News
SOA Watch West News ~ SOAWW News ~ May 30, 2001
Wed, 17 Jan 2001 15:29:09 -0700
www.soaw.org ~ www.PeaceHost.net/soaw-w/
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(1) Rep. Joseph Moakley: dead of leukemia
(2) Needed: cosponsors for HR 1810. A fitting tribute to Rep. Moakley!
(3) Charlie Liteky: moved from Prison Camp to adjacent Federal
Correctional Institution, article from Santa Barbara News-Press
(4) Time to be active?
San Francisco SOAW meeting on Thursday, June 7, 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Unitarian Universalist Center, Franklin at Geary, San Francisco
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(1) May 29, 2001
A BOSTON GLOBE EDITORIAL - John Joseph Moakley - Page A14
John Joseph Moakley's life had a wholeness to it that is rare in any person,
let alone a successful politician with national influence. He will be
remembered fondly, and with great respect, as someone who never left his
neighborhood in spirit as he spent the second part of his life gaining the
power to do good in Washington.
Moakley was a child of the Depression, when the friendships and support
network of a cohesive urban neighborhood were vital. Like many people in
South Boston, he only left it when a cause of great urgency beckoned - World
War II - even though he had to lie about his age to enlist in the Navy.
Once demobilized, he began the career of a successful neighborhood
politician: first Suffolk Law School; a losing battle, then a victory for
state representative; then on to the state Senate. The emergence of Louise
Day Hicks and the anti-busing movement threatened to derail his attempt to
succeed US Representative John McCormack, the House Speaker and another
consummate insider.
Moakley then proved he was no conventional politician. He abandoned the
Democratic Party to run as an independent against Hicks in 1972. "That was
the Hail Mary ball," he once told a reporter. He lost South Boston, but won
the district, and was on his way to national leadership.
Representative Thomas P. (Tip) O'Neill, soon to be the Speaker, recognized a
similarly skillful legislator in Moakley, and put him on the Rules Committee,
where bills could be made or broken by an insider's nod. Moakley became the
chairman in 1989.
He remained capable of the boldness that characterized his run against Hicks.
Hearing from Salvadoran refugees in his district that they were victims of
political persecution, he became interested in Central American issues. When
a death squad massacred six Jesuits in San Salvador, he headed an
investigation to seek the truth about Salvadoran army involvement and
succeeded in reducing US aid to the military there. He was not afraid to
wield his insider's power in pursuit of justice.
As his district snaked southward because of population shifts, he retained
overwhelming voter support. He influenced the shape of the South Boston
waterfront by pushing for construction of the federal courthouse (now named
after him) and by telling Bob Kraft that the neighborhood wanted no part of a
Patriots stadium. He remained a son of South Boston, while gaining respect
throughout the broader Massachusetts community.
Thoroughly at home in the 21st century, he recalled for many a more
hardscrabble yet emotional rich time 60 or 70 years ago. "These people out
there, they're my boss," he said of his constituents. "I work for them." Joe
Moakley will be missed for his clout, and his humanity.
(2) HR 1810, the House bill to close WHISC,
The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation at Ft. Benning, GA.
Thank those who have already signed on as Co-sponsors:
Rep. Sam Farr, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. George Miller
Urge these Reps to become Co-sponsors NOW in memory of Rep. Joseph Moakley.
Rep. Mike Thompson, Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Tom Lantos, Rep. Anna Eshoo, Rep. Mike Honda,
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Rep. Pete Stark, Rep. Ellen Tauscher, Rep.p. Robert Matsui, Rep. Douglas Ose.
ACTION:
1. Call 202-224-3121 (Capitol Switchboard)
2. Urge your Representative to co-sponsor HR 1810 to close WHISC.
Contact Cindy Buhl (Rep. McGovern's office)
or John Hendricks (Rep. Scarborough's Office) to co-sponsor.
3. Mention the life and concerns of Rep. Joe Moakley
and the harsh sentences given to those who witness nonviolently
including Charlie Liteky (now in his 10th month of his 12-month
sentence).
4. E-mail Dolores Priem (doloresmp@aol.com) with any
important information you learn from your call.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA), Joe Scarborough (R-FL),
Joe Moakley (D-MA) - now deceased, Connie Morella (R-MD), Christopher Shays
(R-CT), and Lane Evans (D-IL) introduced a bill to close the
Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation on Thursday, May 10,
2001.
