Hemisphere Wide Actions to Close the SOA

[roody]

Source: soa watch

November 13, 2007

Hemisphere Wide Actions to Close the SOA!


During the weekend of November 16-18, 2007 thousands will converge at the gates of Fort Benning for a weekend of workshops, benefit concerts, film screenings, puppet shows, a presence at the gates of Fort Benning and non violent direct action.
We are thrilled to announce that once again, simultaneous actions calling for the closing of the SOA/WHINSEC and a drastic change in U.S. foreign policy will be held in Santiago, Chile; Tucson, Arizona; Berkeley, California; Monterey, California; and Toronto, Canada.
- See an updated Schedule of Events, Directions, the November Organizing Packet and Resources for the November 16-18 Vigil to Close the SOA/WHINSEC.
- Videos about the SOA and SOA Watch - updated with a video of the Prince Myshkins song "Me, Mimi and 100 Nuns," a clip of Salvadoran torture survivor Carlos Mauricio in Austin, TX last Sunday; and a clip about the SOA/WHINSEC from John Pilgers' documentary "The War on Democracy". Watch the short films and pass them on to family and friends.
We encourage all of those who will not be able to attend the Vigil at Fort Benning to attend similar events in their communities or organize their own event. No matter how small and how simple, coming together with your community to celebrate the struggle and lives of those who have suffered under SOA/WHINSEC sponsored violence in Latin America and work towards a change in U.S. foreign policy can be an effective way to raise awareness and create a stronger bond amongst fellow peace and justice advocates in your area. Film screenings, workshops, roundtable discussions, candlelight vigils, fasts, benefit concerts, street theater, and creative forms of protest and non violent direct action are all great ways to reach out and make your voice be heard!

SANTIAGO, CHILE:
November 13 - 17: Chile-based human rights organizations and SOA Watch Latina have come together and will be hosting a series of events during November 13, 16 and 17 to create awareness about the SOA/WHINSEC and demand that Chile cease to send troops to the notorious school.
The events include a film screening, roundtable discussion, delivering a letter to President Michelle Bachelet requesting that Chile cease to send troops to the SOA/WHINSEC, and a walk for Peace & Justice in downtown Santiago.
- Find out more about this event...
- Visit SOA Watch Latina (in Spanish)
- Watch a Video of the November 2006 Action to Close the SOA in Chile

TORONTO, CANADA
Sunday, November 18 - 1pm: Come remember the victims of the School of the Americas through image and dance and call for a close to the SOA/WHINSEC and for Canada to pull out of the school. Please bring a symbol (photo, book, banner) of a person, a movement or a country that's suffered at the hands of SOA graduates that you'd like us all to remember - PRESENTE!
After a litany of remembrance, we'll do a simple powerful circle dance called the Elm Dance together. (See the history of this dance at the end of the e-mail.) - Meet at Canada Life building on west side of University north of Queen and south of the US Consulate at 1:00.

TUCSON, ARIZONA
November 17-18: Over the last couple of years, there has been a small but growing demonstration in front of Ft. Huachuca to protest our country's slipping standards on torture. This year, the witness will be dramatically expanded to include a "Teach-in" against Torture on Saturday, November 17th, a showing of the powerful movie "The Ghosts of Abu Ghraib" and a procession and witness to end the War in Iraq on Saturday night (all to be held in Tucson), and the events at the main gate of Ft. Huachuca in Sierra Vista on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Find out more about the Southwest Weekend Against Torture at Fort Huachuca

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Friday, November 16 - 12:00 noon through Sunday Nov. 18 - 5:00 pm
Location: Outside the lower gate to the Presidio of Monterey
Lighthouse Ave. and Pvt. Bolio Rd., Monterey, CA
The Direct Action Task Force Against Torture will be holding its second annual vigil against torture outside the Presidio of Monterey. This year's event will focus on education and awareness in calling for a total cessation of the use of torture by any country, and closure of the School of the Americas in Ft. Benning, Georgia. The Quit Torture Teach-In & Vigil is ongoing from Friday, Nov. 16 at 12:00 noon through Sunday, Nov. 18 at 5:00 pm outside the gates to the Presidio, at Pvt. Bolio Rd. and Lighthouse Ave.
- Find out more about this event

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
Wednesday, November 14: 6pm to 8pm Richmond High students with the support of Buzz Sherwood will conduct their own ceremony honoring those killed and abused by the SOA graduates. Their litany will be made up of their own family members who have been tortured and lost. We are all invited to join with these remarkable young people. To get there from the south, go up 80 to Mac Donald exit, head left to 23rd, turn right on 23rd and the school will be on your right some blocks down.
Sunday, November 18: at 5pm friends will gather on the steps of St. Joseph's Church at 1640 Addison, Berkeley, CA. You are encouraged to bring a candle and the Bill O'Donnell Social Justice Committee will lead a vigil of solidarity with the SOA Watch movement throughout the Hemisphere.
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Repeal the U.S. Torture Law

The Military Commissions Act, which torture survivors have renamed "the torture law", allows the President and Pentagon to:
* Sexually assault detainees
* Introduce evidence acquired by torture
* Disappear non-US Citizens indefinitely
* Conduct unfair and arbitrary trials
* Deny Geneva Conventions protections
* Kill anyone they determine to be guilty
- TAKE ACTION NOW to Repeal the Military Commissions Act of 2006
- Learn more about the survivors of torture who created torturelaw.org
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Attend the Research Working Group Planning Session


We need skilled researchers! The Research Working Group of SOA Watch has scheduled a strategy and planning session at this year's Vigil in Columbus, GA. Join us if you're interested in participating in upcoming research projects!
Friday, November 16th - 3:00pm-4:30pm at the Days Inn on 3170 Victory Dr, Columbus, GA.
Please contact the Research Working Group coordinator at: pbowman(at)soaw(dot)org


Read more: soaw.org

[EFerrari]

1. Kick and thank you.

[BuddhaGirl]

2. Thanks for the info!

glad to see Berkeley is involved! I hope to be there!

[roody]

4. The Marin Interfaith Task Force is very involved

in this work. Two well known members are Charles and Judy Liteky.

[roody]

3. k

[roody]

5. A link that works

www.soaw.org

[roody]

6. k