all out for the 2012 november vigil take a stand at the...

From November 16-18, 2012, thousands of human rights activists, torture survivors, anti-war veterans, students, families, union workers, artists, and others will converge at Fort Benning, Georgia, to call for an end to U.S. militarization and the closure of the SOA!

Fort Benning to Become Drone Base

Make your travel plans now to join the November Vigil!

Visit SOAW.org for a list of hotels, fliers, the schedule and more information.

Predator drones from the war in Afghanistanare being transferred to the control of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) for use in its operations in Latin America. As Fort Benning is scheduled to become a drone base, organizing against drones is picking up around the country. Global outrage is also growing over Obama’s escalating use of drones for extrajudicial killings.Read all about it at www.SOAW.org/drones

All Out for the 2012 November Vigil

Take a Stand at the Gates of Fort Benning

Ecuador no seguirá participando en la SOA

Este miércoles 27 de junio el Presidente de Ecuador, Rafael Correa, ha tomado la decisión, a pedido de una delegación de SOA Watch, de no seguir enviando soldados ecuatorianos a la SOA.

However you feel about the upcoming elections, one thing is certain: changing the bipartisan U.S. foreign policy towards Latin America and pushing back militarization depend on pressure from the grassroots after the voting is

over. We need to mobilize and build

mass movements that get people in the streets.

Anyone familiar with the words of

Frederick Douglass knows that “power

concedes nothing without a demand.”

SOA Watch has a proud history as a

direct action movement and is deeply rooted in the struggle for justice, nonviolence, and resistance to empire.

The 2012 November Vigil is taking place 10 days after the elections and is our chance to set the agenda for justice. If you have stood vigil at the gates of Fort Benning before, now is the time to mobilize others in your community to join you. If you have never come to the November Vigil before; this is the year! Make history and be part of the largest annual anti-militarization convergence in North America. Come take a stand for justice, peace, dignity and self-determination. The convergence includes a massive rally with amazing

Continued on Page 6Fr. Roy Bourgeois and President Correa in the Presidential Palace in Quito, Ecuador, following the SOA withdrawal announcement in June 2012.

Viva Ecuador

Drone Wars

Page/Página 2 Fall / Otoño 2012

Table of ContentsVol. 17, No.2, Fall 2012 Take a Stand at the Gates of Fort Benning, Georgia ……………… Page 1Fort Benning to Become a Drone Base - Drone Wars …………………Ecuador no seguira participando en la SOA …………………………………Elections: Are They Really about Change? …………………………………Grassroots Mobilizing Toolkit - Welcome New Folks ……………………Paraguay: Parliamentary Coup ……………………………………………………United States: SOA Watch Activists on Trial ………………………………Honduras: Aggressive U.S. War on Drugs Claims Lives …………… Father Roy Bourgeois’ Speaking Tour ……………………………………… SOAW rechaza golpe de estado en Paraguay ………………………… Los dichos del Premio Nobel de la Paz ………………………………………Solidaridad con Honduras en Chile ……………………………………………… Theresa is Free! Prisons and the SOA …………………………………………Ecuador Ceases its Participation in the SOA……………………………… November Vigil Information …………………………………………………………November Vigil poster …………………………………………………………………Exigir el cierre de la Escuela de las Américas ……………………………En la Lucha - Youth Resisting Militarization …………………………… Page 11-13Voces del Sur / Voices from the South …………………………………………Chile Rising ……………………………………………………………………………………Fair Food Nation ……………………………………………………………………………Struggle against Student Debt ………………………………………………………Reportback from DC Days of Action ……………………………………SOA Watch Council and Staff Information ………………………………… War on Terror - War on Drugs Cartoon by Andy Singer ………………SOA Watch Resources …………………………………………………………………Get Candidates Talking: Bird-Dogging …………………………………………

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Grassroots Mobilizing Toolkit

Welcome New Folks

Getting good at involving people requires some deliberate attention and probably the establishment of some basic procedures to make new folks welcome.

For starters, when someone says they’re interested in finding out more or getting involved in your group, don’t just invite them to your next meeting and leave it at that. Even the most welcoming and inclusive groups tend to develop their own meet-

ing culture that can unintentionally make new folks feel like outsiders. To increase your new member reten-tion rates, schedule one-on-one intake interviews with new folks before they come to a group meeting. Get to know the person. Find out what attracted them to the group, what kinds of tasks they enjoy or are good at, and how

Bringing in new participants is essential to local SOA Watch groups - or any activist group that wants to grow in size and capacity. Recruiting is only the first step. In-tegrating people into an established group can be a much bigger challenge, and it helps to be intentional about it.

