Justice in the Americas

A non-violent vigil and direct action will take place November 20 - 22 at Fort Benning Georgia. The purpose is to force the Obama administration to close the School of the Americas (SOA). The event is sponsored by School of the Americas Watch.

Founded in 1946 SOA had a long and memorable career. They were most famous for training future dictators. Manuel "Pineapple face" Noriega was a graduate of SOA, as were many others accused of crimes against humanity.

Here in Chicago, SOA graduates are best remembered for an occasion on July 22, 1986, when two Chicago teenagers were taken by soldiers to a public square in Chile, doused with gasoline, and then set afire. They were beaten as they burned. Television footage aired world-wide.

The US State Department did nothing. SOA was subsequently renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. The old name still sticks, however, along with the notoriety.

By Adam.S at 2009-11-12 17:53
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