Pérez Molina,
another SOA/WHINSEC
grad), to which the Third Brigade belongs, was relieved of
his post.
lition of forces in
these countries we
can advocate a
movement against
militarization, military bases and impunity, and seek justice to keep the
memory alive."
worldwide attention. The
group published a series of
detailed reports this year on
human rights abuses in
Oaxaca, accusing Governor
Ulises Ruiz of numerous violations, including murder, kidnapping and disappearances.
The Secretary General of
Amnesty International has
also criticized Governor Ruiz
for the egregious human
rights violations rampant in
his department of Mexico.
‰ Yes, I support the Campaign to Close the SOA!
Donation Type:
Last year, Colombian army
officers from the Third Brigade ambushed an elite, U.S.trained anti-drug squad in the
Valle town of Jamundí, killing ten policemen. The leader
of the attack, Colonel Bayron
Carvajal, now under arrest,
was also a graduate of the
School of the Americas
(SOA/WHINSEC).
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Donation Amount: ‰ $15 ‰ $25 ‰$50 ‰$100 ‰$500 ‰Other _______
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Small individual donations
make up the vast majority of
SOA Watch’s budget. It is your
support that makes the work
possible.
Every donation counts.
Please consider committing to
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that we can count on each
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Clip and mail form to: SOA Watch ~ PO Box 4566 ~ Washington, DC 20017
Página/Page 4
Otoño/Fall 2007
Ecuadorians against
U.S. Base in Manta
Human rights groups in Ecuador successfully moved their
government to not renew an
agreement with the U.S. military for the use of an airbase
in Manta once it runs out in
2009. Pentagon efforts to keep
the base, used for operations
into Colombia, have been met
with vigilance by activists.
Justice for the Jena 6
In what has been called a 'modern-day lynching,' six Black high
school students in Jena, Louisiana, have been jailed for
months, charged with attempted murder for a school
fight in which a white student
was beaten. The fight broke out
after white students hung
nooses from the traditionally
'White' tree where the Black
students had sat in September
2006. The White students were
only given 3-day suspensions
for the noose-hanging.
Racism is also a driving force
behind SOA/WHINSEC violence. One purpose of the
school is to maintain white supremacy over the non-white
populations of this hemisphere.
To be effective in the struggle
against the SOA, we have to
address racism in all its forms.
To learn more about the campaign for justice for the Jena 6
visit www.colorofchange.org.
Anti-War Protests
Fort Benning, Georgia, one of
the biggest military bases in the
world has become a focal
point of the resistance to the
Iraq war. In recent months,
caravans from Veterans for
Peace, Iraq Veterans Against
the War and the Journey for
Humanity and Accountability
by Cindy Sheehan and former
State Department official
Anne Wright have been traveling throughout the country
to speak out against the war
in Iraq and visit military bases,
including Fort Benning, to
reach out to active duty troops
and listen to their stories.
On the Road to Georgia
On the Road for Justice
Roadshows, Speaking Tours and Concerts in the
Lead Up to the November Vigil to Close the SOA
Human rights activist Carlos Mauricio and
friends are undertaking the fourth annual
“Journey for Justice,” a caravan of torture
survivors and allies. Their journey will take
them from California to the gates of Fort
Benning, Georgia. In each of the cities
where the caravan stops, there will be an
evening speaking event hosted by local
groups, and a press conference the following morning.
SOA Watch’s Event and Outreach Coordinator Eric LeCompte will travel for organizing and speaking events in September and
October to Springfield, Illinois (contact:
Diane at 217.544.3997), Minnesota (contact:
Kevin at 320.259.5480) and to states in the
southeast of the United States.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Nonviolent Direct Action
Nonviolent direct action has been
the backbone of the movement to
close the SOA. Talk to your friends
now and form affinity groups. Some
people will decide to carry the protest onto the military base, risking six
months in federal prison for their
stands. Others will engage in different creative nonviolent protest.
Actions have occurred at the main
gate of Fort Benning, at other entrances and at various locations inside the base, including the barracks
where SOA soldiers are housed and
the SOA building itself..
If you are considering engaging in
nonviolent direct action during the
vigil weekend, please contact Eric
at [email protected] and plan to
attend the direct action preparation
sessions in the convention center on
Friday and Saturday nights. If you
will cross the line onto Fort Benning,
plan to bring $1,000 for bail money.
During the funeral procession, there
will be a space for non-arrestable
actions in the center
of the street for
groups to reenact
massacres and to
create
commemorative vignettes. If your
group would
like to be a part
of one of these
vignettes, please
plan to attend
the direct action
session.
Photo: A women stands up to police forces during the repression
against anti-privatization protests in Bolivia in 2003.
A major benefit concert will take place on
Thursday, November 15 in Atlanta, Georgia. Many of the amazing musicians who
will join us at the gates of Fort Benning will
perform in Atlanta.
For a complete schedule of events, visit
www.SOAW.org or call
202.234.3440
Other roadshows and speaking tours that
are joining together at the gates of Fort
Benning are being organized by the
Puppetistas, the Committee in Solidarity
with the People of El Salvador (CISPES),
Bread and Puppets, Witness for Peace and
others. The CISPES tour will feature a
speaker from the social movements in El
Salvador. Witness for Peace will bring Lydia
Nonviolent direct action seeks
to dramatize an issue so that
it can no longer be ignored.
Engage in nonviolent direct
action to help close the SOA
and to liberate us all from oppressive U.S. policy.
Lopez, the president of the Colombian
flower-workers union Untraflores on a
speaking tour entitled “Sowing Seeds of
Resistance,” to the Midwest and from there
to Columbus, Georgia.
Graphic: Rini Templeton
SOA Watch in Colombia, continued from page 1
The approach of the SOA/
WHINSEC of “solving” social
problems with military violence has
left an indelible mark on the country:
millions of people have had to flee
their homes and thousands have
been killed over the past years. The
Colombian military has the worst
human rights record in the
Americas. The military continues a
r u t h l e s s
counterinsurgency
campaign that has
killed thousands
of Colombians
and
displaced
millions (this year,
C o l o m b i a
surpassed Sudan as
the country with
the most internally
displaced people).
experience as well as what they
envision for reparation. The
Commission traveled to the Chocó
region in the north of Colombia.
In northern Antioquia, the African
palm oil business has forcibly
displaced thousands of mestizo,
afro-descendiente, and indigenous
families from their own lands. In
Liz Deligio and Images of victims displayed by the Association of Family Members of the Detained- Disapppeared
Charity Ryerson, (ASFADDES) at the largest gathering of victims in Colombian history in July 2007.
as SOA Watch
concert with the police, military,
members
of
the
Ethics
paramilitaries, and local government
Commission, traveled to Colombia
offices, the palm oil companies have
from July 23 - August 1 to visit with
murdered and displaced community
impacted communities. The Ethics
members and
Commission is a
The
approach
of
the
SOA/
falsely claimed
gathering of
WHINSEC
to
“solve”
social
legal right to the
members from
problems
with
military
violence
territory.
the Colombian
has left its mark on the country
and international
In testimony
communities
before
the
who have joined in solidarity with
Ethics Commission, community
impacted communities in Colombia.
members expressed a high level of
The Commission gathers twice a
coordination between the 17th
year to hear testimony from
Brigade of the Colombian military
communities about the systematic
human rights violations they
Continued on page 9
www.SOAW.org
Page/Página 5
Close the SOA!
Convergence
!
