Makes the connection between sweatshops, the globalization of greed and SOA violence in Latin America. Includes footage from Latin America and the November vigil. 20 min. VHS.
Also available with Spanish subtitles or Portuguese subtitles.
Powerful documentation of the 1998 vigil of over 7,000 people outside the main gates of Fort Benning and the 2,319 who "Crossed the Line." 16 min. VHS.
Former SOA instructor Major Joseph Blair reveals inside information. As an Army veteran for 20 years, with 2 tours in Vietnam, he speaks as a credible voice for the closing of the SOA. 16 min. VHS.
A documentary about the School of the Americas; nominated for an Academy Award in 1995. Narrated by Susan Sarandon. Also available with Spanish narration. 18 min. VHS.
This documentary about the School of Americas illustrates the tumultuous reality of Latin America and reveals some of the most urgent and complex issues and problems facing us today. 71 min. VHS or DVD.
In this monumental work, American University anthropology professor Lesley Gill, granted an unprecedented level of access to the School of the Americas, presents a comprehensive portrait of the notorious institution. 296 pages
This memoir of a journey of conscience, that led to a prison cell for a grandfather in his sixties, tells one story of a growing number of prisoners of conscience in America. Rev. Kenneth Kennon reflects on why he ended up incarcerated, what he experience in federal prison camp, and contemplates where conscience can take us.
In this book, authors Linda Cooper and James Hodge chronicle Father Roy's story and the stories of the many activists that built the SOA Watch movement. 240 pages
Conscience & Consequence is the lucid, intensely moving, and highly personal account of Clare Hanrahan's six-month incarceration inside Alderson, the oldest and largest U.S. Federal prison for women.
School of the Americas Watch H.R.2567, the bill to Suspend Operations at the SOA been introduced in Congress. Call your Rep. Urge her/him to cosponsor: 1-800-473-6711 Posted at 8:11 PM May 28 view more
SOA Watch is a nonviolent grassroots movement that works to stand in solidarity with the people of Latin America, to close the School of the Americas (SOA/WHINSEC) and to change oppressive U.S. foreign policy that the SOA represents. We are grateful to our sisters and brothers throughout Latin America for their inspiration and the invitation to join them in their struggle for economic and social justice.
SOA Watch seeks to close the US Army School of the Americas, under whatever name it is called, through vigils and fasts, demonstrations and nonviolent protest, as well as media and legislative work.
On November 16, 1989, six Jesuit priests, their co-worker and her teenage daughter were massacred in El Salvador. A U.S. Congressional Task Force reported that those responsible were trained at the U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA) at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
In 1990 SOA Watch began in a tiny apartment outside the main gate of Ft. Benning. While starting with a small group, SOA Watch quickly drew upon the knowledge and experience of many in the U.S. who had worked with the people of Latin America in the 1970's and 80's.
Today, the SOA Watch movement is a large, diverse, grassroots movement rooted in solidarity with the people of Latin America. The goal of SOA Watch is to close the SOA and to change U.S. foreign policy in Latin America by educating the public, lobbying Congress and participating in creative, nonviolent resistance. The Pentagon has responded to the growing movement and Congress' near closure of the SOA with a PR campaign to give the SOA a new image. In an attempt to disassociate the school with its horrific past, the SOA was renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation in January of 2001.
SOA Watch is a nonviolent grassroots movement that works to stand in solidarity with the people of Latin America, to close the SOA/WHINSEC and to change oppressive U.S. foreign policy that the SOA represents. We are grateful to our sisters and brothers throughout Latin America for their inspiration and the invitation to join them in their struggle for economic and social justice.
Staff Collective
The staff collective works out of the SOA Watch national office, located in Washington, DC.
A group of Richmond High School students produced the documentary "Journey for Justice - Crossing the Line" about the School of the Americas and their trip to the November Vigil to close it down. The film includes footage from the annual protest at the gates of Fort Benning in Georgia, footage from Latin America, interviews with student activists as well as with Guadalupe Chavez and Linda Aguilar, who engaged in nonviolent direct action to close the SOA.
The School of the Americas (SOA), renamed to "Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation," is a U.S. military training school for Latin American soldiers that has left a trail of blood and suffering throughout Latin America.
The SOA has trained over 64,000 Latin American soldiers in courses such as counterinsurgency, psychological warfare, military intelligence and interrogation tactics. Graduates of the school have been consistently linked to human rights violations and to the suppression of popular movements in the Americas.