Elections: are they really about change? As the elections approach, attention (and money) are always diverted to various candidates and political parties... but we know where real social change comes from. Donate now or become a pledge supporter of SOA Watch today! Support the grassroots movement you can trust to keep organizing and fighting, no matter who gets elected.

r YES, I will support SOA Watch

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Address: __________________________________________

City: _____________________ State:____ ZIP:__________

Phone: (____) _____________ Email: _________________

u Check or Cash Contribution

I have enclosed a check or cleverly concealed cash in the amount of

r $25 r $45 r $75 r $100 r $250 r $500 r $____

u One-time Credit Card Contribution

r Master Card r Visa r Discover r American Express in the amount of $_______

Credit Card # 0000000000000000 Exp: ___ /___ 3-digit security code on the back: 000

u Recurring Donation

For the price of one cup of pretentious coffee each week, you can improve human rights and build grassroots power. Sign up to make a monthly recurring donation:

r $5 r $15 or r $25 r $_______

r Master Card r Visa r Discover r American Express

Credit Card # 0000000000000000 Exp: ___ /___ 3-digit security code on the back: 000

You can terminate your recurring donation at any time by contacting SOA Watch at 202-234-3440 or [email protected].

To make a tax-deductible donation of $100 or more, please make your check out to the “SOA Watch Educational Fund.”

Please clip and return this for toSOA Watch - PO Box 4566 - Washington, DC 20017

Continued on Page 15

www.SOAW.org/presente Page/Página 3

ParaguayParliamentary Coup Paraguay’s president Fernando Lugo was ousted in June 2012. The opposition-controlled Congress used a bloody confrontation be-tween landless peasants and police forces sent to violently displace them, as a pretext for a farcical po-litical trial, in which the President was accused of having failed to maintain social order.

Lugo, democratically elected in April 2008, and with over a year left in his tenure, was given less than 24 hours to prepare his defense, and only 2 hours in which to present it at trial.

Lugo, an ex-bishop inspired by liberation theology, ran in 2008 on a campaign of agrarian reform, wealth redistribution through tax increases on agro-industry, and anti-corruption in South America’s second poorest and most unequal country. His victory, with over 40 per cent of the popular vote, put an end to the 61-year, one-party rule of the conservative Colorado Party (most famously associated with the anti-communist dictatorship of General Alfredo Stroessner).

For more information on the situation in Paraguay, visit SOAW.org/Paraguay

HondurasDEA Raids Leave 2 Pregnant Women, 4 Men Dead In April, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Honduran authorities launched Operation Anvil, a drug interdiction initia-tive modeled on counterinsur-gency tactics developed by the U. S. in Afghanistan.

Human rights advocates de-nounced the program when, on the night of May 11, U.S. helicop-ters manned by DEA agents and Honduran police opened fire on a passenger boat traveling near the village of Ahuas in the Mosquitia region, killing four ci-vilians, including two pregnant women, and wounding others. Public statements made by U.S. and Honduran officials implied that residents of the Mosquitia may have been complicit in drug trafficking. However, survivor Hilda Lezama, who was shot in the leg, told the BBC, “They could have let us dock and then searched the boat, but instead they shot us. Maybe they were thinking we were someone else. If we were criminals we could not

complain, but we are innocent working people.”

Two alleged drug traffick-ers were killed in subsequent Operation Anvil raids. U.S. and

Honduran officials claim that their strategy is working, noting that they have interdicted five planes, seized 2,300 kilos of co-caine, and made seven arrests.

“No to the Parlamentary Coup” Protest in Asuncion, Paraguay July 2012 in Ecuador: President Correa, Father Roy, and Maia Rodriguez

Father Roy Bourgeois’ Speaking Tour Taking On the School of the Americas Father Roy is the founder of School of the Americas Watch (SOA Watch). SOA Watch works to shut down the School of the Americas (renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation), based at Ft. Benning, GA, which has trained over 65,000 Latin American soldiers. These graduates have consistently used their training to wage wars against their own people.

Sept. 17-18 Washington, D.C.On Trial with the “SOAW 5”

Sept. 25-27 Wichita, KSContact: 816-519-2557

Oct. 6 Ware, MAContact: 413-967-9369

Oct. 10-12 Marquette, MIContact: 906-475-7582

Oct. 17 Cleveland, OHContact: 216-526-3250

Oct. 22-23 Valdosta, GAContact: 229-269-0116

Nov. 1-2 Claremont, CAContact: 440-915-4611

Nov. 27 Rochester, NYContact: 585-325-1180

For more info and other speaking tours, visit SOAW.org/speakers

United StatesSOA Watch Activists on Trial September 17, 2012, has been set as the trial date for 5 of the 13 SOA Watch activists who were arrested as they demonstrated their opposition to the SOA and U.S. militarization in the streets of Washington, DC in April 2012. The spirited parade was the culmination of a week of trainings, workshops, music, and lobby-ing. The activists, hailing from all across the country- were arrested by police when they insisted on their right to march together with hundreds of human rights advocates in front of the office buildings of the House of Repre-sentatives on Capitol Hill. Police on foot, horse, bicycle, motorcycle and in vehicles prohibited their free passage, limiting SOA Watch activists abilities to be heard and seen by congressional staff. They arrested 13 human rights activists, and charged them with “blocking passage.”