The bill, HR 1810, is modeled after last year's
Moakley/Scarborough/McGovern/Campbell amendment to the
Defense Authorization Bill. It calls for the closure of the school
and the establishment of a joint congressional task force to assess
U.S. training of Latin American military.
For text of bill visit Congressional web site, thomas.loc.gov
The school's name has changed - but the courses, instructors, and
purpose remain the same.
(3) May 29, 2001
Medal of Honor recipient now leads a life of civil disobedience
New battles to fight
By Nora Wallace, Santa Barbara (CA) News-Press
http://news.newspress.com/np_home/flocal.html)
(4) Time to be active? Contact Dolores Priem (doloresmp@aol.com)
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School of the Americas Watch West News Update
Wed, 17 Jan 2001 15:29:09 -0700
Fr. Roy Bourgeois, founder of SOA Watch will speak in our area!
Tuesday, Feb. 13, San Francisco
4 to 6 PM
"Rallying to Close SOA II"
A student forum - for all students of peace - whatever age
Univ. of San Francisco, Lone Mountain Campus,
Pacific Rim Room
Contact: Office of University Ministry, 415.422.4463
Tuesday, Feb. 13, San Francisco
6 to 9 PM
SOA Watch Benefit Dinner
Univ. of San Francisco, McLaren Center
Donation: $100 per person
Contact: Marjorie Donalds, 415.386.7384
Thursday, Feb. 15, Walnut Creek
7 to 9 PM
Grace Presbyterian Church, Oak Room
2100 Tice Valley Road
Contact: Natalie Russell, 925.934.0759
Information below on these topics:
1. Names old and new: SOA becomes WHISC
(Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation)
2. KQED Channel 9 broadcast of "Enemies of War"
on Sunday, Jan. 21 at 6 PM. The documentary
focuses on Rep. Moakley's investigation of the murders
of the 6 Jesuits and 2 women in San Salvador on Nov. 1989.
3. Upcoming San Francisco Meeting
Thurs. Feb. 1 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Unitarian Universalist Center, Franklin at Geary
4. SOA Watch Strategy Meeting in Washington, DC
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1. Responses to names old and new
(SOA becoming WHISC)
~ Wed. Jan. 17, 3:30 to 5:00 PM, San Jose
Demonstration from Bellarmine College Prep
to the Federal Building
Contact: William O'Connell, 408.379.5441
~ Laurel Paget-Seekins, Oberlin College senior from Philo, CA will take part
in the nonviolent action at Ft. Benning on Jan. 17. Oberlin student Becky
Johnson is committed to fast and vigil at the main gate throughout the month
of January. Regular updates available at www.soaw.org
(See Laurel's story below.)
~ SOA Watch activists are visiting the N. CA offices
of 14 Representatives and 2 Senators
~ Individual action: Send letters calling for the closing of WHISC
to the DC offices of your Representative and
Senators Feinstein and Boxer
2. "Enemies of War" is an excellent documentary about the investigation by
Congressman Joseph Moakley into the assassination of the 6 Jesuits and 2
women in El Salvador in 1989. Moakley's findings forced him to question a
decade of U.S. policy. The investigative work of Rep. Moakley and his aide
(now Rep.) Jim McGovern is one of the three themes/stories running through
the hour long documentary. "Enemies of War" was shown at the 1999 Teach In at
Ft. Benning. Also shown at the SOA Watch West Dinner in San Francisco a year
ago.
~ KQED Comment Line: 415.553.2100
~ http://www.itvs.org/enemiesofwar/
3. The Thurs. Feb 1 meeting in SF focuses on the help still needed for the
events with Fr. Roy.
4. Feb. 3-4 will be the national SOAW Strategy Meeting in Washington, DC.
Send any questions or concerns beforehand to Larry Lauro (San Jose) who will
represent us all. Contact: llauro@bcp.org
______________________________________
January 14, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laurel Paget-Seekins (513) 254-8163
SOA Watch (202) 234-3440
For info: http://www.soaw.org/
CALIFORNIA STUDENT JOINS MONTH-LONG VIGIL & FAST AT FT. BENNING'S MAIN
ENTRANCE TO PROTEST THE SOA & ITS SUCCESSOR
To help expose and close the School of the Americas and its successor the
Western Hemisphere Institute of Security Cooperation (WHISC), concerned
citizens are holding a fast and vigil for the month of January outside the
gates to Ft. Benning, in Columbus, Georgia. Laurel Paget-Seekins, 20, of
Philo, California is joining the vigil and plans to risk arrest, and a
possible prison sentence, in an act of nonviolent civil disobedience on
January 17th when the SOA is reopened as WHISC.