3 Days for Justice
a n d Accou n ta b ili ty
Ju sticia y la Verd ad
From November 16-18, 2007, thousands will converge at Fort
Benning, Georgia. We will take a stand for justice. We will close the
School of the Americas (SOA/WHINSEC) and change the racist
system of violence and domination that institutions like the SOA/
WHINSEC represent.
Del 16 al 18 de Noviembre del 2007, miles de activistas por los
derechos humanos se reunirán en Fuerte Benning, Georgia. Nos
reuniremos para exigir que se haga justicia. Cerraremos la Escuela
de las Americas (SOA/WHINSEC) y destruiremos el sistema racista
de violencia y dominación que la SOA/WHINSEC representa.
Ain’t no Power like the
Power of the Peop le
If one thing in history is true, it’s
that change is inevitable. People
around the world who want a
change know that the only way to
shape that change is by organizing
and joining with others in the
struggle for a better world.
Mass mobilizations have always
been an important tool for social
justice movem ents. When we
gather at the gates of Fort
Benning this November, we’ll
do so in the strong and rich
traditi on of worldw ide
struggles for justice and
dignity. We will commemorate the victims and
survivors that stood up for
justice and freedom before
us, we will celebrate the
resistance to violence
and oppression and
we will hold those
who are responsible
for terror and repressio n accoun table.
Mobilize your Community
Order the November Organizing
Packet (form on page 6). For
more information, visit SOA
Watch on the internet at
www.SOAW.org or
call 202.234.3440
We’ll see you at
the gates!
3 Dias por la
No hay Poder como
el Poder Popular
Si hay una cosa que la historia ha
demostrado una y otra vez es que
los cambios son inevitables. Las
personas alrededor del mundo que
quieren un
cambio saben
que
la
única forma de
asegurar
ese cambio es
mediante la
organización y
la solidaridad
con otros
que también
e s t á n
luchando por
crear
un
mundo nuevo
y mejor.
Movilizaciones
masivas han
sido
un
instrumento
importante
para los movimientos por la justicia
social. Cuando nos reunamos en
Fuerte Benning este Noviembre lo
haremos en la misma tradición de
las luchas por la justicia y la dignidad
que se han dado en todo el mundo
a través de la historia. Haremos un
tributo a la memo ria de las
victim as y sobrev iviente s que
alzaron su voz en nombre de la
justicia y la libertad, celebraremos
la resiste ncia a la violen cia y
opresió n, y exigire mos que los
respon sables por el terror y la
represión enfrenten a la justicia.
Movi liza a tu
Comunidad!
Artistas, activistas y líderes
de movimientos sociales
de todo el hemisferio
se reunirán en Fuerte
Bennin g, Georg ia
para demandar que
se haga
justicia.
¡Únete al
movimiento,
sea parte de
la historia!
Photo
: And
i
Gelsth
orpe
Join the
movement, be a
part of histor y!
Amazing musicians , grassroot s
activists and social movemen t
leaders from througho ut the
Americas will come together and
take a stand for justice at the gates
of Fort Benning, Georgia.
Convergencia
Cierre n la SOA!
Donate today to support the mobilization! Sound and stage, a fully equipped media office, portable toilets, event
insurance, meeting rooms and outreach materials are among the many costs of the November Vigil. We need to raise $50,000 by October 30 to
pay for the organizing expenses. Please fill out the response form on Page 2 and send your most generous donation today. Thank you!
Página/Page 6
Otoño/Fall 2007
Take a Stand for Justice
Ma ke
the School of the Americas
Join together with thousands of
H istory
human rights advocates, students, union workers, nuns, artists, teachers,
grandmothers, community organizers, immigrants, people of faith, indigenous people and peace activists. Take a stand for the closure of the
School of the Americas and for an end to oppressive policies that cause
death and violence throughout the world.
Be part of a revolution of values!
November 15-18, 2007:
4-Day Mobilization
Rally at the Gates of Fort Benning • Trainings
Nonviolent Direct Action • Puppetista
Pageant • Workshops • Concerts • Culture
Plenaries • Film Screenings • Concerts
Teach-Ins • Exhibitions • Art • Resistance
Jaquanda Viellgas will again be one of the MC’s, photo by Cally Golding
Travel Information
Places to Stay: Visit SOAW.org
Local groups around the country
are organizing busses and carpools
to come to Fort Benning.
Check the rideboard on
for a list of hotels (ask for the
SOA Watch group rate!). Call the
Visitors Bureau at 800-864-7275
www.SOAW.org!
Car or van: The Fort Benning
base is located in Columbus,
Georgia, 100 miles SW of Atlanta.
Take I-185 South to Exit 1B,
Victory Drive/Rt. 27
(last exit before the base!)
Plane: Columbus has an airport.
The groome shuttle runs from the
Atlanta airport to Columbus
($60 roundtrip, Call 800-584-6735).
Bus: Columbus has a Greyhound
station in the downtown area.
Get Involved: Support the Organizing!
Mobilize your friends, family, and your community.
Justicia Ahora!
Hagamos Historia
Cerrando la escuela de
las americas
Únase a miles de activistas
por los derechos humanos, estudiantes, sindicalistas, artistas, abuelas
profesores, líderes comunitarios, inmigrantes, trabajadores religiosos,
indigenistas y activistas por la paz. Levante su voz para el cierre de la
Escuela de las Américas y para poner fin a las políticas opresivas que
causan muerte y violencia por todo el mundo.
- ¡Sea parte de una revolución de valores!
4-Dia Movilizacion
15-18 de noviembre, 2007
Manifestación en las puertas del Fuerte Benning • Capacitaciones • Acción
Directa No Violenta • Fiesta de Marionetas • Talleres • Conciertos •
Sesiones de Estrategia • Comunidad • Cine • Conciertos • Foros
Populares • Exhibiciones • Arte
Donde hospedarse: Visite a
Cultura • Resistencia
Llegar a Columbus
Grupos alrededor de los EEUU
están coordinando
buses y automóviles
para viajar a Ft.
Benning. ¡Visite
el Ride Board en
SOAW.org para ver una lista
completa de hoteles, moteles
y sitios donde acampar. Llame
al Consejo de Visitantes de
Columbus al 800-864-7275
www.SOAW.org!
En Auto: El Fuerte
Benning esta ubicado
en Columbus, a 100
millares al suroeste
de Atlanta. Conduzca
por el I-185 South
hasta la salida 1B,
Victory Dr. Rt, 27 North
(¡Esta es la ultima
salida antes de la base)
Avión: Hay un aeropuerto en Columbus. Groome Shuttle ofrece un
servicio de transporte entre el aeropuerto de Atlanta y Columbus
(90 minutos, 800-584-6735, $60)
Autobús: Hay una estación de Greyhound en el centro de Columbus.
Actua Ahora: ¡Organiza
a tu Comunidad!
Accessibility
Moviliza a tus amigos, familias y comunidad
Sign-language interpretation and
Spanish interpretation through
headphones, programs in Spanish,
braille and large print and an
access area by the stage will
be available.
Acceso
‰ Yes, send me an Organizing Packet including fliers, information on
direct action, media and legislative work and more ($3 requested).
‰ Here’s a $________ donation to help cover the cost of the mobilization
(sound and stage, media office set-up, outreach, logistics etc.)
Habrá traducción simultanea
en español. Tambien habrán
folletos en español y en
braille, y se dispone de un
área de acceso al escenario.
‰ Envíenme un paquete de organizadores con volantes,
información sobre la acción directa, estrategia de medios etc.
‰ Les envío un aporte de $____ para cubrir los gastos del
evento (escenario, oficina de prensa, publicidad, etc.)