For updates from the trial against Amber Mason, Becca Polk, Kevin Mason, Maia Rodriguez, and Father Roy Bourgeois, visit: www.SOAW.org/SOAW5


SOAW rechaza golpe de estado en ParaguayLos dichos del Premio Nobel de la Paz El viernes 22 de junio, por la

vía de un “juicio político,” el Congreso del Paraguay, con mayoría opositora, destituyó al presidente constitucional Fernando Lugo Méndez. SOAW rechazó inmediata-mente este golpe de estado y se solidarizó con todo el pueblo

del Paraguay y sus organizacio-nes, haciendo un llamado a UNASUR y la OEA a intervenir en defensa de la democracia. Este es el segundo golpe de estado que se realiza en América Latina bajo la administración del Presidente Barack Obama, sin que nada suficiente haya

hecho EEUU para impedirlo. El 2009 fue Honduras, y ahora Paraguay. “Aquí no han destituido a Lugo, han destituido la democracia. No han respetado la voluntad popular”, dijo el Presidente Fernando Lugo a los pocos días de este golpe de estado.

En junio, estuvo en Chile el Premio Nobel de la Paz, Adolfo Pérez Esquivel. Un hombre lleno de sabiduría, que no olvidó a los olvidados, que tuvo presentes al pueblo de Haití, de Hondu-ras, de Colombia, por nombrar algunos. En el local de la Agrupación de Familiares de Ejecutados Políticos estuvimos con él conversando, acompañándolo en Conferencia de Prensa.Pérez Esquivel, rechazó de inme-diato el acto de homenaje que la Corporación 11 de Septiembre le realizó al dictador Augusto Pinochet en el teatro Caupolicán en junio pasado. “Es aberrante, porque es jus-tificar el terrorismo de estado, las violaciones a los derechos humanos, la tortura, la desapar-ición de personas y la violación del estado de derecho”, dijo,

agregando que homenajear a Pinochet es rendir homenaje a todos los torturadores y crimi-nales de nuestros pueblos. “Lamentablemente ellos reci-bieron el apoyo, la formación en la Escuela de las Américas en Panamá, en las academias militares de Estados Unidos. Aquí no hubo casualidades, hubo proyectos perfectamente estructurados para someter a los pueblos y ese proyecto, cuidado, no terminó. Tiene otros rostros, tiene otras técnicas, tiene otras metodologías, pero tratan de reivindicar lo injustificable bajo cualquier punto de vista”.Chile, después de Colombia, es el país que más soldados envía a la Escuela de las Américas. Dice Pérez Esquivel, “Lo que me enteré aquí y que me duele que cuando preguntan en Chile, a las autoridades, sobre los envíos a la Escuela de las Américas les dicen que “sí, mandamos soldados a la

Escuela de las

Américas, esto lo deciden los militares y no la sociedad”. Entonces el pueblo es ajeno a esto. El pueblo es espectador, no es protagonista. ¿Cómo esto lo pueden decidir los militares sin el pueblo? Entonces ¿para qué están? Los militares y los gobiernos deben ser servidores de los pueblos y no los pueblos ser servidores de los gober-nantes. Tenemos que cambiar el pensamiento. El gran desafío es comenzar a construir un nuevo contrato social, las estructuras que están son estructuras de dominación, son estructuras de sometimiento, no son estruc-turas de liberación y creo que por mas vuelta que le demos

son los pueblos los que tienen que

ponerse de pie y reclamar sus derechos.”

Solidaridad con Honduras en ChileEn junio, participó en el “Seminario de Derechos Humanos: A 21 años del Informe Rettig”, realizado en la ciudad de Santiago de Chile, la dirigenta Ber-tha Oliva quien es coordinadora del Comité de Fa-miliares de Detenidos y Desaparecidos de Honduras.

Con esta invitación, la Agrupación de Familiares de Ejecutados Políticos se solidarizó con Honduras y al mismo tiempo llevó a la práctica los acuerdos de mutua cooperación que se tomaron en el Encuentro entre los Pueblos realizado en Venezuela, en el 2010.

Consultada por el aumento de la militarización en Honduras, Bertha Oliva señaló que “las bases militares de Estados Unidos y la presencia de la DEA en Honduras son parte de acciones para dominar y controlar la región y someter a la misma Honduras. Siempre hemos dicho, siempre hemos alzado nuestra voz, y lo seguiremos haciendo, que la Escuela de las Américas no es mas que una escuela de inescru-pulosos asesinos, carniceros, que salen para matar y atropellar a los pueblos y debemos repudiarla y debemos decir quiénes son los que están yendo aquí y comenzar a colocar sus nombres por todas partes y que sepan que lo que es-tán aprendiendo en la Escuela de las Américas son para mejor las técnicas para matar y asesinar. La militarización es parte de esos acuerdos entre Honduras y la Escuela de las Américas y los EEUU sino no habrían nuevas bases militares en Honduras y que ahorita están mas impunes que antes”.

