western hemisphere institute for security cooperation
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation
Formerly the United States Army School of the Americas (SOA)
![Page 2: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
November 20, 2008 found over 100 Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Associates, Colleagues and Students departing from all over the United States to converge at Ft. Benning, Georgia to participate in educational activities, attend seminars, and hear speakers relate the history of those trained at the United States Army Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, formerly the School of the Americas (SOA).
![Page 3: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Mid-Atlantic Community Participants at the SOA Vigil
![Page 4: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation
![Page 5: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Chaplain Kieser escorts us on the tour of the SOA
![Page 6: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Gathering and Introduction to the SOA
![Page 7: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
The Introduction Begins
![Page 8: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation
Vision
The premier defense institute preparing leaders
to solve hemispheric challengesand to foster regional cooperation
![Page 9: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Mission Provide professional education and
training to military, law enforcement, and civilian personnel of the Western Hemisphere within the context of the democratic principles of the Organization of the American States (OAS)
Foster mutual knowledge, transparency, confidence and cooperation among participant nations
![Page 10: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Promote democratic values, respect for human rights, and knowledge and understanding of US customs and traditions.
![Page 11: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
The Entrance to the SOA
![Page 12: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Our group asked many questions about recruitment, attendance at the school, countries who send trainees, courses offered, training manuals used, and ethics taught. Our host’s response was that torture was not taught but that interrogation techniques were.
The position of the United States Government is that only “honorable’ training is conducted here.
![Page 13: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Members of our group respectfully challenged several of the things we heard. We questioned the torture taught in the training manuals, the deaths of the Jesuits, their housekeeper and daughter, the four church women, Archbishop Romero, without even asking about the thousands of others killed. The fact that the assassins were trained at the SOA seemed to have no bearing on these situations according to our host.
![Page 14: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Jon Sobrino, SJ speaks to those attending the Pax Christi Gathering
![Page 15: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Jon Sobrino, SJ, a widely respected liberation theologian, was born in Spain but has lived for over 50 years in El Salvador where he works among the poor.
Jon was a member of the local Jesuit Community in El Salvador whose six members, along with their housekeeper and her daughter, were murdered in 1989 by soldiers trained at the U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA) in Ft. Benning.
![Page 16: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Pax Christi, USA honored Fr. Sobrino with the Pax Christi USA Book Award for his latest book, No Salvation Outside the Poor: Prophetic-Utopian Essays.
Kathleen Pritty, RSM (Northeast ) introduces Fr. Sobrino
![Page 17: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
` In conferring the award Pax Christi stated: “Rev. Sobrino is one of the greatest theologians of our time, articulating the central themes of Scripture---liberation, solidarity, compassion, and reconciliation--And prophetically challenging any status quo built on the oppression of the poor. It is a tremendous honor to have this true prophet with us this evening.”
![Page 18: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Sheila Tynan, RSM and Mariette Schmidt, RSM
![Page 19: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Dale Jarvis, RSM (Northeast), Jennifer Kyle, ,Regina Ward, RSM (Mid-Atlantic)
![Page 20: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Mid-Atlantic Participants: Diane Guerin, RSM, Catherine Darcy, RSM, Claire Maier,
Associate
![Page 21: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Mary Bilderback, RSM, Marie Cook, RSM (Mid-Atlantic) and Chole (Northeast)
![Page 22: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Early on Sunday morning, November 23, 2008, thousands (an estimated 20,000) began gathering at the gates of Ft. Benning in preparation for the march. Incense was burned by a Native American and prayers were offered in remembrance of the thousands, and thousands murdered by death squads in Central and South America.
![Page 23: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
![Page 24: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
![Page 25: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
![Page 26: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
![Page 27: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
![Page 28: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
![Page 29: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
![Page 30: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
![Page 31: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
![Page 32: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
![Page 33: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
As the names of each one murdered was chanted, those in attendance raised their white crosses and proclaimed, “PRESENTE!”
So many were killed that often the name of a victim was unknown. Those chanting remembered them:“6month old baby boy, Columbia or 5 year old girl the daughter of Pedro Ruiz, El Salvador.”
“Presente!”
![Page 34: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
![Page 35: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
![Page 36: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
![Page 37: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
![Page 38: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
![Page 39: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
![Page 40: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
![Page 41: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
![Page 42: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
![Page 43: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
![Page 44: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
![Page 45: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
![Page 46: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
![Page 47: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
![Page 48: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
![Page 49: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
![Page 50: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
![Page 51: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)
![Page 52: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/52.jpg)
![Page 53: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/53.jpg)
![Page 54: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/54.jpg)
![Page 55: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/55.jpg)
![Page 56: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/56.jpg)
![Page 57: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/57.jpg)
After two hours of continuous chanting of names, crosses were placed in the fencing surrounding Ft. Benning. The crosses bore the names of those whose deaths were recorded; thousands more were never found.
![Page 58: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/58.jpg)
![Page 59: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/59.jpg)
![Page 60: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/60.jpg)
![Page 61: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/61.jpg)
![Page 62: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/62.jpg)
`As we placed our crosses in the fence, the loud speaker at Ft. Benning echoed in the distance. The tape endlessly repeating,
“This is a United States Military facility. If you cross the line and enter this facility, you will be arrested, charged with a felony, and subject to imprisonment.”
![Page 63: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/63.jpg)
A short time into our solemn “funeral procession’, we received word that 6 people had “crossed” in an act of nonviolent resistance.
![Page 64: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/64.jpg)
![Page 65: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/65.jpg)
![Page 66: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/66.jpg)
![Page 67: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/67.jpg)
At the end of the solemn funeral procession as we departed from the gates of Ft. Benning, we were met along the road by puppeteers, mimes, and actors. Bodies were scattered across the road depicting the thousands of innocents murdered by the death squads.
![Page 68: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/68.jpg)
A profound sadness settled over us all.
Yet, in a sense, we were comforted by the words of Archbishop Oscar Romero, “I must tell you, as a Christian, I do not believe in death without resurrection. If I am killed, I shall arise in the Salvadoran people.’ --
![Page 69: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/69.jpg)
![Page 70: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/70.jpg)
![Page 71: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/71.jpg)
![Page 72: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/72.jpg)
![Page 73: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/73.jpg)
![Page 74: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/74.jpg)
![Page 75: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/75.jpg)
![Page 76: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/76.jpg)
![Page 77: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/77.jpg)
As we prepared to return home our thoughtsturned to next year at this time
May we not need to be here again. May this School be closed down through prayer and legislative action.
May the Martyrs of Central and South America---those named and those unnamed always be remembered for their courage and their faith.
![Page 78: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/78.jpg)
![Page 79: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/79.jpg)
![Page 80: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/80.jpg)
![Page 81: Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation](https://reader038.vdocument.in/reader038/viewer/2022110309/5588e2dad8b42a656b8b460a/html5/thumbnails/81.jpg)
PRESENTE!