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Following is an introduction to a Social Justice Issue: "Close School of the Americas." (Dorothy and Gwen Hennessey, OSF, as inspirational people, David Corcoran's "We Are All One Body", and Joyce Ellwanger's "Prison Fog" are complementary pieces.) Links to web sites are included for *in-depth information, *analysis, *action ideas, *contacts, and *organizing initiatives. You are encouraged to use the links to take you to facets of this issue that speak to your heart, mind, and desire to unite your faith with action. |
Close
"School of the Americas"*
"School of the Americas" SOA Watch Major SOA Protests U.S. Defense/Congressional Actions Action Alerts!
* The "School of the Americas" or "SOA" are the common names for the school, even after it was renamed the "Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation" in 2001.
The U.S. "School of the Americas"* (SOA), as it is still commonly known, trains Latin American soldiers in commando operations, infantry tactics, military intelligence, counter-insurgency, and anti-narcotics operations. It is based in Fort Benning, Georgia.
Hundreds of thousands of Latin Americans have been tortured, raped, assassinated, "disappeared", massacred, and forced into refuge by SOA graduates. (This pattern of abuse is similar to the atrocities at Abu Ghraib military prison in Iraq.) Others have been responsible for horrible massacres and abuses, including the assassinations of El Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero and Guatemalan Bishop Juan Gerardi. An SOA graduate was also arrested for the murder of Columbian Archbishop Isaías Duarte.
Redress for horrible actions is possible, albeit belatedly. In July 2002, two SOA-trained generals were convicted of being responsible for rape, torture, and other atrocities during El Salvador's bloody civil war.
In February 2004, due to the human rights abuses attibuted to graduates of the school, Venezuela ceased all training of its soldiers at the School of the Americas. Since then, Uruguay and Argentina have rejected SOA training of their soldiers. Chile and Brazil may be next to do so.
SOA Watch "is an independent organization that seeks to close the U.S. Army School of the Americas through vigils and fasts, demonstrations and nonviolent protest, as well as media and legislative work." This dedicated group of social activists has organized protests at Fort Benning for several years.
The demonstrations are organized each year on or around the November 16, 1989 anniversary of the killings of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and her daughter. A United Nations panel found that the 19 Salvadoran officers involved in the slayings were trained at the SOA.
November 2007 "The 18th annual Vigil to Close the SOA was one of the largest and most vibrant yet" -- over 25,000 participated. Check out the slideshow.
November 2006 Nearly 22,000 people came to the gates of Fort Benning to demand that the infamous School of the Americas be closed for good.
November 2005 Thirty-one activists were sentenced to prison.
November 2004 Prior to this gathering, the 11th Circuit Court upheld the Constitution and ruled that search policy violates First and Fourth Amendments, so an estimated 16,000 protesters at Fort Benning did not face metal detectors.
November 2003 Sister Helen Prejeanand Pete Seeger highlighted the afternoon rally. Despite increased security measures and disruptive music from Fort Benning, 10,000 protesters peacefully converged for nonviolent action.
November 2002 Led by puppets and stilt walkers, an estimated 10,000 protesters peacefully converged. Ninety-six people were arrested for crossing further onto the base property.
(Joyce Ellwanger, one of the 42, wrote "Prison Fog" to convey her dehumanizing experience of being in jail.)
November 2001 Approximately 80 people were arrested for entering Fort Benning; the SOA 43 were tried and sentenced in July 2002 (see photos).
(Kathleen Desautels, OP, one of the 43, acted because "I carry the burden of knowing. I cannot not act in solidarity with the poor.")
November 2000 Police arrested 1,700 protestors who marched into Fort Benning, demanding closure of the SOA. Approximately twice that number had entered the post, chanting and carrying cardboard coffins and crosses, while others continued the protest outside the gates.
(In May 2001, 26 activists received sentences ranging from two years probation to one year in federal prison for their acts of nonviolent civil disobedience. Included in this extraordinary group were sibling Dubuque Franciscan sisters, Dorothy and Gwen Hennessey who began their jail sentences in July 2001. Another inspiring member of the "SOA 26" was David Corcoran, who gave a moving testimony before the judge, "We Are All One Body.")
1999-2000 In November 1999, the Army announced plans to change the name of the SOA and rewrite its charter. On January 17, 2001, the "School of the Americas" name was changed to "Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation." (The school continues to be a combat training school for Latin American soldiers and continues to be located at Ft. Benning.)
Also in 1999, Representative Joe Moakley (D-MA) introduced House bill, H.R. 732, to close the SOA; there were 156 cosponsors. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) introduced S. 873 in the Senate; there were 15 cosponsors.
2005-6 Session Representative Jim McGovern's (D-MA) bill, The Latin America Military Training Review Act of 2005, H.R. 1217, had 134 cosponsors. In what was an amazing vote and a very positive step forward, funding was cut for the School of the Americas/WHINSEC.
2007-8 Session Despite a tremendous grassroots mobilizing effort, Congress defeated the McGovern/Lewis amendment to cut funding for the SOA/WHINSEC by a margin of six votes in June 2007. However, multi-faceted, grassroots efforts continue.
There are several ways to raise consciousness and build support to close the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation:
- Help organize for the November 21-23, 2008 vigil to close the SOA.
- Sign the petition that urges the presidential candidates to close SOA/WHINSEC.
- Urge your representative to co-sponsor H.R. 1707 (125 cosponsors as of September 30, 2008) to suspend the SOA/WHINSEC. If s/he is already a cosponsor, express your gratitude.
- Act in solidarity with SOA Watch prisoners of conscience.
- Organize a teach-in to educate others about the SOA/WHISC; use SOA Watch Info, including their 2008 Elections packet.
- Read the inspiring story about Dorothy and Gwen Hennessey, OSF, and David Corcoran's moving testimony before the judge, "We Are All One Body."
- Send a donation to SOA Watch.
- Using books, tapes, and videos -- educate family members, friends, coworkers, and members of church and civic groups about the nature of the school and the need to close it.
Acknowledgements
SOA Watch for use of its graphic.
Pictures: Sister Janice Borst, SCC, and Mary Pat Hill, OSM.
Modified October 1, 2008.