Theresa is Free

Prisons and the SOA: A Web of OppressionIn July 2012, Theresa Cusimano completed

six months for her nonviolent action at Fort

Benning, Georgia in November 2011.


Reportback from SOA Watch’s Grassroots Diplomacy Mission Ecuador Ceases its Participation in the School of the Americas

On June 27, Ecuadoran President Rafaeal Correa decided to cease sending Ecuadoran soldiers to the School of the Americas. Ecuador joins Vene-zuela, Uruguay, Argentina and Bolivia, who have pulled out of the SOA. Human Rights activists are calling on all Latin America countries to stop sending their troops to the SOA.

nalists, musicians and a priest, coming from various points of the Americas; the only things in our life’s CV’s that prepared us for such a mission was the simple conviction that the SOA is a place that shouldn’t exist, and the belief that we all share the responsibility in trying to close its doors.

Our timing was poignant. Within a few days of our arrival in Ecuador, news came that an-other South American country had been shattered by a crisis, an “express coup”. Paraguay’s President Fernando Lugo was called to immediately resign or face impeachment over a recent land dispute that had ended in violence and death. Power was passed to the Vice President who was conveniently aligned with the entrenched opposition in Congress.

It wasn’t long before yet another crisis began to emerge nearby in Bolivia. A strike of police officers demanding a tripling of wages quickly spiraled into the take-over of police stations through-out the country. As a response to both crises, the new figure of UNASUR (the Union of South American Nations) convened its

presidents to meet immediately in Argentina, to find a solution. The fact that it was not the US calling the shots is indicative of the political moment in South America to which we have ar-rived.

We found it unusual that Ecua-dor was continuing to send be-tween 35 and 100 soldiers to the SOA each year since Correa took power. Four years earlier he had committed to looking into the issue after taking on the task of closing the US military base in Manta (he announced that the US could stay at the base if they would give Ecuador a base in Florida. The US quickly ex-ited). In the ensuing four years, however, we had heard nothing from Ecuador. So we had come to bring a reminder.

In Ecuador, the clear and un-adulterated voice of justice is found in the calm and eloquent voice of Sister Elsie Monje, a Maryknoll missioner with 30 years working in her native Ec-uador as the director of the Ecu-menical Commission for Human Rights. The names of those who have lost their lives at the hands of SOA graduates are etched in her heart. Elsie also served as the President of the Truth Commis-sion that investigated the ugly years of repression in Ecuador, then was named to lead the Truth Commission in Hondu-ras. The fact that she was also named as Woman of the Year in Ecuador helped to bring atten-tion to her words.

By Lisa Sullivan, SOA Watch Latin America Liaison In June 2012, nine SOA Watch activists converged in Quito, Ecuador. We were a group of farmers, teachers, students, jour-

Judge Stephen Hyles

imposed the maximum

sentence on Theresa in

January, despite her com-

pletely peaceful actions.

This was Theresa’s sec-

ond time in prison, having

served a two month sen-

tence in 2009 for taking our

message of dignity and

Continued on Page 6

Continued on Page 14

SOA Watch Prisoner of Conscience Theresa is Free! Continued from Page 5

ers have long condemned the harsh treatment there.

Prisons and jails, rather than healing society’s wounds, only continue a cycle of violence that exists alongside poverty, racism, and colonial op-pression.

The U.S. spends an aver-age of $10,048 per student per year. Compare that to the $31,900 spent per pris-oner each year. We also have the largest prison population in the world, with 2.29 million behind bars. Contracts to private prison companies like Corrections Corporation of America and the GEO Group are booming.

As our struggle to close the SOA enters its 22nd year, the experiences of our Prisoners of Con-science remind us that our struggle is not an isolated one. The prison system is part of a complex web of oppression designed to continue the marginal-ization of primarily poor people and people of color. The SOA is part of this web, and is used to re-press popular movements in Latin America. Only by seeing the convergences of our struggles will be able to build our movements and bring true justice to the Americas. per

and inspiring speakers and musicians; concerts; work-shops; a funeral procession to commemorate the victims; nonviolent direct action; a vigil at the Stewart Detention Center, a for-profit im-migrant prison in Lumpkin, Geor-gia; a veteran-led march; puppet making; film screenings; train-ings and more.