Name: _______________________________________________________________
Nombre: _____________________________________________________
Street: _______________________________________________________________
Dirección: ____________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP: _______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Email: _______________________________________________________________
Correo-e: ____________________________________________________
Clip and return to: SOA Watch, PO Box 4566, Washington DC 20017
Devolver a: SOA Watch, PO Box 4566, Washington DC 20017
Going to Jail for Justice
www.SOAW.org
Page/Página 7
Prison Report from Vera Leone (Brown)
Vera served a six-month prison sentence at West Virginia’s
Alderson Federal Prison Camp in 2003 for “criminal reentry on a military installation” at Fort Benning. Over 95
years of prison time and 53 years of probation and home
confinement have been served by SOA Watch activists.
Those convicted range in age from 17 to 89, spanning a
variety of genders and faith traditions. Leone recently
joined the SOA Watch staff in Washington, DC.
At an annual retreat of Latin
America solidarity activists in
North Carolina in 2002,
Colombian union organizer
William Mendoza called out
for solidarity with the
Colombian peoples’ struggle
for justice, for life, and against
the state and paramilitary
power structure that was so
strongly supported by the U.S.
and the School of the
Americas. I decided two
things that weekend: (1) that
I didn’t have to have the
grand plan for global peace
and justice all understood by
myself, and (2) that change
definitely won’t come if we
don’t believe it will. Do we
believe it will? Anything can
happen. That fall, I crossed
the line at the SOA.
What I love most about my
subsequent prison experience
is that it had the exact
opposite effect I suppose
Judge Mallon Faircloth had
intended when he handed
down the six-month sentence.
Before, I knew little of U.S.
state-sponsored terror within
the country. I had, of course,
spent a few years already
learning about the SOA, but
I was still naïve enough to
believe that the US
government was good for its
own people.
I learned – or started learning
– about the effects of racism
within the U.S., and another
face of the strug gle for
justice began to take shape
for me. The same
government that sponsors
death squads around the
world uses similar means to
dismantle communities in our
own country. The women I
served prison time with were
poor women, they were
women of color, and they
were kind women, mothers
and sisters and aunts, in
prison, by and large, because
of drug conspiracy laws.
These laws target poor
communities
and
communities of color,
locking up anyone who
knows, or lives with, folks
involved in the drug
trade. For this,
families
are
ripped apart
for
years,
children grow
up without
mothers, and
the US military
receives
exercise gear
and outerwear
(including mittens
shaped with a distinct
first finger to allow the
pulling of a trigger in the
cold) from the slave labor the
women at FPC Alderson
perform in the sewing
factory.
I had never been so
welcomed and supported by
a community. When I first
arrived to prison, after being
strip
searched
and
photographed and dressed
Throughout my incarceration,
the privilege I entered with,
as a white woman, as one
with access to higher
education, as a middle-class
woman,
made
me
uncomfortable. I had never
consciously experienced
myself as having more
because of my skin color or
class of origin, and this was
the start of a very important
process for me to learn
about institutional racism,
class privilege, and how the
United States leads a
political-economic system
that depends upon the
subjugation of many to
support the wealth of a few.
But it is this very same
privilege that I can use to
stand in solidarity with the
union struggles in Colombia,
and against the oppressive
power structure led by the
United
States
and
represented by the SOA. It
is time for the people of the
United States to stand up to
our fascist government, in a
country founded on racism
and genocide, to break its
laws when the laws and
institutions they support are
unjust, and to join our voices
with those across the
hemisphere and around the
world calling for justice and
peace.
recognizes and validates
the systemic forces that
have led to their creation,
and incorporates the gang
members into the decision
making and strategic
planning processes needed
to tackle the vulgar
injustices of being poor in
the Americas. As
Americans scour through
policy books searching for
a quick fix for the gang
violence it is important to
admit and take responsibility
for the monster we have
created. As Malcolm so
eloquently put it, the
chickens have come home
to roost.
in prison clothes, it was late
in the day and I had missed
dinner. My fellow SOA
Watch activist prison buddy
Caitlin and I shared a meal of
ramen noodles (a delicacy we
were to enjoy in many, varied,
creative meals throughout our
stay) – we’d started using the
only utensils we had, which
were pencils we
tried to use as
chopsticks,
when
a
woman we
hadn’t even
met
yet
brought her
o w n
plasticware
for us to use.
Our Native
American sisters
had a weekly time to
gather together in community
and to smudge, and we were
invited. As time went on, and
as our group of SOAW
activists celebrated the
upcoming release of Marie,
other women joined us in
learning and singing a goinghome song.
Gangs in the Americas, continued from page 1
were hard to come by and
the schools and streets were
occupied by gangs defending
their territory and indifferent
to the struggle of the newly
arrived. MS 13 was born out
of a need for self-defense
and survival. Many MS 13
members are the sons and
daughters of the people that
fled the U.S. suponsored war
in El Salvador. The 1990’s
were an incredibly bloody
time for Los Angeles gangs
and communities. “The War
on Gangs gradually began to
take shape in the mid 1990’s
after a 1996 immigration law
in the U.S. facilitated the
deportation
of
undocumented
people
serving more than two years
in U.S. detention facilities.
From 1996 to 2003, the
United States deported
70,000 people to El
Salvador.” Those deported
were not well received once
they arrived in El Salvador,
instead they were stigmatized
and marginalized for their
cultural differences and kept
out of yet another system of
employment, and education.
In response to the
deportations and the import
of the gang culture from the
United States to El Salvador,
the Salvadorian government
implemented “localized antigang measures and [formed]
death squads that emerged to
kill youth thought to be gang
members.” The efforts of
the Salvadorian government
have been championed by the
White
House
and
Department of Homeland
Security and have in fact led
to the Salvadorian
government’s hosting of the
International
Law
Enforcement Academy
(ILEA). The ILEA is a U.S.
run police training school on
Salvadorian soil. The school
will train security forces from
throughout Latin America
and is operating from the
exact mindset that has given
rise to the School of the
Americas
(SOA/
WHINSEC).
Both
institutions are part of a
racist system of violence and
domination that promotes
U.S. sponsored
repression as the
one-size-fits-all
solution to social
problems throughout
the Americas. The
anti-gang initiatives
implemented and
proposed by the
United States and
Salvadorian
governments have
done little to address
the core conditions
of tyranny that have
given rise to the
ever-developing
gang culture. MS 13
and other street
gangs need to be
understood and
addressed in a
context
that
Página/Page 8
Otoño/Fall 2007
Did your Representative do the Right Thing?
In June of 2007, the Representatives Jim McGovern of Massachusets and
John Lewis of Georgia introduced an amedment in Congress that would
have cut funding for the School of the Americas (SOA/WHINSEC).
203 Members of the House stood up for human rights and voted for the
amendment, but the vote was lost by a margin of six votes. 214 Members
of Congress fell for SOA/WHINSEC propaganda or caved in to the intense Pentagon pressure. Check the vote record on this page and call
your Representative with thanks or to express your outrage.
Capitol
Switch-
Call your Representative now:
202-224-3121
Alaska
Hall of Shame:
Young, Don (AK)
Alabama
Hall of Fame:
Davis, Artur (AL-7)
Hall of Shame:
Aderholt, Robert B. (AL-4)
Bachus, Spencer (AL-6)
Everett, Terry (AL-2)
Rogers, Mike (AL-3)
Bonner, Jo (AL-1) didn’t vote
Cramer, Robert E. Jr. (AL-5)
didn’t vote
Arkansas
Hall of Fame:
Berry, Marion (AR-1)
Hall of Shame:
Boozman, John (AR-3)
Ross, Mike (AR-4)
Snyder, Vic (AR-2)
American Samoa
Hall of Fame:
Faleomavaega, Eni F. H.
