----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 10:01 PM Subject: [STOPNATO.ORG.UK] Vigil to close the SOA STOP NATO: �NO PASARAN! - HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Start Your Own FREE Email List at http://www.listbot.com/links/joinlb
From: School of the Americas Watch DC [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 4:01 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Updates - November Vigil to close the SOAClose the School of Assassins!
Vigil and Nonviolent Civil Disobedience
Fort Benning, Georgia ~ November 17th - 19th 2000
Intro This years scenario & updated schedule Urgent Appeal for Peacekeepers Regional NV-training & bus ride information Update on the upcoming trial against the SOA Watch Activists arrested in Philadelphia during the Republican National Convention Puppet Convergence Nov.14th – 17th Close the SOA: 2nd Annual Young Adult Convergence - Nov 16th Development in the cases of the four US churchwomen Maura Clarke, Jean Donovan, Ita Ford and Dorothy KazelNew Video "SOA: Guns and Greed" - connects the IMF/World Bank and Sweatshop issue with the SOA Musicians across the line Previous notice for legislative action
1.)
In five weeks, thousands will gather at the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia to commemorate our sisters and brothers who have died, and who continue to suffer throughout Latin America - tortured, intimidated, killed and "disappeared" by graduates of the infamous U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA).
Soldiers at the SOA are trained to protect the interests of U.S. corporations and maintain the economic status quo for the few rich and powerful in the U.S. and their cohorts in Latin America.On November 18-19, we will stand in Solidarity with the people of Latin America and serve notice that we will not be accomplices to these cruel politics. We will speak for voices silenced by graduates of the SOA and demand the closing of the ‘School of Assassins'. The preparations for the Vigil and the Nonviolent Civil Disobedience are in high gear and the hotels in and around Columbus are filling quickly (If you check the hotels [http://www.soaw.org/Articles/newsletter/hotel_list.htm] for availability, be sure to mention SOA Watch group rate).__________________________________________________________
2.)
This year’s scenario will include the traditional funeral procession by thousands of participants onto the Ft. Benning base. It will maintain the same tone and spirit that has inspired and energized so many over the previous ten years. As in the last year there will be a high-risk option for those who are committed to joining the nine currently in prison (last year the nine were among 75 people others who took part in a high-risk-action); they led the procession, donned in black shrouds, wearing "death masks" and carrying coffins. Stopped by the police, they enacted a die-in; ten were prosecuted and nine are currently serving prison sentences ranging from 3 – 12 months. Additionally, this year there will be individual affinity groups grounded in our nonviolent discipline and also committed to going to prison who will engage in autonomous, high-risk actions. To maintain the solemnity of the procession, these actions will not take place at the same time, nor in the same location as the traditional procession. The objective of all actions will be the same--to peacefully bring attention to the violence perpetrated against our sisters and brothers in Latin America by the training at the School of Assassins.Affinity groups planning actions, or those interested in being involved in the high-risk action must contact SOA Watch (PO Box 4566 ~ Washington DC 20017) by November 1st.
For more information about the scenario, affinity-group actions, decision-making and legal issues visit:
http://www.soaw.org/Articles/newsletter/combinednovinfo.htmOrganizing-packets with detailed information about the vigil/action at Ft. Benning and an assortment of tools to help you organize your group are available for $3 from
SOA Watch ~ PO Box 4566 ~ Washington DC 20017
Updated Schedule:
Vigil at the Gate; Saturday Nov. 18th 11am – 5pm
Vigil and Nonviolent Civil Disobedience; Sunday Nov 19th 9am – 5pm
‘Logistics and Orientation’ sessions for those ‘Crossing the line’ in the solem funeral procession
Bradley Theater, 1241 Broadway Columbus, GA Friday, November 17th 6:00 – 7:30pm or 8:00 – 9:30pm Saturday, November 18th 10:00 – 11:30am. 6:00 – 7:30pm or 8:00 – 9:30pm
Peacekeeper Orientation:
Bradley Theater, Saturday 8:00 – 9:30am
‘Logistics and Orientation’ session for those planning high-risk or affinity group actions:
Howard Johnson Inn, 1011 Veterans Pkwy, Columbus, GA
Saturday November 18th 8:30 – 11:00am or 6:00-8:30am
Meeting of Affinity Group Representatives:
Howard Johnson Inn Saturday November 18th 9:00-10:00pm
_________________________________________________________________
3.)
URGENT APPEAL FOR PEACEKEEPERS:
We cannot stress enough how important it is this year, more than ever before, that we have at least 500, if not more, Peacekeepers who are willing to volunteer during the vigil on both Saturday and Sunday. We need your help:
http://www.soaw.org/Articles/newsletter/peacekeepers_needed.htm Peacekeeper Guidelines: http://www.soaw.org/Articles/newsletter/peacekeeper_guidelines.htm________________________________________________________________
4.)
Send us your contact information
: We have added two new pages to our website to publicize local nonviolence trainings (http://www.soaw.org/Articles/newsletter/local_nonviolence_trainings_sche.htm)and busses going to Fort Benning (
http://www.soaw.org/Articles/newsletter/groups_organizing_trips_to_fort_.htm). We are also adding another with the contact information about groups working on the SOA issue.Please email your information to us at
[EMAIL PROTECTED] so we can post it!_____________________________________________________________
5.)