We are creating a strong community and a powerful force that will close the SOA, end U.S. milita-rization in the Americas and dismantle the broader system of oppression of which the SOA is a part. Our movement unites many sectors of society, including union workers, immigrants, people of faith, an-archists, pacifists, students, torture

survivors, and many others. We recognize the existence of the SOA as an example of the pervasive culture of militariza-tion. We stand together with

many justice movements in our joint struggle for social change. We stand with the prison aboli-tionists, as so many of our own prisoners of conscience have come to understand the criminal injustice sys-tem through harsh prison

sentences. We stand with immigrants fighting depor-tation, many of whom have fled repression in their own countries. For 520 years, the indigenous peoples of the Americas have resisted the

many manifestations of economic and military

violence perpetrated against their communities. The SOA, repressive police forces, coups and economic slavery are the continuations of those policies – in Latin America and right here at home. This year, as we demand money for human needs instead of military repression, we converge at Fort Benning in the largest demonstration following the November elections. We know that only continuous and consistent grassroots organizing - not politicians - will bring about the change we need in the world.

For more information, call 202-234-3440 or visit www.SOAW.org

For 520 years, the indigenous peoples

of the Americas have resisted [...] violence perpetrated against their communities.

The SOA, repressive police forces, coups

and economic slavery are the continuations of those policies – in Latin America and right here at home.

All out for the 2012 November VigilTake a Stand at the Gates of Fort BenningContinued from Page 1

justice over the barbed wire surrounding the School of the Americas. With her sentence, SOA Watch activists have collectively served over 101 years in federal prison for their solidar-ity actions. The longest-running protest of its kind, the SOA Watch nonviolent direct action campaign started in 1990.

During her imprisonment, Theresa was subject to various deprivations and torture, including wit-nessing the suicide of her cellmate and 44 days in solitary confinement upon her transfer from the Irwin County Jail in Opelika, Alabama, to the Carswell Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Theresa wrote: “My body gave out under the stress of being moved to four differ-ent facilities in two weeks’ time. My kidneys shut down without water or nutrition. My legs could no longer stand. The darkness of my 44 day seclusion, a “gift” to me from the feds on my 44th birthday, broke me.”

Theresa’s experience is un-usual for most SOA Watch prisoners of conscience. However, for most of the general inmate population, this treatment is common, if not routine. In fact, FMC Carswell was the target of a successful 2010 negligent death lawsuit, and prison-


Schedule of Events Monday - Saturday, November 12-17• Puppet Building, Warehouse - The Puppet/Street Theater working group is a dynamic group that comes together to create puppets and a street theater piece for the November vigil. Many volunteers are needed to build and pull off the massive puppetista pageant. All experience levels are welcome. Come for a day or for a few hours. To get involved, call Jake at 203-843-7444 or email [email protected]

Thursday, November 15• A special concert with members of the SOA Watch Musicians’ Collective @ Steve’s Live Music (234 Hilderbrand Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30328) Join us in Atlanta on your way to Columbus!

Friday, November 16• Workshops, Discussions, Film Screenings and Trainings.• Rally in Lumpkin, Georgia at Stewart Detention Center, the largest privately owned immigrant de-tention center in the US. The SOA and inhumane immigration policies are part of the same racist system of violence and domination.• Evening concert with amazing musicians at the Columbus Convention Center.

Saturday, November 17• SOA Watch plenary at the Columbus Convention Center in the morning

• 11:30am - 4pm - Massive rally with musicians, the puppetista pageant and in-spiring speakers from across the Americas. Volunteers are needed. To sign up, contact Nico at 202-234-3440 or [email protected]. Contact Kathleen at [email protected] or (312) 641-5151 to join the Peacemakers.• Teach-ins, film screenings, plenaries, an interfaith service, and a concert.

Sunday, November 18• 1.8 mile veterans-led march to the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia. The starting point for the veterans March is the Columbus Inn – Ft. Benning (3170 Victory Drive, Columbus) at 8am. Anti-war veterans have played a key role in the struggle to close the SOA from the beginning.

• Ceremony, vigil, solemn funeral procession, honoring the martyrs. Thousands will process to the gates. We remember those who suffered and were martyred. We pronounce their names and bring their spirits and witness before us as we respond: ¡Presente! You are here with us, you are not forgotten, and we continue the struggle.

• Nonviolent Direct Action has a long and proud history in the movement to close the SOA. If you are making a decision about whether to “cross the line” and process onto Fort Benning, an act which carries a potential prison sentence of up to six months, or if you are planning to take a different direct action in solidarity with those who have been tortured and incarcerated in Latin America, please contact the Direct Action Working Group at [email protected].

Support the Vigil with a DonationTo organize the Novem-ber Vigil we need to raise $50,000 by October 30 to pay for high-quality sound equip-ment, renting the Columbus Convention Center, printing materials, and more. The vigil depends on people like you to make it happen. Please make a generous contribution to SOA Watch to cover the upcoming expenses.

You can send a check, made out to “SOA Watch” to

SOA WatchPO Box 4566Washington, DC 20017

or donate online atwww.SOAW.org/donate

As a grassroots movement without the backing of big foundations, the activists who are doing the work are also financing the movement. Thank you!

The Translation and Interpreation Working Group will provide simultaneous Spanish language interpretation.