Arizona
Hall of Fame:
Flake, Jeff (AZ-6)
Giffords, Gabrielle (AZ-8)
Grijalva, Rafael (AZ-7)
Mitchell, Harry E. (AZ-5)
Pastor, Ed (AZ-4)
Hall of Shame:
Franks, Trent (AZ-2)
Renzi, Rick (AZ-1)
Shadegg, John B. (AZ-3)
California
Hall of Fame:
Baca, Joe (CA-43)
Becerra, Xavier (CA-31)
Berman, Howard L. (CA-28)
Capps, Lois (CA-23)
Davis, Susan A. (CA-53)
Eshoo, Anna G. (CA-14)
Farr, Sam (CA-17)
Filner, Bob (CA-51)
Harman, Jane (CA-36)
Honda, Michael M. (CA-15)
Lantos, Tom (CA-12)
Lee, Barbara (CA-9)
Lofgren, Zoe (CA-16)
McNerney, Jerry (CA-11)
Matsui, Doris O. (CA-5)
Miller, George (CA-7)
Roybal-Allard, Lucille (CA-34)
Sánchez, Linda T.(CA-39)
Schiff, Adam B. (CA-29)
Sherman, Brad (CA-27)
Solis, Hilda L. (CA-32)
Stark, Fortney Pete (CA-13)
Tauscher, Ellen O. (CA-10)
Thompson, Mike (CA-1)
Waters, Maxine (CA-35)
Watson, Diane E. (CA-33)
Waxman, Henry A. (CA-30)
Woolsey, Lynn C. (CA-6)
Hall of Shame:
Bilbray, Brian P. (CA-50)
Bono, Mary (CA-45)
Calvert, Ken (CA-44)
Campbell, John (CA-48)
Cardoza, Dennis A. (CA-18)
Costa, Jim (CA-20)
Doolittle, John T. (CA-4)
Dreier, David (CA-26)
Gallegly, Elton (CA-24)
Herger, Wally (CA-2)
Issa, Darrell E. (CA-49)
Lewis, Jerry (CA-41)
Lungren, Daniel E. (CA-3)
McCarthy, Kevin (CA-22)
McKeon, Howard P. (CA-25)
Miller, Gary G. (CA-42)
Nunes, Devin (CA-21)
Radanovich, George (CA-19)
Rohrabacher, Dana (CA-46)
Royce, Edward R. (CA-40)
Four CA Reps did not vote:
Pelosi, Nancy (CA-8)
Hunter, Duncan (CA-52)
Napolitano, Grace F. (CA-38)
Sanchez, Loretta (CA-47)
Colorado
Hall of Fame:
DeGette, Diana (CO-1)
Salazar, John T. (CO-3)
Udall, Mark (CO-2)
Hall of Shame:
Lamborn, Doug (CO-5)
Musgrave, Marilyn N. (CO-4)
Perlmutter, Ed (CO-7)
Tancredo, Thomas G. (CO-6)
Connecticut
Hall of Fame:
Courtney, Joe (CT-2)
DeLauro, Rosa L. (CT-3)
Larson, John B. (CT-1)
Murphy, Christopher (CT-5)
Shays, Christopher (CT-4)
District of Columbia
Hall of Fame:
Norton, Eleanor Holmes (DC)
Delaware
Hall of Shame:
Castle, Michael N. (DE)
Florida
Hall of Fame:
Brown, Corrine (FL-3)
Hastings, Alcee L. (FL-23)
Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
(FL-20)
Wexler, Robert (FL-19)
Hall of Shame:
Bilirakis, Gus M. (FL-9)
Boyd, Allen (FL-2)
Brown-Waite, Ginny (FL-5)
Buchanan, Vern (FL-13)
Castor, Kathy (FL-11)
Crenshaw, Ander (FL-4)
Diaz-Balart, Lincoln (FL-21)
Diaz-Balart, Mario (FL-25)
Feeney, Tom (FL-24)
Keller, Ric (FL-8)
Klein, Ron (FL-22)
Mack, Connie (FL-14)
Mahoney, Tim (FL-16)
Meek, Kendrick B. (FL-17)
Mica, John L. (FL-7)
Miller, Jeff (FL-1)
Putnam, Adam H. (FL-12)
Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana (FL-18)
Stearns, Cliff (FL-6)
Weldon, Dave (FL-15)
Young, C. W. Bill (FL-10)
Georgia
Hall of Fame:
Lewis, John (GA-5)
Hall of Shame:
Barrow, John (GA-12)
Bishop, Sanford D. Jr. (GA-2)
Deal, Nathan (GA-9)
Gingrey, Phil (GA-11)
Kingston, Jack (GA-1)
Linder, John (GA-7)
Marshall, Jim (GA-8)
Price, Tom (GA-6)
Westmoreland, Lynn (GA-3)
Two GA Reps did not vote:
Johnson, Henry C. Jr. (GA-4)
Scott, David (GA-13)
Guam
Hall of Shame: Bordallo,
Madeleine didn’t vote
Hawai
Hall of Fame:
Hirono, Mazie K. (HI-2)
Hall of Shame:
Abercrombie, Neil (HI-1)
Illinois
Hall of Fame:
Bean, Melissa L. (IL-8)
Biggert, Judy (IL-13)
Davis, Danny K. (IL-7)
Emanuel, Rahm (IL-5)
Gutierrez, Luis V. (IL-4)
Hare, Phil (IL-17)
Jackson, Jesse L. Jr. (IL-2)
LaHood, Ray (IL-18)
Lipinski, Daniel (IL-3)
Rush, Bobby L. (IL-1)
Schakowsky, Janice D. (IL-9)
Hall of Shame:
Johnson, Timothy V. (IL-15)
Kirk, Mark Steven (IL-10)
Manzullo, Donald A. (IL-16)
Roskam, Peter J. (IL-6)
Shimkus, John (IL-19)
Weller, Jerry (IL-11)
Two IL Reps did not vote:
Costello, Jerry F. (IL-12)
Hastert, J. Dennis (IL-14)
Indiana
Hall of Fame:
Carson, Julia (IN-7)
Donnelly, Joe (IN-2)
Ellsworth, Brad (IN-8)
Hill, Baron P. (IN-9)
Visclosky, Peter J. (IN-1)
Hall of Shame:
Burton, Dan (IN-5)
Buyer, Steve (IN-4)
Pence, Mike (IN-6)
Souder, Mark E. (IN-3)
Kansas
Hall of Fame:
Boyda, Nancy E. (KS-2)
Moore, Dennis (KS-3)
Moran, Jerry (KS-1)
Hall of Shame:
Tiahrt, Todd (KS-4)
Kentucky
Hall of Fame:
Chandler, Ben (KY-6)
Yarmuth, John A. (KY-3)
Hall of Shame:
Davis, Geoff (KY-4)
Lewis, Ron (KY-2)
Rogers, Harold (KY-5)
Whitfield, Ed (KY-1)
Louisiana
Hall of Fame:
Camp, Dave (MI-4)
Conyers, John Jr. (MI-14)
Ehlers, Vernon J. (MI-3)
Kildee, Dale E. (MI-5)
Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. (MI-13)
Levin, Sander M. (MI-12)
Stupak, Bart (MI-1)
Upton, Fred (MI-6)
Hall of Shame:
Dingell, John D. (MI-15)
Hoekstra, Peter (MI-2)
Knollenberg, Joe (MI-9)
McCotter, Thaddeus (MI-11)
Miller, Candice S. (MI-10)
Rogers, Mike (MI-8)
Walberg, Tim (MI-7)
Minnesota
Hall of Fame:
Ellison, Keith (MN-5)
McCollum, Betty (MN-4)
Oberstar, James L. (MN-8)
Ramstad, Jim (MN-3)
Walz, Timothy J. (MN-1)
Hall of Shame:
Bachmann, Michele (MN-6)
Kline, John (MN-2)
Peterson, Collin C. (MN-7)
Missouri
Hall of Fame:
Carnahan, Russ (MO-3)
Clay, Wm. Lacy (MO-1)
Cleaver, Emanuel (MO-5)
Hulshof, Kenny C. (MO-9)
Hall of Shame:
Akin, W. Todd (MO-2)
Blunt, Roy (MO-7)
Emerson, Jo Ann (MO-8)
Graves, Sam (MO-6)
Skelton, Ike (MO-4)
Mississippi
Hall of Fame:
Thompson, Bennie G. (MS-2)
Hall of Shame:
