Call today to close the SOA

[roody]

North and South, the People Say, Close the SOA!
ALERT: MORE PHONE CALLS NEEDED FOR SOA/WHINSEC VOTE!

Today the House votes on the SOA/ WHINSEC amendment and we've received word that more calls and emails are needed! We expect a VERY close vote and every phone call, email and fax may make the difference in achieving a victory for human rights!
Even if you made a call yesterday, please make one again! Ask the office directly: "How will the Representative be voting today?" Report back to info(at)soaw(dot)org
The McGovern-Sestak-Bishop (GA) amendment would release to the public the names, ranks, country of origin, courses and dates attended of students and instructors at the SOA/ WHINSEC. This information is vital to the work of Congress and human rights organizations to ensure accountability for serious crimes and make the public aware of serious atrocities linked to graduates and instructors of the SOA/ WHINSEC.
SEND AN EMAIL AND FAX TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE NOW!
CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE!
WEDNESDAY, May 21 - THURSDAY, May 22:
202-224-3121
(Congressional Switchboard Number)
Once your call is forwarded to the office of your Representative, ask to speak with the military affairs legislative assistant. Here is a suggested message for you to convey:
"Hello,
My name is __________, and as your constituent, I urge you to vote YES on the McGovern-Sestak-Bishop (GA) amendment to the National Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year 2009. The amendment would release the names, country of origin, rank and dates of attendance at WHINSEC for graduates and instructors. This amendment is supported by Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Congressman Ike Skelton.
As you may know the School of the Americas, renamed WHINSEC, has a notorious history linked to serious crimes and human rights abuses throughout Latin America. In the past few years under WHINSEC, known human rights abusers have attended the school and WHINSEC instructors have been arrested in Colombia for returning home and aiding the drug cartels. None of this information would be known if the basic information about enrollment at WHINSEC were not disclosed. This information is vital to the work of Congress and human rights organizations who seek protection of human rights and promoting transparency, however all FOIA requests for this information are now being denied.
What is WHINSEC hiding?! Voting YES on the McGovern-Sestak-Bishop (GA) amendment is a vote FOR human rights and FOR transparency. I urge your boss to vote YES!!!"
SEND AN EMAIL AND FAX TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE NOW!
For more information, visit the SOA Watch website and the Legislative Action Index.

For SOA Watch to become a movement that has the power to make real change and to close the SOA/WHINSEC once and for all, the organization needs your financial support. Every dollar is needed. Please take a moment now to make a donation. Thank you!




New DVD: On The Line

On the Line is an inside look at the people behind one of the largest nonviolent movements in America today: the movement to close the School of the Americas/WHINSEC. In a world where politics, passion, and Constitutional rights collide, protesters discuss their activism, the dark side of U.S. foreign policy, and the challenges of protesting since 9/11. (55 min.) - Click here to order it now for only $20 incl. shipping and handling


We appreciate your interest! You are subscribed to this list as [e-mail].
Click here to unsubscribe, or reply to this email with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
Contact us.
Our mailing address is:
SOA Watch, PO Box 4566, Washington, D.C. 20017, USA

Our telephone:
[phone]

Donate to Support the Campaign to Shut Down the SOA/WHINSEC

[roody]

1. Call today!!

[roody]

2. Call on Friday.