520 Years of Repression - 520 Years of Resistance

November 16-18, 2012: November Vigil Be part of a strong community of resistance. Close the SOA, end U.S. militarization,and dismantle the broader system of oppression of which the SOA is a part.

Travel InformationPlanning your trip to Colum-bus? Be sure to book your hotel room or campground soon! If you are looking to share a ride down or trying to fill up your bus, post your information on our Vigil Rideboard to connect with other traveling activists. Visit SOAW.org/travel

ConferenceThe Vigil is a great place to network and meet new anti-militarization and anti-racist organizers. From labor caucus-es, to film screenings, to teach-ins on building alternatives to war and oppression, the Conference during the Vigil should not be missed! If you would like to host a workshop, visit SOAW.org/workshops

Working GroupsBe a part of planning the vigil! Sign up and let us know how you can help! SOAW.org/signup

sign up to receive Updates from SOA Watch: www.SOAW.org /updates

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Las movilizaciones masivas siempre han sido un instrumento fuerte en los movimientos por la justicia social. Cuando nos reunamos en Fuerte Benning este noviembre, lo haremos siguiendo la tradición pacífica de las luchas históricas por la paz y la dignidad. Nos reuniremos en homenaje a la memoria de las víctimas y sobrevivientes de la Es-cuela de las Américas que han sacrificado sus vidas por un mundo mejor. Celebraremos la re-sistencia a la opresión, y exigiremos que los responsables por el terror y la violencia enfrenten a la justicia. Únete a miles de activistas, estudiantes, sindicalistas, artistas, abuelas, profesores, líderes comunitarios, inmigrantes, trabajadores, indigenas y religiosos este noviembre.

16 y 17 de noviembreTalleres y mesas de trabajo.

Sábado, 17 de noviembreMarcha masiva, con músicos y ora-dores de todas las Américas frente a los portones del Fuerte Benning, Georgia, seguido por una procesión de títeretistas.

Domingo, 18 de noviembreConmemoración de las victimas de la Escuela de las Américas frente a los portones de Fort Benning, Georgia.

Dónde hospedarseVisita la web de SOA Watch: www.SOAW.org para ver una lista completa de hoteles, y sitios donde acampar. Llama al 800-864-7275.

BecasMoviliza a tu comunidad para juntar fondos para los jóvenes, estudiantes y minorías que quieren participar en la protesta. Las becas sirven para mantener la diversidad y accesibilidad del movimiento.

Congreguémonos en solidaridad contra la represión.Levanta tu voz por el cierre de la Escuela de las Américas.Lucha para poner fin a las políticas opresivas que causan violencia en todo el hemisferio.Se parte de una revolución de valores.

Llegar a Columbus Hay grupos por todos los EEUU que es-tán coordinando buses y autos para viajar a Fort Benning. Visita el “Ride Board” en www.SOAW.org

En Auto: Fort Benning está ubicado en Columbus, a 100 millas al suroeste de Atlanta. Conduzca por el 1-185 South hasta la salida 1B, Victory Drive, Route 27 North — la última salida antes de la base militar. ¡Ten cuidado! En los años pasados, la policía militar ha detenido a activistas por entrar a la base por casuali-dad. La entrada principal de Fort Benning está a media-milla en Fort Benning Road. Está limitado el estacionamiento.

En Avión: Hay un aeropuerto en Columbus, 11 millas de Fort Benning. También, Groome Shuttle ofrece un servi-cio de transporte entre el aeropuerto de Atlanta y Columbus (90 minutos, $63). Su número es (800) 584-6735.

En Autobús: Hay una estación de Greyhound en el centro de Columbus, 5 millas de Fort Benning.

AccesibilidadHabrá traducción simultánea al español que podrá ser oída con auriculares, e interpretación de lenguaje de señas. Tam-bién habrá folletos en español y braille, y se dispone de un área cercana a la plata-forma para gente con discapacidades. Visite www.SOAW.org/accessiblidad.

Cómo apoyar a SOAWPara organizar la protesta en Noviembre, necesitamos juntar $50,000 para poder pagar por rentar el espacio en Columbus, imprimir materiales y más. Contamos con gente como Uds. para lograrlo; así que ¡por favor! contribuye a nosotros.

Algunas consideraciones sobre la seguridad de personas que están con-siderando participar en la vigilia

La Vigilia para cerrar la Escuela de las Americas promete ser una reunión extraordinaria de diversas comunidades que están luchando por la justicia social, incluyendo a los migrantes y a sus alia-dos. Por medio de ella, esperamos tener un impacto sobre la historia de nuestra nación. Pero, al igual que otros aconteci-mientos históricos, no es algo sin riesgo, especialmente para los migrantes y otros participantes que sean particularmente vulnerables.

Visita www.SOAW.org/seguridad para más información en español.