Pickering, Charles W. (MS-3)
Taylor, Gene (MS-4)
Wicker, Roger F. (MS-1)
Montana
Hall of Shame:
Rehberg, Dennis R. (MT)
North Carolina
Hall of Fame:
Butterfield, G. K. (NC-1)
Coble, Howard (NC-6)
Etheridge, Bob (NC-2)
Price, David E. (NC-4)
Shuler, Heath (NC-11)
Watt, Melvin L. (NC-12)
Hall of Shame:
Foxx, Virginia (NC-5)
Hayes, Robin (NC-8)
Jones, Walter B. (NC-3)
McHenry, Patrick T. (NC-10)
McIntyre, Mike (NC-7)
Miller, Brad (NC-13)
Myrick, Sue Wilkins (NC-9)
North Dakota
Hall of Fame:
Pomeroy, Earl (ND)
Nebraska
Hall of Shame:
Alexander, Rodney (LA-5)
Baker, Richard H. (LA-6)
Boustany, Charles Jr. (LA-7)
Jefferson, William J. (LA-2)
Jindal, Bobby (LA-1)
McCrery, Jim (LA-4)
One LA Rep did not vote:
Melancon, Charlie (LA-3)
Hall of Shame:
Fortenberry, Jeff (NE-1)
Smith, Adrian (NE-3)
Terry, Lee (NE-2)
Massachusetts
New Jersey
Hall of Fame:
Capuano, Michael E. (MA-8)
Delahunt, William D. (MA-10)
Frank, Barney (MA-4)
Lynch, Stephen F. (MA-9)
McGovern, James P. (MA-3)
Markey, Edward J. (MA-7)
Neal, Richard E. (MA-2)
Olver, John W. (MA-1)
Tierney, John F. (MA-6)
Hall of Shame:
One MA Rep did not vote:
Meehan, Martin T. (MA-5)
Maryland
Hall of Fame:
Boswell, Leonard L. (IA-3)
Braley, Bruce L. (IA-1)
Loebsack, David (IA-2)
Hall of Shame:
King, Steve (IA-5)
Latham, Tom (IA-4)
Hall of Fame:
Cummings, Elijah E. (MD-7)
Gilchrest, Wayne T. (MD-1)
Hoyer, Steny H. (MD-5)
Sarbanes, John P. (MD-3)
Van Hollen, Chris (MD-8)
Wynn, Albert Russell (MD-4)
Hall of Shame:
Bartlett, Roscoe G. (MD-6)
Ruppersberger, Dutch (MD-2)
Idaho
Maine
Hall of Shame:
Sali, Bill (ID-1)
Simpson, Michael K. (ID-2)
Hall of Fame:
Allen, Thomas H. (ME-1)
Michaud, Michael H. (ME-2)
Iowa
Michigan
New Hampshire
Hall of Fame:
Hodes, Paul W. (NH-2)
Shea-Porter, Carol (NH-1)
Hall of Fame:
Andrews, Robert E. (NJ-1)
Holt, Rush D. (NJ-12)
LoBiondo, Frank A. (NJ-2)
Pallone, Frank Jr. (NJ-6)
Pascrell, Bill Jr. (NJ-8)
Payne, Donald M. (NJ-10)
Rothman, Steven R. (NJ-9)
Sires, Albio (NJ-13)
Smith, Christopher H. (NJ-4)
Hall of Shame:
Ferguson, Mike (NJ-7)
Frelinghuysen, Rod (NJ-11)
Garrett, Scott (NJ-5)
Saxton, Jim (NJ-3)
New Mexico
Hall of Fame:
Udall, Tom (NM-3)
Hall of Shame:
Pearce, Stevan (NM-2)
Wilson, Heather (NM-1)
Nevada
Hall of Fame:
Berkley, Shelley (NV-1)
Hall of Shame:
Heller, Dean (NV-2)
Porter, Jon C. (NV-3)
New York
Hall of Fame:
Ackerman, Gary L. (NY-5)
Arcuri, Michael A. (NY-24)
Bishop, Timothy H. (NY-1)
Clarke, Yvette D. (NY-11)
Crowley, Joseph (NY-7)
Engel, Eliot L. (NY-17)
Gillibrand, Kirsten E. (NY-20)
Hall, John J. (NY-19)
Higgins, Brian (NY-27)
Hinchey, Maurice D. (NY-22)
Israel, Steve (NY-2)
Lowey, Nita M. (NY-18)
McCarthy, Carolyn (NY-4)
McNulty, Michael R. (NY-21)
Maloney, Carolyn B. (NY-14)
Meeks, Gregory W. (NY-6)
Nadler, Jerrold (NY-8)
Serrano, Jose(NY-16)
Slaughter, Louise McIntosh
(NY-28)
Towns, Edolphus (NY-10)
Velázquez, Nydia M. (NY-12)
Walsh, James T. (NY-25)
Hall of Shame:
Fossella, Vito (NY-13)
King, Peter T. (NY-3)
Kuhl, John R. Jr. (NY-29)
McHugh, John M. (NY-23)
Reynolds, Thomas (NY-26)
Two NY Reps did not vote:
Rangel, Charles B. (NY-15)
Weiner, Anthony D. (NY-9)
Ohio
Hall of Fame:
Chabot, Steve (OH-1)
Jones, Stephanie Tubbs (OH11)
Kaptur, Marcy (OH-9)
Kucinich, Dennis J. (OH-10)
LaTourette, Steven (OH-14)
Ryan, Tim (OH-17)
Sutton, Betty (OH-13)
Wilson, Charles A. (OH-6)
Hall of Shame:
Boehner, John A. (OH-8)
Gillmor, Paul E. (OH-5)
Hobson, David L. (OH-7)
Jordan, Jim (OH-4)
Pryce, Deborah (OH-15)
Regula, Ralph (OH-16)
Schmidt, Jean (OH-2)
Space, Zachary T. (OH-18)
Tiberi, Patrick J. (OH-12)
Turner, Michael R. (OH-3)
Oklahoma
Hall of Shame:
Boren, Dan (OK-2)
Cole, Tom (OK-4)
Fallin, Mary (OK-5)
Lucas, Frank D. (OK-3)
One OK Rep did not vote:
Sullivan, John (OK-1)
Oregon
Hall of Fame:
Blumenauer, Earl (OR-3)
DeFazio, Peter A. (OR-4)
Hooley, Darlene (OR-5)
Wu, David (OR-1)
Hall of Shame:
Walden, Greg (OR-2)
Pennsylvania
Hall of Fame:
Altmire, Jason (PA-4)
Brady, Robert A. (PA-1)
Doyle, Michael F. (PA-14)
English, Phil (PA-3)
Fattah, Chaka (PA-2)
Holden, Tim (PA-17)
Kanjorski, Paul E. (PA-11)
Murphy, Tim (PA-18)
Platts, Todd Russell (PA-19)
Schwartz, Allyson Y. (PA-13)
Hall of Shame:
Carney, Christopher (PA-10)
Dent, Charles W. (PA-15)
Gerlach, Jim (PA-6)
Murphy, Patrick J. (PA-8)
Murtha, John P. (PA-12)
Peterson, John E. (PA-5)
Pitts, Joseph R. (PA-16)
Sestak, Joe (PA-7)
Shuster, Bill (PA-9)
South Dakota
Hall of Shame:
Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie
Tennessee
Hall of Fame:
Cohen, Steve (TN-9)
Davis, Lincoln (TN-4)
Duncan, John J. Jr. (TN-2)
Hall of Shame:
Blackburn, Marsha (TN-7)
Cooper, Jim (TN-5)
Davis, David (TN-1)
Gordon, Bart (TN-6)
Tanner, John S. (TN-8)
Wamp, Zach (TN-3)
Texas
Hall of Fame:
Doggett, Lloyd (TX-25)
Green, Al (TX-9)
Green, Gene (TX-29)
Hinojosa, Ruben(TX-15)
Jackson-Lee, Sheila (TX-18)
Paul, Ron (TX-14)
Hall of Shame:
Barton, Joe (TX-6)
Brady, Kevin (TX-8)
Burgess, Michael C. (TX-26)
Carter, John R. (TX-31)
Conaway, K. Michael (TX-11)
Cuellar, Henry (TX-28)
Culberson, John Abney (TX-7)
Edwards, Chet (TX-17)
Gohmert, Louie (TX-1)
Gonzalez, Charles A. (TX-20)
Granger, Kay (TX-12)
Hall, Ralph M. (TX-4)
