Thirty years ago, the U.S. government orchestrated one of the bloodiest
coups in Latin America. On Sept. 11, 1973, General Pinochet ousted the
democratically elected government of Salvador Allende in Chile. Tens of
thousands of Chileans were killed on that day. The 1973 coup and its bloody
aftermath were largely the work of SOA graduates. Ten of Pinochets
high-ranking officials graduated from the School of the Americas (SOA).
Although the dictator Pinochet himself was not an SOA graduate, his
influence is clearly held in high esteem. In 1991, visitors could view a
note from Pinochet, and a ceremonial sword donated by him, on display in the
office of the SOA commandant.
Join thousands at the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia from November 21-23,
2003 to commemorate all victims of terror and demand an end to impunity.
Stand up for justice and against the double standard in the War on
Terrorism - organize to close the SOA (renamed Western Hemisphere Institute
for Security Cooperation).
1) What to expect in Fort Benning, Georgia
2) Legal Briefing for People Considering Civil Disobedience
3) Transportation information
4) Housing
5) Make it happen
6) Outreach Material
7) Upcoming Events Calendar (trainings, regional meetings etc.)
8) Donate to SOA Watch
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COME TO FORT BENNING, GEORGIA
For a preliminary schedule of the November 21-23, 2003 events to close the
SOA in Fort Benning, Georgia, to read what will happen at the rally at the
gates of the base on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2003, what the scenario for the
nonviolent direct action on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003 will look like and how
decisions are being made, visit http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=418
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LEGAL BRIEFING
Bill Quigley, a lawyer from the Loyola University School of Law prepared a
basic briefing that is giving answers to questions regarding the legal
consequences of crossing the line onto the military base (including
citizenship, studentgrants, possible prison sentences etc.). To read the
legal briefing visit: http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=664
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TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
If you are organizing busses to Fort Benning or if you are looking for a
ride to the vigil action, list your information on the ride board. You can
find the ride board and more information about plane tickets, charter buses
and driving directions here:
http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=427
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HOUSING
SOA Watch has rooms in several hotels in the Columbus, GA area booked on
group rate and the hotels are filling up fast (some are already booked out).
A listing of housing options is posted here:
http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=399
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MAKE IT HAPPEN
Communities across North America are busy preparing for the November vigil
to close the SOA/WHISC. Now is the time to organize video showings,
fundraisers, talks and other outreach events, to spread the word in order to
fill the buses from your region. Talk to your local media about your
participation in the protests to close the SOA. Order or download an
Organizing Packet for more suggestions (see below). We also need people who
can build and bring crosses, Stars of David, Birds of Liberation and other
commemorative symbols for the solemn funeral procession at the gates of Fort
Benning. We also need Indymedia activists, street medics, puppetistas,
peacekeepers and many more volunteers, who can help out with tasks during
the weekend in Georgia. Please contact John at (202) 234 3440 in the SOA
Watch office in DC if you will be able to help out during the vigil action.
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OUTREACH MATERIAL
Download the free, print-ready SOA Watch Info, a four-page compilation of
hard facts and exposing information about the School of the Americas/WHISC
and distribute it in your community:
http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=662
Download fliers for the November vigil action and other info material here:
http://www.soaw.org/new/sub.php?id=29
You can order the SOA Watch November 2003 Organizing Packet from SOA Watch
or download it from the web: http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=651
For educational videos and books to educate yourself and others about the
SOA/WHISC, visit: http://www.soaw.org/new/sub.php?id=2
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Visit the events calendar for more information about the SOA Watch Lobby Day
on September 23, upcoming trainings in preparation for the November Vigil
Action, regional SOA Watch Strategy meetings, etc.
http://www.soaw.org/new/calendar.php
SOA Watch founder Father Roy Bourgeois is traveling across the country
(South Carolina, Iowa, Wisconsin, DC, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania,
Montana, New Hampshire, Louisiana, Nebraska, Illinois) to talk to
communities about why the SOA has to close. Visit
http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=412 to see his speaking schedule.
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DONATE TO SOA WATCH
SOA Watch needs to raise $45,000 by November 1st, 2003 to be able to pay for
this years November vigil action expenses (e.g. outreach, the media
campaign, sound and stage equipment, portable toilets, fax and phone lines
and the rental of spaces etc.) We ask for your help. Please give as you are
able.
Please make Checks and Money Orders payable to SOA Watch and mail them to
SOA Watch
PO Box 4566
Washington, DC, 20017
You can also donate online through PayPal by clicking on the following link:
https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=info%40soaw.org&no_note=1&tax=0&curre
ncy_code=USD
SOA Watch does not have 501(c)3 status. Financial Contributions are
therefore not tax-deductible.
We are also in need of a new digital fax machine. please call (202) 234
3440
Hope to see you at the gates of Fort Benning in Georgia in November!
________________________________________
SOA Watch ~ PO Box 4566 ~ Washington DC 20017 ~ (202)234-3440 ~ www.soaw.org
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