16-18 de Noviembre, 2012 - Todxs al Fuerte Benning, Georgia

Resistiendo el militarismo y promoviendo una cultura de paz

Voces del Sur / Voices from the South:

“Youth participation in the movement is extremely strategic. Youth today have to struggle to have a future, to concretize their dreams and to reach true happiness. Unfortunately, the model that our world is gearing us is towards a cliff, towards war, death, and frustration.Youth have the possibility of opening up their hearts and become conscientious before getting old, which is nothing more than the acceptance of society. We

get old when we abandon our dreams.”-Pablo Ruiz, Chile

“On June 28th of 2009, the armed forces staged a coup against José Man-uel Zelaya Rosas, and the whole Honduran population took to the streets. Under the flag of the popular resistance, the students fought the repressive forces. That’s when the student movement, which had been sleeping and disorganized, became united and organized with the Youth Front of Re-sistance: a space where students from different universities and colleges could take action together. In Honduras and all over the world, the rebel-

lion of students and youth gives life and strength to any popular struggle.” -Victor Alejandro, Honduras

“We youth bear the responsibility to transform our reality, in Latin America and the entire world. The current system is beating us down. That’s why it’s important that we stay firm in this fight. Even though

many government oppress us, youth keep up the struggle in the streets, in our homes, wherever we are, in order to have dignity and sovereignty. Even though most of the media doesn’t reflect this reality, we’re already

feeling it, and the world is opening its eyes, eyes fixed on the youth movements that are growing every day. The cause to struggle against militarism is fundamental, because of the injustices we have lived for years. The act of creating a youth collective that resists militarization

and promotes a culture of peace is significant for all social movements, because we should unite in order to resist together. The youth struggle

will not stop. It marches hand in hand with the people.”-Marlin Rodriguez, Venezuela

Photo by Pablo Ruiz

EN LA LUCHAyouth resisting militarization

We are a collective of young people from across the Americas working to close the SOA/WHINSEC, end U.S. military and economic domi-nation, and connect struggles across the hemispheres to strengthen the resistance and to build a culture of justice. We are campus and com-munity organizers who collaborate via technology and face-to-face

meetings to strengthen youth power within SOA Watch and society as a whole. We are young people dedicated to social justice who have a

vision for a better world. Send submissions to: [email protected]

Somos un colectivo de jóvenes de las Américas que estamos preocupad@s con el cierre de la SOA / WHINSEC, poniendo fin a la dominación militar y económico de EE.UU. haciendo conexiones de luchas para fortalecer la resistencia y construir sobre esta un mundo justo. Como organizadores de universidades y comunidades nos reunimos en diferentes ámbitos, traba-jando unidamente para fortalecer el poder de la juventud dentro de SOA Watch, en la sociedad y en las Américas en su conjunto. Como jóvenes dedicad@s a la justicia social tenemos una visión de un mundo mejor.

Visite soaw.org/youth para aprender más, y mandar contenido a [email protected]


Presente is the newspaper of the movement to close the School of the Americas. It is published two times a year and sent to subscribers. Several thousand additional copies are distributed by local activists and organizers. Visit www.SOAW.org/presente to read and comment on articles online.

SOA Watch Council:Ken Crowley, Juan Diego Castro, Nicole Sault, Palmer Legare, Deirdre MacDermott, Linda Panetta, Ken Hayes, Greg Speltz, Theresa Camera-nesi, Sister Ceil Roeger, OP Pe-dro-Jesus Romero-Menendez, Joey King, Demissie Abebe and Harold Nelson, Ray Del Papa, Roxanna Benduzu

SOA Watch Staff:Father Roy Bourgeois, Becca Polk, Pablo Ruiz Espinosa, Jenna McElroy, Marlin Sulbarán-Rodríguez, Lisa Sullivan, Nico Udu-gama and Hendrik Voss

Contact: SOA Watch, PO Box 4566Washington, DC 20017Phone: 202-234-3440Email: [email protected]: www.SOAW.org,www.SOAW.org/presenteand www.SOAWLatina.orgSubscriptionswww.SOAW.org/subscribe

Distributor Networkwww.SOAW.org/distribute

Back Issueswww.SOAW.org/archive

Advertise in Presentewww.SOAW.org/advertise

Thus, when Elsie called a press confer-ence, the media showed up. Lots of them. Soon, the purpose of our mission was all over the Ecuadorian television screens, newspapers and radio and things began to move! A meeting was held with the Defense Minister, Miguel Carvajal. A so-ciologist and intellectual who is respon-sible for significant land redistribution as former Sub Secretary of Agriculture, and who had cut an unusual figure for being the head of the armed forces. He promised to try to get us a meeting with the President.

Ushered in two days later to the Presi-dent’s office, it was clear that he was a man of his words. Media lined the inside and outside of the presidential offices and we were invited to sit down among an array of the top ministers in the cabinet, including the Defense and Interior min-isters, the Secretary of State, the Security Minister and the President’s aide.