Among those targeted by SOA graduates are educators, union organizers, religious workers, student leaders, and others who work for the rights of the poor. The SOA is the Pentagon's way of controlling the armies of Latin America with the goal of controlling the people and their resources. The SOA provides the military muscle to keep the racist system of domination and exploitation in place - benefiting a few at the expense of many. Hundreds of thousands of Latin Americans have been tortured, raped, assassinated, “disappeared”, massacred, and forced into refuge by those trained at the School of Assassins.
For more information, visit SOA Watch on the web at www.SOAW.org
Watch the 3 minute trailer for "Journey to Awareness - Crossing the Line," the Richmond High School documentary about student activism and the SOA:
The DVD will be available in late October/early November. Pre-order now for only $10incl. shipping and handling ($8 for sutudent activists and educators) You can send a check or money order to:
SOA Watch P.O. Box 4566 Washington DC 20017
or order it online: [PayPal option coming soon]
Host a Screening:
Gather your members, friends, family and neighbors in your school, community center, religious institution or living room to view, discuss and take action. You can use your screening as a recruitment tool, a fundraiser, a catalyst for organizing an action, as an educational resource--or all of these at once!
Take Action:
Educate yourself and your community about the SOA (download fliers, order books and videos). Mobilize for the November 16-18, vigil and nonviolent direct action at the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia. Be part of the growing grassroots movement for justice and accountability.
Here's where we're at it legislatively: Earlier this year, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) introduced an amendment to the FY 2007 Foreign Operations bill that would have cut funding for the SOA/WHINSEC. The amendment was voted down by a margin of 203 - 214, with 19 members of the House not voting.
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Who I'd like to meet: People who are concerned with U.S. foreign policy towards Latin America, the training of death squads at the SOA and issues of injustice in general.
School of the Americas Watch's Friend Space (Top 22)
So many times people have said "oh, how horrible... I had no idea that was happening. "Well now you do. If you want to do something about it, one of the big charities working on this is Eve Ensler's VDAY.
Friends, comrades, the FMLN is currently recruiting people to join the delegations which will be election observers during the March 15 elections in El Salvador.
Help El Salvador have a free and transparent election!
See historic sites!
If you want to be a part of and witness the wave of revolutionary change sweeping Latin America that we have been hearing about for years then this is your chance!
Visit the official delegations page at www. myspace. com/ladelegations2009 for information and links including information on how to download an info and registration packet to be a part of history in the Americas!
The FMLN is leading in the polls with a strong chance to beat the right-wing, US-backed ARENA party! Be a part of the change!
For more info you can also call Carla Guerrero at 818.800.5081.
Or e-mail at delegaciones2009@gmail.com
The FMLN's candidate, Mauricio Funes, is a veteran journalist of much respect who wants to put his youth and talents to work for the people.
This will be a historic vote since the FMLN was forged out of the guerrilla struggle of the 1980s and are now poised to take power through the ballot!
http://www. soaw. org/ Make the School of the Americas History! Tuesday, February 17 is Close the SOA Call-In Day! TOLL FREE: 1-800-473-6711 Please take a few minutes of your day to participate in the Nationwide Call-in Day to support legislation to close the School of the Americas, renamed Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation! http://www. soaw. org/
LaGuardia Memorial House 307 E. 116th St. Btw. 1st and 2nd Ave Take 6 train to 116th St.
Join us for International Women’s Day!
THE OTHER CAMPAIGN NEW YORK Movement for Justice in El Barrio
Presents the NYC film premiere of:
FROM ACROSS THE BORDER: OUR RESISTANCE AGAINST GLOBAL DISPLACEMENT
We shared our struggle across borders when we held our international film premiere in Chiapas at:
THE ZAPATISTA'S WORLD WIDE FESTIVAL OF DIGNIFIED RAGE
We will share some of our experiences at the festival and present a special video message from the community of San Salvador Atenco three years after they suffered brutal state repression and are still fighting for the liberation of their political prisoners.
recibirá las inscripciones de todas y todos aquellos que desean realizar una acción por la libertad y la justicia. A través de ella, podrá enviarse a cada preso un mensaje por escrito. A través de la página también podrán inscribirse las acciones que de todo el país y en otras naciones la sociedad civil decida impulsar.
Today, the SOA Watch movement is a large, diverse, grassroots movement rooted in solidarity with the people of Latin America. The goal of SOA Watch is to close the SOA and to change U.S. foreign policy in Latin America by educating the public, lobbying Congress and participating in creative, nonviolent resistance. The Pentagon has responded to the growing movement and Congress' near closure of the SOA with a PR campaign to give the SOA a new image. In an attempt to disassociate the school with its horrific past, the SOA was renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation in January of 2001.
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