Trial against the SOA Watch Activists Arrested During the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Philadelphia
(for Photos of the action: http://www.soaw-ne.org/RNCarrest.htm ): The following SOA Watch activists have rejected the prosecutors "plea bargain" of 6 months probation and $300 fine:Bill Brown, Becky Johnson, Linda Panetta, Alison Styan and Laurel Paget-Seekins. A trial date of December 19 has been set–this date coincides with the Acteal massacre in Mexico (December 22, 1997); the anniversaries of the El Mozote massacre (over 900 killed), and the 20-year anniversary of the rape and murder of 4 US churchwomen in El Salvador. There will be a vigil / protest outside of the courthouse on the 19th! For more information check
www.soaw-ne.org_______________________________________________________________________
6.)
Things are progressing nicely on the Puppet Convergence at Koinonia in November. 20 puppetistas are already confirmed and lots more folks have expressed interest. If you want to participate (experience is not required) contact Laurel or Bruce at Mad River Puppets (253) 572-6582,
[EMAIL PROTECTED]_______________________________________________________________________
7.)
Last year, nearly two hundred people gathered to network, reflect and dialogue on our efforts to work for
social justice locally, nationally and internationally. In light of this past year's events in Seattle, Washington DC, and at the political conventions, let's keep the conversation going and the work moving forward.
"Close the SOA: 2nd Annual Young Adult Convergence" will take place at Koinonia Farms, located in Americus, GA, (only 45 minutes away from Ft. Benning's main gate) beginning Thursday, November 16. We'll be holding a variety of roundtable discussions, opportunities for networking and sharing information on issues and methods, optional interfaith worship and much more.Koinonia Farms will be providing meals and accommodations that include bunk space, indoor sleeping space and camping from the beginning of the convergence on through the weekend's events at Ft. Benning. The convergence is being sponsored by the Pax Christi USA Young Adult Forum (a branch of Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace movement) and is open to all college students and young adults.
To register or for more information, please contact: Christine Brown at
[EMAIL PROTECTED] or (814) 825-9009 (east coast contact); or Steve Hughes at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or (360) 250-2510 (west coast contact)._______________________________________________________________________
8.)
On Dec. 2, 1980, four US churchwomen -- Maura Clarke, Jean Donovan, Ita Ford and Dorothy Kazel -- were forced out of their van by members of the Salvadoran National Guard who raped and killed them. Three of the five linked to the case were SOA-trained. Another was a guest speaker at the SOA. Two were granted residence in the U.S.
The families of the churchwomen, with pro bono representation, filed a lawsuit in May 1999 naming two former Salvadoran officials for the wrongful deaths of their relatives. Both defendants, Jose G. Garcia (SOA graduate) and Carlos V. Casanova (guest speaker at the SOA) currently reside in Florida. The trial is scheduled to begin October 10, 2000 in a Federal District Court in West Palm Beach, Florida. Check:
http://www.lchr.org/lac/nuns/nuns.htm_______________________________________________________________________
9.)
The New SOA Video is Available NOW!
From its beginning, the SOA's mission has been to protect - at any cost - US corporate and economic interests in Latin America. SOA: Guns and Greed connects the SOA to sweatshops, the IMF and the World Bank.
This new 20 minute video from Maryknoll World Productions shows how the SOA provides the military muscle to enforce the free trade agenda that exploits the poor and the resources of their countries. The economic rape of the poor could not stand without the repressive military apparatus that brutalizes those who rise up to resist.
SOA: Guns and Greed combines rarely seen footage from Latin America with powerful statements from students, veterans, union organizers and others working to close this School of Assassins. Suitable for both experienced activists and those new to the issue, this is an excellent tool to use in your organizing for November and throughout the year.
$8.95 + $4 shipping
Maryknoll World Productions (800) 227-8523
Fax: (914) 762-6567 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
_______________________________________________________________________
10.)
Songleaders are organizing to be present with those crossing the line onto Fort Benning this year. We need 150 Songleader volunteers to help facillitate the raising of song among those gathered on the road, inside the base. To be successful, we need ALL local & state SOA Watch leaders / coordinators to contact singers they know in their local communities.
Let them know we have a need for singers across the line this year. We all know how song can help magnify our message, strengthen our community and unite our witness. Please help us gather 150 Songleaders for our vigil on the road this Nov. 19.
Dave Martin from the Chicago area is coordinating the songleader initiative. If you’re interested, contact Dave at
[EMAIL PROTECTED] or 630-268-8639._______________________________________________________________________
11.)
The Congressional elections are approaching soon and we need to let the candidates know, that we are watching their stand on human rights and the SOA. With the floor votes in the House as close as they have been in the last few years, a handful of election victory’s this fall could make a huge difference in our legislative campaign next year. We will be sending out detailed information and a plan of action in an upcoming email soon!
See you in November at the gate!
In Peace and Solidarity,
SOA Watch ~
P.O. Box 4566 ~ Washington DC 20017 ~ (202) 234 3440 ~ [EMAIL PROTECTED] ~ www.soaw.orgPS: The movement to close the SOA is growing and as our URGENT ACTION EMAIL LIST approached 10,000 subscribers, we out grew the capacity of our office e-mail program. We have moved our e-mail-list to a new server. As before, the SOA Watch list will provide you with URGENT ACTION ALERTS about upcoming votes in Congress and the latest developments so you can respond with legislative work, local media work, and Direct Action. Additionally, we will send out monthly updates regarding the SOA issue.
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