As President Correa entered the room, he barely sat down before saying: “If you’ve come to ask me what I think you have, it’s already done.” He went on to say that this decision to withdraw Ecuadorian troops from the SOA he thought he had already made but, given the many tasks in front of a presidency, he hadn’t followed up. Turning to his ministers, he said: “This is immediate. Prepare my statement, I will sign it right away.” How, he asked, could a coun-try such as ours, with a commitment

Reportback from the SOA Watch’s Grassroots Diplomacy Mission Ecuador Ceases its Participation in the SOAContinued from Page 5

to justice, to humanity, to sovereignty, send troops to a school that had killed the Jesuits in El Salvador and Elba and Celina. Hearing him recite from heart the names of the Jesuits’ housekeeper and her daughter, I knew that this man held this issue at his heart.

Dashing to make our flights to return home, one of our delegation members said we don’t need a plane because, indeed, we were floating with joy at the news. But as I turned from the Presidential Palace to head to the van and the airport to fly home, and the calendar turned to June 28, I realized how fragile victory is here in the Americas. Today marks the third anniversary of the Honduran coup, led by SOA graduates, and the repression against those who opposite it continue.

So, today, we are, perhaps, one step closer to closing the SOA with Ecua-dor’s decision. But while the citizens of Honduras face danger and threats for simply defending their democracy and the people of Paraguay see their elected president out of office, I realize our task is still huge.

The call to be citizen diplomats can be embraced by all of us. Some may decide read this article then pick up their

phone and call their member of Congress to ask to sign on to the bill calling for a defunding of the SOA. Others may ask to show the SOA Watch documentary “Somos una America” to a local class-room. Some will decide to schedule their trip to the vigil in November now, and

others may offer to help a young person get there. Others will simply send this email to a friend, or comment to their brother or daughter about the struggle to close the SOA, or donate a small amount to keep this struggle going.

Our thanks go out to many for making this victory possible. To all those who joined us on this delegation, to Elsie Monje whose life is a portrait in dignity, to Yury Guerra who was at our side at all moments and made sure we saw the wonders of his land. To our SOA Watch team in Washington and Santiago, Chile, who did all the hard work in making

this happen. To those who donated to bring the young and eloquent voices of Maia and Jimena to this trip. To

so many of you whose efforts and donations make it possible to

bring this moment of hope to Nuestra America. Photo of the SOA Watch Delegation with President Correa in Ecuador (from left to right): Sister Elsie, Lisa Sullivan, Jimena Paz, Presi-dent Correa, Father Roy, Maia

Rodriguez, and Yury Guerra


much time they have. Then tell them more about the group and discuss what their involvement could look like. While this level of orientation requires more time up front, it saves time in the long run: people tend to plug into the work faster and stick around longer. It may make sense for one or two members of your group to take on this responsibility as an ongoing role.

Second, if you want to inspire people to stay involved, you need to make them feel valued and appreciated. People like to be around people who treat them well. Most of us have no shortage of things we can do with a fi-nite amount of free time. If you expect people to prioritize your group over aikido, contra dancing or advanced ori-gami, you gotta treat ‘em right. Notice

Continued from Page 2and acknowledge new folks’ contribu-tions, however small. Make time to check in with them outside of meet-ings. Ask their opinions often: what did they think about the meeting? The event? The action? Bounce your ideas off of them and ask for their feedback.

This is one of several pieces by Jonathan Matthew Smucker (former SOA Watch Media Coordinator) published in the new book Beautiful Trouble: A Toolbox for Revolution. Assembled by Andrew Boyd, the book includes short concept pieces about grassroots action, activism and organizing, contributed by more than 70 authors.

For more organizing tips, call 202-234-3440 or visit www.SOAW.org/organize

Beyond the ChoirWelcome New Folks

A tactic that gets candidates talking: Bird-dogging It has nothing to do with animals and everything to do with grassroots power in action! To bird-dog is to “observe, follow, monitor and/or seek out with persistent attention.” It’s a great tactic that SOA Watch activists have used to get politicians to talk publicly about the School of the Americas.

Basically, you show up at the candidates’ events, ask them to commit to defund the SOA, and ask them questions in order to get them on the record and to educate those present about the SOA and U.S. militarization in the Americas.

For tips and tricks and the actual logistics of attending a political event and bird-dogging a politician, visit SOAW.org/birddog For more legislative action tips, visit

SOAW.org/legislative

SOA Watch ResourcesEducate and Mobilize your Community The movement to close the SOA is made up of hundreds of local groups around the hemisphere, doing work in their communities to end U.S. militarization.

SOA Watch offering a number of books and DVDs about the campaign that you can use in your organizing work. To order materials, visit SOAW.org/store

Stay InformedSign Up for SOA Watch Email Updates Stay up to date about the campaign by signing up for Email Announcements from SOA Watch. Don’t miss out on important news from Latin America and receive Urgent Action Alerts about upcoming Congressional votes or threats to human rights defenders in Latin America.

To sign up for the Action Alert listserv, visit SOAW.org/alerts

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