• SOA Graduate Exposed in Chile

• How Much Longer? by Eduardo Galeano

• SOA Watch in Chile, Ecuador and Peru

• Take Action to End the U.S. War in Iraq!

• Delegation to Bolivia

• Palm Cards and Organizing Packets for the November Vigil

SOA Watch in Chile, Ecuador and Peru

The decisions made by the Uruguayan and Argentinean governments earlier this year, and by the Venezuelan government in 2004, to cut all ties with the SOA and to publicly denounce the school’s legacy of terror and violence are expressions of grassroots power within those countries. Through relentless organizing work, popular movements have gained the strength to determine the directions of their countries.

Other Latin American nations may soon follow suit and also reject SOA training as SOA Watch continues its strategy of building closer relationships with Latin American social movements and engaging with government leaders throughout the Western Hemisphere. From August 13 to September 3, 2006, Salvadoran torture survivor Carlos Mauricio, human rights activist Lisa Sullivan-Rodriguez, photographer and SOA Watch NE member Linda Panetta, and SOA Watch founder Fr. Roy Bourgeois will travel to Ecuador, Chile and Peru, where they will meet with human rights groups and government officials, building on the experience of their March delegation to Bolivia, Argentina and Uruguay.

While civil society in Latin America never doubted it, there are now also a number of Latin American presidents like Chile's Michelle Bachelet and Evo Morales from Bolivia, for whom the SOA stands synonymous with torture and the repressive military regimes that killed their loved ones.

We will be keeping you up to date on the progress of the trip through our website so check in regularly!

 

Delegation to Bolivia: October 21-31, 2006
Sponsored by Marin Interfaith Task Force & SOA WATCH

After years of popular unrest and the exit of two presidents in the face of national upheaval around issues of gas and water privatization, strong community organizations and indigenous movements have helped shape a new moment. For the first time in 500 years, Bolivia has a leader, President Evo Morales, who reflects the face and culture of its indigenous majority, bringing hope and dignity to one of the poorest nations in South America.

As a follow-up to the trip to Chile, Ecuador and Peru we welcome all those interested in taking part in a delegation to Bolivia to witness the social progress achieved by the Bolivian social justice movements and Evo Morales’s government.

COST: $1,000, from Cochabamba, Bolivia (return from La Paz recommended).
Includes: Airport pick-up; double room occupancy; two meals per day; ground transportation; translation; programmed activities.
NOT Included: International travel, lunches, visas, airport departure taxes, and personal expenses.

TRIP LEADER: Lisa Sullivan-Rodriguez, former Maryknoll Lay Missioner who worked in Bolivia and Venezuela for over 20 years, will lead the delegation. She has extensive knowledge of the political and social conditions that exist in Latin America and has coordinated several successful fact-finding trips to Venezuela with MITF.

For more information and an application, email Dale Sorensen at geodale1(at)earthlink(dot)net or mitf(at)igc(dot)org or phone 415/924-3227.

 

Take Action to End the U.S. War in Iraq!

SOA Watch activists around the country have been active in the ongoing resistance to the U.S. war in Iraq and we support the nonviolent direct action campaign spearheaded by the Declaration of Peace. We encourage all SOA Watch supporters to use the September events to build momentum for the November vigil at the gates of Fort Benning.

The Declaration of Peace is a nationwide campaign working to establish a concrete and rapid plan for peace in Iraq by September 21, 2006, including: