Support the SOA 16, An SOA Grad Speaks Out, SOAW in Ecuador
School of the Americas Watch
SOA WATCH NEWS & UPDATES
= www.SOAW.org =
January 24, 2007
1. Support the SOA 16
2. Updates & News from Latin America:
- La Lucha Continua en Oaxaca
- An SOA Graduate Speaks Out
3.Upcoming SOA Watch Events & Campaigns
- Strategy Meeting
- Lobby Days
- 1000 Grandmothers Campaign
- Christian Peace Witness for Iraq
- No Bases Conference in Ecuador
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SUPPORT THE SOA 16
===================
On January 29, 2007 sixteen human rights activists will appear in federal
court in Columbus, Georgia to put the SOA/WHINSEC on trial. The 16 were
arrested on November 19, 2006, after carrying the protest to close the School
of the Americas (SOA/WHINSEC) onto the Fort Benning Military Reservation,
publicly defying the laws which prevent political speech on military bases and
making a bold call for justice and accountability.
We invite all human rights activists and SOA Watch supporters to join the SOA
16 in Columbus, Georgia on January 28-30, 2007 for the trials and Festival of
Hope.
On Sunday, January 28th we will honor our prisoners of conscience and those
who will be testifying against the SOA/WHINSEC with a Festival of Hope. The
festival begins at 7pm and will take place at the Howard Johnson Presidential
Ball Room (1011 Veterans Pkwy).
There are several options for housing in Columbus. Most of the pre-trial
events will take place at the Howard Johnson and often people choose to stay
there. Less expensive options are the Days Inn and Motel 6. You can ask for
the SOA Watch group rate at the HoJo's or the Days Inn.
Howard Johnson's
Ph: 706-322-6641
1011 Veterans Pkwy
Columbus, GA
Days Inn
Ph: 706-689-6181
3170 Victory Drive
Columbus, GA
Motel 6
Ph: 706-687-7214
3050 Victory Drive
Columbus, GA
--> READ MORE about the SOA 16 - http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=322
--> Read about the SOA 16 IN THE NEWS -
http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=322&cat=108
-- > Make a DONATION to Support SOA 16 and SOA Watch -
http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=546
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LATIN AMERICA UPDATES
=====================
LA LUCHA CONTINUA EN OAXACA
While Oaxaca has disappeared from the mainstream news, the struggle to oust
Governor Ulises Ruis Ortiz, to remove the Federal Preventative Police (PFP)
from the State of Oaxaca, and to obtain freedom for all "political prisoners
and prisoners of conscience" continues.
With the new year Oaxaca continues to be under a state of siege. The brutal
repression on behalf of the PFP and government sponsored paramilitaries has
not stopped and the violence directed towards social organizers and protestors
is widespread. This year has already seen the murder of a teacher; Enriqueta
Santiago Santiago was abducted and then slain by members of a death squad on
January 12. Resistance in the shape of street and prison demos has also
continued. A "mega march" has been called for February 3rd in Oaxaca City.
An article in Chiapas Indymedia reports that 10,000 people marched on Oaxaca
City on January 10, aiming at breaking the siege imposed by the Federal Police
occupation. The demonstration was led by the families of the political
prisoners. Those jailed include 16 women in the Tlacolula prison, and 19 men
in the
Miahuatlan jail.
--> VISIT - http://chiapas.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=141946 - to
read a short report in Spanish and view a video clip.
--> VISIT - http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=1438 - to read more about
the situation in Oaxaca
AN SOA GRADUATE SPEAKS OUT
In his article "Smoke and Mirrors: SOA Graduate Speaks Out" (The Signal -
January 14, 2007 ) freelance reporter Willy E. Gutman sits down with Honduran
Lt. Col. Roberto Nuqez, an SOA graduate who stands accused of organizing a
raid on the household of an alternate Honduran congressional deputy in 1987.
Lt. Nuqez statements' give some insight on the frame of mind under which many
SOA graduates justify their actions against the civilian population of Latin
America.
"It took six months of secret negotiations to locate an alumnus of the U.S.
Army School of the Americas willing to talk. It took nearly as long to
finalize the rules of engagement."
Continue reading "Smoke and Mirrors: SOA Graduate Speaks Out"-
http://www.soaw.org/new/newswire_detail.php?id=1308
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UPCOMING SOA WATCH EVENTS & CAMPAIGNS
=====================================
SOA WATCH STRATEGY MEETING
We invite all our partner organizers and supporters to register as soon as
possible for this year's Strategy Meeting, scheduled to take place from 9:00
AM to 7:00 PM on Sunday, February 18th. We ask you to share this information
with members of your group or organization and together select representatives
to attend this important meeting on February 18th. We will e-mail a detailed
schedule to all registered participants in early February after we have
tabulated your agenda suggestions.
--> READ MORE and register for the SOA Watch Strategy Meeting -
http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=1433
--> To receive more information contact SOA Watch's Program Associate Emily
Nelson at enelson(at)soaw(dot)org or call the SOA Watch office at 202-234-3440
(9am-5pm EST).
SOA WATCH LOBBY DAY
Lobby Training: 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm; February 19, 2007; Washington, DC
Office Visits: 9 am - 5 pm; February 20, 2007; Washington, DC
Join us for two days of lobby and action on Capitol Hill as we flood the halls
of Congress with supporters and call for the immediate closure of the
SOA/WHINSEC once and for all!
Come on Monday, February 19th, and attend our Lobby Training, facilitated by
SOA Watch Legislative Coordinator, Pam Bowman. Familiarize yourself with the
issue and develop strong talking points for your meeting with your
representative. Learn about effective follow up and more ways to ensure
accountability on the part of your Congressperson.
Come on Tuesday, February 20th, for our Lobby Day in Congress. Meet with the
office of your Congressional Representative and speak with them personally
about the SOA issue. Join other activists as they demonstrate outside
Congressional offices and educate the general public about the atrocities
committed as a result of training provided by the SOA/WHINSEC.
--> READ MORE about the SOA Watch Lobby Days -
http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=1433
1000 GRANDMOTHERS CAMPAIGN:
Booties for Peace and Closing the SOA/ WHINSEC
As the legislative campaign of SOA Watch gets ready to kick off with the new
Congress, the 1000 Grandmothers campaign in conjunction with the Chico Peace
and Justice Center is organizing a "Booties for Peace" project. They ask that
anyone and everyone sew, knit, or crochet baby booties representing the
children that continue to suffer from violence being taught at the notorious
SOA/ WHINSEC. After 535 booties are collected, one or more will be sent to
each Senator and Representative in Congress.
--> TO FIND MORE information, visit: http://www.1000grandmothers.net - and
learn how to plug into this creative expression in support of peace and
justice.
CHRISTIAN PEACE WITNESS FOR IRAQ
On Friday March 16 at 7 pm, thousands of Christians will share in an
ecumenical worship service at the Washington National Cathedral, followed by a
candlelight procession to the White House, and a late night peace vigil,
during which some participants may engage in peaceful civil disobedience. Let
us commit to the fullness of the Gospel vision of justice, peace, inclusive
community and wholeness.
WHEN - Friday March 16, 7 p.m.,
WHERE - Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C.
--> For more information, contact the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns at
ogc(at)maryknoll(dot)org, (202) 832-1780; or visit:
http://www.christianpeacewitness.org
NO BASES CONFERENCE IN ECUADOR
Join Cindy Sheehan, Medea Benjamin, SOA Watch and others in Ecuador this March
and attend the No U.S. Bases Conference in Manta and Quito!
School of the Americas Watch, Global Exchange, the Marin InterFaith Task
Force(MITF) and the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) will lead a delegation
to Ecuador that will offer participants a unique opportunity to learn more
about environmental and social issues in Ecuador before attending the the
International Conference to Abolish Foreign Military Bases, March 5-9 in Quito
and Manta, Ecuador.
The conference features a caravan march to Manta on March 8, International
Women's Day, and highlights the political, social, environmental and economic
impacts of foreign military bases and the grassroots movements that oppose
them. Participants will also work to formally construct a network of activists
opposed to foreign military bases.
Manta is the only U.S. military base in South America, and 400 U.S. troops are
stationed there. Newly-elected President Rafael Correa pledged to shut the
base down when its lease expires in 2009.
Prior to the "No-Bases" Conference participants will visit, the Intag
community, Otavalo, the Cayambe Valle flower plantations, radio station "La
Luna" and
more.
FIND OUT MORE about the No Bases Conference
-http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=1466
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