Hensarling, Jeb (TX-5)
Johnson, Eddie Bernice (TX-30)
Johnson, Sam (TX-3)
Lampson, Nick (TX-22)
McCaul, Michael T. (TX-10)
Marchant, Kenny (TX-24)
Neugebauer, Randy (TX-19)
Poe, Ted (TX-2)
Reyes, Silvestre (TX-16)
Rodriguez, Ciro D. (TX-23)
Sessions, Pete (TX-32)
Smith, Lamar (TX-21)
Thornberry, Mac (TX-13)
Ortiz, Solomon P. (TX-27) didn’t
vote
Utah
Hall of Shame:
Bishop, Rob (UT-1)
Cannon, Chris (UT-3)
Matheson, Jim (UT-2)
Virginia
Hall of Fame:
Boucher, Rick (VA-9)
Moran, James P. (VA-8)
Scott, Robert C. “Bobby” (VA-3)
Hall of Shame:
Cantor, Eric (VA-7)
Davis, Tom (VA-11)
Drake, Thelma D. (VA-2)
Forbes, J. Randy (VA-4)
Goode, Virgil H. Jr. (VA-5)
Goodlatte, Bob (VA-6)
Wolf, Frank R. (VA-10)
Davis, Jo Ann (VA-1) didn’t vote
Virgin Islands
Christensen, Donna M. (VI)
present
Vermont
Hall of Fame:
Welch, Peter (VT)
Washington
Hall of Fame:
Baird, Brian (WA-3)
Dicks, Norman D. (WA-6)
Inslee, Jay (WA-1)
Larsen, Rick (WA-2)
McDermott, Jim (WA-7)
Smith, Adam (WA-9)
Hall of Shame:
Hastings, Doc (WA-4)
McMorris Rodgers, Cathy (WA-5)
Reichert, David G. (WA-8)
Wisconsin
Hall of Fame:
Kennedy, Patrick J. (RI-1)
Langevin, James R. (RI-2)
Hall of Fame:
Baldwin, Tammy (WI-2)
Kagen, Steve (WI-8)
Kind, Ron (WI-3)
Moore, Gwen (WI-4)
Obey, David R. (WI-7)
Petri, Thomas E. (WI-6)
Hall of Shame:
Ryan, Paul (WI-1)
Sensenbrenner, James Jr. (WI-5)
South Carolina
West Virginia
Puerto Rico
Hall of Shame:
Fortuño, Luis G. didn’t vote
Rhode Island
Hall of Shame:
Barrett, J. Gresham (SC-3)
Brown, Henry E. Jr. (SC-1)
Clyburn, James E. (SC-6)
Inglis, Bob (SC-4)
Spratt, John M. Jr. (SC-5)
Wilson, Joe (SC-2)
Hall of Fame:
Mollohan, Alan B. (WV-1)
Rahall, Nick J. II (WV-3)
Hall of Shame:
Capito, Shelley Moore (WV-2)
Wyoming
Hall of Shame:
Cubin, Barbara (WY) didn’t vote
www.SOAW.org
Congress, cont. from page 1
school and human rights violations, until last
year, when the Pentagon abruptly refused to
in Latin America prompted Congress to
release the names of the graduates of the
move for its closure. A similar amendment
school. After waiting over nine months from
to prohibit funding for the school passed
the date of filing a Freedom of Information
the House of Representatives and lost by
Act (FOIA) request for the students from
one vote in conference committee. At the
2005, SOA Watch’s request was officially
next attempt that surely would have passed,
denied. In June of 2007, during a speech on
the Pentagon reacted with
the floor of the House,
Researchers continue to make the
a public relations ploy. In
Representative James
2001, the School of the
connections between the school and McGovern (D-MA)
Americas was renamed the
human rights violations.
held up the pages and
Western Hemisphere Institute
pages of blacked out
for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) . graduate names from the FOIA denial, and
Operations at the school continued in the
Members of Congress expressed their
same buildings, with the same instructors and
outrage. Although the vote that day to
with the same mission and mindset.
prohibit funding for the school failed by a
margin of six votes, Congress responded.
Since 2001, SOA Watch and its partner
organizations have shed a blinding spotlight
After WHINSEC and the Pentagon refused
on the school, demonstrating to many that
to release the graduate names, Congress
changing the name of a school does not wipe
demanded that they release the names in
away its bloody history. Research uncovered
report language accompanying the FY 2008
multiple cases of known human rights
Defense Appropriations bill. The language
abusers being rewarded with U.S. military
directs WHINSEC to release the full name,
training at WHINSEC. Despite WHINSEC’s
rank, country of origin, and dates attended
attempts to discredit human rights advocates
for each student in FY 2005 and 2006. For
in Latin America and to dispute the cases by
every year after that, WHINSEC has 60 days
circulating false information, the truth
to release the names to the public at the close
prevailed on the floor of the House of
of that fiscal year. This demand represents
Representatives in June 2007 when
an incredible victory for SOA Watch and
documented evidence proved the case
for all of those advocating for human
to close the SOA/WHINSEC.
rights, accountability and transparency.
Page/Página 9
Is your Rep. a co-sponsor of the bill to suspend
operations and investigate the SOA/WHINSEC?*
If not, take the time to call their office ( Capitol Switchboard:
202-224-3121). Ask to speak with the foreign affairs legislative
assistant and convey a message like this one:
”I am a constituent from (city/zip code) calling Congressman/
woman _______ to urge him/her to cosponsor HR 1707, The
Latin America Military Training Review Act of 2007. This bill
would suspend operations at and investigate the School of
the Americas, which is now using the acronym WHINSEC. I
urge the Congressman/woman to contact Rep. McGovern’s
office to become a cosponsor of this bipartisan bill. This
would be one very concrete step to support human rights
and promote peace and justice for the people of Latin America.