Ft. Benning hosts the U.S. Army's School of the Americas and its successor,
the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. The
taxpayer-funded SOA is known as the School of Assassins because many of its
graduates have been implicated in large-scale and widespread human rights
abuse in Latin America. The WHISC is widely perceived as the SOA's clone.
The "reform package" that created the clone passed in the House of
Representatives by a narrow 214 - 204 vote margin. It has been called
cosmetic by even the school's supporters.
The vigil and fast comes in the wake of the November 19, 2000 Action at Ft.
Benning's entrance sponsored by SOA Watch. Paget-Seekins joins the
struggle of over 8000 Americans who gathered at the gates in November to
voice their opposition to the School of Shame. On that day over 3000
people of conscience risked arrest for "crossing the line" onto the base
bearing white crosses inscribed with names of SOA victims. Over 1700
vigilers were booked and given ban and bar letters forbidding them to
return to the base.
This vigil and fast recalls Fr. Roy Bourgeois' water-only fast at the same
Ft. Benning gate in 1990. That fast inaugurated the School of the Americas
Watch, the grassroots organization that has persistently sought the closure
of the SOA. This fast and vigil is to renew the effort to end the US
involvement in repression in Latin America and to let the Army know we will
not be fooled by the name change.
Paget-Seekins, a senior at Oberlin College, says, "By changing the name of
the SOA, our government is trying to distance itself from the history of
atrocities committed by SOA graduates and at the same time Plan Colombia
shows we have not learned from that repressive history. The war on drugs
can't become the newest excuse for funding, arming and training militaries
in Latin American that repress their own people to maintain vast economic
inequality."
January 17, 2001
Dear Family and Friends,
I was arrested today in an act of nonviolent civil disobedience,
protesting the re-opening of the US Army School of the Americas with a new
name (Western Hemispheric Institute for Security Cooperation) and a new
mission -- to fight the war on drugs in Latin America. I was previously
banned from Ft. Benning, the Army base housing the SOA, for 5 years for
trespassing in procession of over 4000 protesters in November 1999. My
arrest today could result in a maximum sentence of 6 months in federal
prison and a $5000 fine for misdemeanor trespass.
I have taken this action because I feel that I must raise my voice for the
thousands who are silenced by the war on drug our country is waging,
especially in Colombia and in our inner cities. If I go to prison it will
be as a prisoner of war in the war on the poor in both this country and
around the world. Our prisons are full of drug offenders and others whose
lives and communities are being devastated by drugs and by the criminal
justice system's response to drugs. Unfortunately their voices and the
voices of the people of Latin America are not being heard by those in power
in this country.
I have chosen to risk prison as part of the struggle against the School of
the Americas for a number of reasons. Prison witness has been a very
important part of the movement to close the SOA. Over 50 people have
served a combined total of about 30 years in prison for protesting the SOA
and over 70 others are waiting to hear if charges are being pressed against
them. The size and effectiveness of the movement to close the SOA has
grown tremendously in response to prison witness. We have managed to pass
bills in the House of Representatives, which unfortunately never passed in
the Senate, to close the school. In addition there is an incredible support
system for prisoners of conscience within this movement.
I have been working to close the SOA and draw attention to US foreign
policy toward Latin America for three years. SOA graduates have been
linked to many of the worst human rights abuses in Latin America in the
past 50 years. The SOA is where we trained the military leaders of Latin
America to uphold our economic interests with whatever methods necessary.
Please see www.soaw.org for more information on the SOA. We can't let the
Pentagon stop our movement by just changing the name of school.
The SOA movement is currently focusing on the situation in Colombia because
we feel we must challenge this new military build up in Latin America. As
you may know the US Army symbolically closed the School of the Americas on
December 15, 2000 in an attempt to silence the criticism of the school's
history and placate the movement demanding its closure. The finer print is
that they reopened the school with minor modifications on January 17, 2001
under the new name of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security
Cooperation. With the name change the US government is trying to make us
forget the history of repression in Latin America at the same time as
officially changing the focus of our foreign policy from containing
communism to fighting the war on drugs. The war on drugs has become our
new reason for continuing to fund, train, and arm Latin America militaries.
The situation in Colombia right now is the most horrific example. Please
see www.us.net/cip/ and www.colombiasupport.net for more information about
Plan Colombia.
I know it is a privilege to choose to face prison. As a white, middle
class American I have a lot of privilege and I wish to use it to help end
the injustice and inequality of the society that has given it to me. Going
to a minimum security federal prison will allow me to directly experience
one side of the war on drugs. I plan on using my voice from prison and
after I am released to speak to those in power and to other Americans with
privilege about what the war on drugs is doing to the poor and people of
color in the US and Latin America.
It is a deep sacrifice to put yourself in the hands of government and
submit to that sort of personal invasion. I have spoken with others who
have gone to prison. I have frequent dreams about the federal government
harassing me. I am not taking this decision lightly and have been thinking
about it for years. I know it will be hard on my friends and family. But
I feel strongly that this is a step I must take.
In taking this action, I am hoping the fact that a promising 20 year old
graduating from a prestigious liberal arts college with a degree in
mathematics decided to face federal prison instead of graduate school or a
lucrative career will help wake people up to the seriousness of the
situation. It is only when all of us are doing all that we can that we
will be able to make real progressive social change in this country. The
way that you can best support me is to educate yourself about what is
happening in Colombia and about the role of institutions such as the
International Monetary Fund and World Bank in creating even greater poverty
of Latin America and around the world. And about the levels of
incarceration, execution, and injustice in our criminal justice system in
this country. Then please take whatever action you can to challenge the
current system of global injustice.
Sincerely,
Laurel Paget-Seekins
PS - It is now up to the federal prosecutor to decide whether to press
charges against me and it may take months for them to decide and for me to
actually come to trial. I could have a trial sometime this spring or
summer so I will graduate from Oberlin before I have to serve any time. It
is likely I would only be sentenced to 3 months since this is my first
violation of my letter banning me from Ft. Benning. I will probably be at
the minimum security federal prison for women in Dublin, CA.
School of the Americas Watch West News Update
Wed, 27 Sep 2000 18:09:59 +0100
(1) Upcoming Meetings in San Francisco
First Thursdays: October 5, November 2, and December 7
(2) Going to Fort Benning, GA?
Annual SOA Protest at the gates of the SOA is November 17-19, 2000.
Want to get in touch with others who are going?
Contact Midge Donalds at (415) 386-7384.
(3) Civil Disobedience Training
Saturday, November 4, daytime, San Francisco
Goal: forming Affinity Groups for all those planning on "Crossing the Line"
at Ft. Benning on November 19.
(4) 20th Anniversary Commemoration of 4 Churchwomen
Saturday, December 2, 6 PM, San Francisco
March begins at the Hyatt Regency, The Embarcadero and continues up Market
Street to Union Square. The overall focus will be that of solidarity with
the people who continue to suffer oppression in Central and South America.
SOA Watch West will cosponsor this event with other faith-based and
community organizations.
(5) Colombia Update
The following is a list of web sites that provide helpful information on
Colombia.
Center for International Policy
(Robert White, coordinator) (Best US web site!) ---
and click on "Current News" for daily updates from newspapers in U.S., U.K., and Colombia (in Spanish)
Amnesty International/USA
Colombia Support Network
(Cecilia Zarate Laun, coordinator)
Human Rights Watch
(offers documents & books for ordering)
WOLA
(Washington Office on Latin America)
(6) Another Infamous SOA Grad in the News!
The San Francisco Examiner exposes Vladimiro Montesinos, the Military
Intelligence Chief of Peru, trusted advisor to President Fujimori. A long
article appeared in the San Francisco Examiner on Sunday, 09/24/00 on Page
A-2., There is no mention of the fact that he is a 1965 graduate of the
SOA (then in Panama). He is a longtime associate of both the CIA and drug
traffickers. He is now seeking asylum in Panama! It's time to start
publicizing he's an SOA graduate!
Check out the press release on the Montsinos case at www.soaw.org
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