As my elected official in Washington D.C., I hope you will
represent me and support HR 1707.”
The most important step in making phone calls to your
Representative is the follow up call. Wait a couple weeks
and then follow up with a call asking if the aide has had a
chance to visit with their boss about cosponsoring HR 1707,
let them know that you look forward to hearing from them
soon. Build a good relationship with the aide.
*To find out if your Representative is a co-sponsor, visit
Shut it D
Researchers around the world
continued to make the
connections between the
The Congressional directive to
WHINSEC to release the names
of its graduates is a victory and a
steppingstone in SOA Watch’s
legislative campaign to
close this notorious
school. Representative
McGovern is the
sponsor of a
w i d e l y
supported,
bipartisan bill
www.SOAW.org/legislative
in the House, HR 1707, which would
suspend operations at the SOA/
WHINSEC, investigate
the use of torture
manuals and human
rights abuses associated
with the school, and provide an
overall assessment of foreign
military training. The legislation has
over 110 bipartisan cosponsors.
own!
Visit www.SOAW.org/legislative
for more information on the
legislative campaign, or
contact SOA Watch
Legislative Coordinator
Pam Bowman at
(202) 234-3440.
SOA Watch in Colombia, continued from page 5
regions of Colombia — the
collusion of different forces
of powers that legitimize
their illegal actions and
provide impunity for land
theft,
displacement,
assassinations, kidnappings,
and torture.
and the Aguilas Negras
paramilitary group. The
complex system of control
created between the armed
actors, companies, and
government offices has
created significant legal and
political isolation for the
communities, leaving them
exposed
to
further
victimization. There is
significant evidence that
testimony given to the local
prosecutor’s offices has been
turned over to paramilitaries,
often
within
hours.
Unfortunately, this is a reality
repeated throughout many
After ten years of
displacement,
the
communities of the collective
territories have made some
attempts to return to the land.
The construction of a
Humanitarian Zone has
created a more secure
physical space, fortified by the
presence of national and
international human rights
defenders. This is a step in
creating a broader space for
the affirmation of collective
memory and the victims’ right
to define their terms of
reparation.
On July 30, the communities
took another step toward the
reclamation of their land and
dignity. With the support of
internationals from Spain,
Italy, and the United States as
well as members of the
Comisión Intereclesial Justicia
y Paz from Bogotá,
community members from
different parts of the region
gathered to begin a process
of palm eradication.
The destruction of the
palm plants was a
creative and lifeaffirming act that will
create a space for
residents to grow food
to feed the community
and potentially to allow
more displaced peoples
to return. Clearing the
palm is a part of a larger
strategy of preserving
collective memory and
honoring the history of
the region’s residents.
The united participation
of
national
and
international workers will
hopefully lend some
protection to the community
residents and prevent a
violent response.
As a member of the
Commission, SOA Watch is
helping to support the
creative and important work
of some of our partners in
the most impacted areas of
Colombia. At the same time,
SOA Watch is gaining
valuable insight into the
current
reality
that
Colombians face, as
residents of the country that
sends the most soldiers to the
School of the Americas
every year.
Liz Deligio, and Charity Ryerson pictured with members of the Curvarado community as
they gather to cut palm as part of direct action to reclaim territory taken by paramilitary forces.
Página/Page 10
Otoño/Fall 2007
Algunas Consideraciones sobre la Seguridad
de Personas que están Considerando Participar en la Vigilia para
Cerrar la Escuela de
existen aun mas restricciones
las Americas
La
Vigilia para
Cerrar la Escuela
de las Americas
promete ser una reunión
extraordinaria de diversas
comunidades que estan
luchando por la justicia social,
incluyendo a los migrantes y
a sus aliados. Por medio de
él, esperamos tener un
impacto sobre la historia de
nuestra nación. Pero, al igual
que otros acontecimientos
históricos, no es algo sin
riesgo, especialmente para los
migrantes
y
otr@s
participantes que sean
particularmente vulnerables.
Este documento tiene la
intención de hacer conciencia
sobre algunos de los riesgos
que enfrentarán l@s
migrantes, en particular l@s
que no tengan documentos,
que participarán en la Vigilia
para Cerrar la Escuela de las
Americas. Este no es un
documento integral, ni tiene
como intención proveer
consejo legal. Si tiene
cualquier duda sobre su
situación, consulte con un/a
consejer@ o abogad@ de
migración antes de partir
rumbo a Columbus, GA.
Graphic: Ricardo Levins Morales,
www.northlandposter.com
Si no es ciudadan@, ya estará
acostumbrad@ a enfrentar
cuestiones relacionadas a la
aplicación de la ley y deberá
tomar decisiones
prácticas casi cada día. Esta
experiencia práctica y su
sentido común son las
mejores guías en decidir si
participará en la Vigilia para
Cerrar la Escuela de las
Americas.
Su participación le expondrá
a algo de riesgo adicional de
la aplicación de ley de
migración,
sea
documentad@
o
indocumentad@.
Es
imposible saber con adelanto
cuales son las posibilidades de
que se tope con este
problema.
Por principio, l@s
organizadores de la Vigilia
para Cerrar la Escuela de
las Americas no pedirán ni
comprobarán
su
ciudadanía o estado
migratorio. Usted es la
única persona que sabrá su
situación particular de
migración y puede evaluar
los riesgos.
Por causa de los grandes
riesgos que enfrentan en
particular l@s migrantes
indocumentad@s, algunos
cuyos están mencionados en
este documento, urgimos que
cualquier persona en esta
situación piense muy
cuidadosamente antes de
participar. Note que si tiene
una orden final de
deportación o expulsión, una
orden pendiente aun por
algo tan mínimo como
una multa no
pagada, o si ha
sido arrestad@
o
condenad@
en
el
pasado,
aunque haya
y
a
completado
su sentencia,
su riesgo
es aun mas
g r a n d e .
También note
q u e
para poner el libertad de
detención a jóvenes
indocumentad@s con menos
de 18 años que viajen sin
padre o tutela legal de las que
existen para adultos.
Usted y solo usted puede
determinar si los riesgos valen
la pena para participar.
¿Cuáles son algunos de los
riesgos de viajar, en
general?
Por favor lea esta información
cuidadosamente y discuta los
riesgos y medidas de
seguridad minuciosamente
con todo viajero antes de
viajar.
La mayoría de los migrantes
tienen un sentido general de
lo que es y no es seguro. Los
riesgos aumentan cuando
uno viaja por no estar
familiarizados con las
prácticas locales y los riesgos,
la aplicación aumentada de la
ley de migración a lo largo
del país durante el último año,
y por cualquier publicidad
que genere la Vigilia para
Cerrar la Escuela de las
Americas.
Los riesgos de usar
documentos falsos o
vencidos para viajar.
Los documentos de viaje e
identificación se están
verificando en estos días aun
mas cuidadosamente que
nunca. Si se le sorprende con
cualquier tipo de documento
falso, como un permiso de
trabajo de migración, licencia
de conducir, identificación
estatal, o tarjeta de Seguro
Social, no solo estaría en
riesgo de deportación, sino
que también puede estar
poniendo en riesgo cualquier
elegibilidad futura de obtener
estado de documentación
legal. También existen serios
castigos civiles y criminales
por fraude de documentos.
Los documentos vencidos
pueden ocasionar sospecha y
un mas alto nivel de
vigilancia.
Consideraciones por la
Seguridad en Columbus
L@s organizador@s de la
Vigilia para Cerrar la Escuela
de las Americas esperan,
anticipan y están planeando
que todos los acontecimientos
en Columbus, GA sean
completamente pacíficos y
ordenados. Sin embargo, no
todo estará bajo el control de
l@s organizador@s, en
particular si se desarrollan
contra-protestas o si los
agentes de orden local son
poco razonables en su
agresividad – las actividades
que no tengan permisos
correctos o acciones que
involucren desobediencia civil
también pueden resultar en
arrestos. Tales actividades
pueden llevar al arresto de los
participantes por una
variedad de infracciones tal
como entrar sin autorización,
obstaculizar la justicia, u otros
crímenes relacionados y mas
serios.
Si usted es un/a migrante
indocumentad@ y es
arrestado
por
tales
infracciones, puede enfrentar
una deportación. Si está en el
país legalmente pero no es
ciudadan@ de los EEUU,
un arresto tal puede llevar
consecuencias hasta e
incluyendo una eventual
deportación. Depende del
crimen específico y de
muchos otros factores si
tendría este efecto en su caso
particular.
Para obtener informacion
mas detallada por favor visite
www.soaw.org/seguridad
Este documento tiene como intención proveerle
información general y precisa sobre algunos de los
riesgos y las consecuencias de ciertas opciones, a la
par de sugerencias prácticas, para participantes en la
Vigilia para Cerrar la Escuela de las Americas. Este
documento no tiene la intención de proveer consejo
legal, y no debe ser tomado como consejo legal. L@s
organizador@s y patrocinador@s de estas actividades
no son responsables por cualquier uso que se le ponga
a este documento. No se fíe solamente de la
información contenida en este documento sin
consultar con un/a abogad@ o con la agencia
pertinente sobre sus derechos legales y su situación
particular.
www.SOAW.org
Page/Página 11
Para
Para que
que nunca
nunca más
más se
se violen
violen los
los derechos
derechos humanos:
humanos:
No más educación
para la muerte
por Pablo Ruiz, Observadores de la Escuela de las
Américas, Correo-E: [email protected]
Protesta para cerrar la Escuela de las Americas en Santiago, Chile.
SANTIAGO, Chile - Chile es uno de los países que sigue
enviando militares a la Escuela de las Américas. El año pasado 170
soldados chilenos recibieron instrucción militar en el Fuerte
Benning en los mismos Estados Unidos. El 2006 el Pentágono
reconoció, sin embargo, en una nomina pública que eran sólo 32
los estudiantes chilenos que asistían a los cursos de la Escuela de
las Américas pero la verdad supero con creces la participación de
nuestro país en esta academia militar.
El listado que recibió, de Américas constituye un
humanos sucedidas en Chile.
parte del gobierno de los escándalo y una vergüenza.
Todos tienen como común
Estados Unidos, la Es una vergüenza porque acá
denominador haber recibido
organización de derechos miles de chilenos fueron
instrucción militar en la
humanos SOAW, producto torturados, exiliados,
Escuela de las Américas
de la exigencia de la enmienda ejecutados y desaparecidos
operada por el Ejercito de los
de libertad de expresión, no por militares que se
Estados Unidos.
sólo tenía tachados los graduaron en la Escuela de
nombres de los militares las Américas.
Es una vergüenza porque las
chilenos
y
victimas no
latinoamericanos
“Esa historia sigue viva y levanta las voces solo siguen
que asisten a estos
exigiendo
de
las
miles
de
victimas
de
Latinoamérica
cursos sino que
justicia hasta el
también las cifras que gritan que se cierre para siempre esta
día de hoy, a lo
no resultaron del
largo
de
todo correctas. institución militar.”
n
u
e
s
t
r
o
- Pablo Ruiz
¿Por qué se mintió,
continente, sino
en el número de
que, por sobre
alumnos chilenos? ¿Por qué Es una vergüenza porque
cualquier otra cosa, exigen
se esconden los nombres de todos saben, en el gobierno
que lo que sucedió no vuelva
los militares que asisten a la chileno como en el mundo,
a suceder en ningún rincón de
Escuela de las Américas si ella que en la Escuela de las
la tierra y para que eso sea
enseña “democracia” como Américas explícitamente se
posible nunca más los
dicen las autoridades que educó para torturar y asesinar
militares chilenos y
defienden a esta institución?
latinoamericanos deben
a los potenciales “enemigos
recibir entrenamiento en
internos”. Los nombres de
Lo cierto es que para las los graduados chilenos lo
ningún centro militar que este
organizaciones chilenas y ratifican cada día en que sus
cuestionado por la
fundamentalmente para las nombres aparecen en la
comunidad internacional. Y la
miles de víctimas de prensa de nuestro país y no
Escuela de las Américas esta
violaciones a los derechos es casual que sus nombres se
cuestionada, más allá del
humanos el envío de militares asocien a las peores
nombre con la que se quiera
chilenos a la Escuela de las violaciones a los derechos
borrar su historia. Esa historia
Más información:
sigue viva y levanta las voces
de las miles de victimas de
Latinoamérica que gritan que
se cierre para siempre esta
institución militar.
La noticia de que 203
representantes del Congreso
norteamericano apoyaron la
moción legislativa presentada
por McGovern para cerrar la
Escuela de las Américas,
votada en junio reciente y que
por seis votos no fue
aprobada, dan cuenta que este
es un tema de vital
importancia.
Los
latinoamericanos nos
sentimos esperanzados en que
más her manos, en los
Estados Unidos, se sumen a
esta causa por los derechos
humanos y digan “no en
nuestro nombre”. No más
torturas, no más asesinatos,
no más desaparecidos: no
más Escuela de las Américas.
En Chile las organizaciones
que trabajan en los
Observadores de la Escuela
de las Américas nos sentimos
comprometidos con el
movimiento SOAW y con
nuestros
her manos
prisioneros de conciencia
quienes con su ejemplo dan
voces a los muertos y
fundamentalmente dan
esperanzas al mundo de que
es posible construir una
humanidad en que ninguna
vida vuelva a ser cegada por
el odio y la muerte
propagada por la Escuela de
las Américas.
Nunca Más:
Ni asesinos,
ni torturadores,
ni dictadores
No más
envíos de
militares
chilenos a la
Escuela de las
Américas
Pablo
Ruiz,
de
las
organizaciones de derechos
humanos
Kamarikun
y
Observadores de la Escuela de
las Americas, en una
conferencia de prensa.
Cerremos la Escuela de las Américas
http://observadoreschile.blogspot.com – www.SOAWLatina.org
Página/Page 12
Otoño/Fall 2007
202.234.3440
Contact SOA Watch at
www.SOAW.org
For more information:
Saturday, Nov. 17
Massive Rally at the
Gates of Fort Benning,
Puppet Pageant,
Action Spokescouncil
Friday, Nov. 16
Teach-Ins, Nonviolence
Trainings, Concert
Thursday, Nov. 15
Concert in Atlanta, GA
Workshops, Trainings
Schedule of Events:
Take a Stand for Justice!
Vigil
and Nonviolent
Direct Action
Fort Benning, GA
Sunday, Nov. 18
Vigil, Commemoration
of the Victims of SOA/
WHINSEC Violence,
Nonviolent Direct Action
Sc
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Am
eric
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November 15-18, 2007
Photo: Andi Gelsthorpe
PO Box 4566
Washington, DC 20017
Address Service Requested
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