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"<i>While we continue to educate ourselves, it is just as important
to be constantly reaching out to people who are not involved in
SOA Watch or even activism in general</i>"Â YES!!!!!<br>
<br>
<center><a moz-do-not-send="true"
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<p align="center"> <font face="arial narrow" size="3"><i>November
18-20: Converge on Fort Benning, Georgia</i></font> <br>
<font face="arial" size="6">Educate, Mobilize, and
Organize<br>
To Shut Down the SOA!</font></p>
<p align="justify"><img moz-do-not-send="true"
src="http://www.soaw.org/presente/images/stories/honduras/quien.jpg"
align="left" hspace="4" vspace="4" width="296">All
across the US people are mobilizing their communities to
travel to Georgia for the <b><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.soaw.org/take-action/november-vigil">annual
vigil</a></b> at the gates of Fort Benning, where the
School of Americas/WHINSEC is located. We gather in
commemoration and honoring the victims of graduates from
the SOA has a significant role in helping to grow active
resistance to militarization throughout the Americas. This
resistance is instrumental to us all, particularly to
communities within North America that are being targeted
by repressive tactics that are surprisingly similar to
those experienced by our brothers and sisters throughout
Latin America and the Caribbean. Policies such as military
check points throughout Honduras, militarization of our
borders, identification checkpoints in the US that target
undocumented immigrants, and other repressive tactics, all
stem from the doctrine of instilling fear and instability
throughout communities to benefit certain corporate and
governmental interests.</p>
<blockquote class=" cite" id="Cite_7"><i>"Peace is not the
absence of conflict but the presence of creative
alternatives for responding to conflict - alternatives
to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to
violence."</i></blockquote>
<center>- Dorothy Thompson</center>
<p align="justify">It is extremely important to understand
the links between militarization as a tool to push U.S.
economic and political interests abroad, and the attacks
on the poor and communities of color in North America. The
US government continues to push an economic agenda that
takes money from legitimate programs supporting the people
and allocates it towards the militarization of the world,
demonstrating that we all have a stake in the struggle for
justice. It is our responsibility to find a path towards
peace and justice, and to shift the consciousness of this
country. Joining the thousands that gather in Columbus
Georgia to participate in the 2011 November Vigil is an
important step in that struggle. </p>
<p align="justify"><img moz-do-not-send="true"
src="http://www.soaw.org/site/img/calltoact.gif"
align="left" hspace="5">The weekend will be comprised of
many different opportunities to both resist militarization
but also build the types of communities we want to see....
You can:</p>
<br>
<ul>
<li>take action at the <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=IDL%2F%2FX0qldS7kP4ziozkCJPnC8%2FzSrDk">Stewart
Detention Center Rally V</a></li>
<br>
<li>attend the massive rally with speakers and musicians
at the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia</li>
<br>
<li>educate and learn from people directly affected by
militarization and unjust economic policies</li>
<br>
<li>participate in <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=p5woVrlRkSwIDft6S4HtCJPnC8%2FzSrDk">nonviolent
direct action</a></li>
<br>
<li>strategize and connect across race, class, religion,
gender, sexual orientation, and issue lines</li>
<br>
<li>build and strengthen your commitment to justice by
flyering and doing outreach around Columbus</li>
</ul>
<p><font color="#0000FF">**</font><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=KUoT28Oq3NcXb%2BiIwcaa35PnC8%2FzSrDk">One
week to go to submit ad and workshop forms due October 5<sup>th</sup>!!
Tabling requests due October 20<sup>th</sup></a><font
color="#0000FF">**</font></p>
<h3>Mobilize!</h3>
<p align="justify">We are inspired by the examples of
resilience and strength of the people standing up against
military repression in Honduras, neoliberal economic
domination in Chile and the militarization of humanitarian
aid in Haiti. Here in the US, people are also using their
passion and commitment to closing the SOA and changing US
foreign policy in many ways to help bring people to
Georgia in November.</p>
<p align="justify">People are holding fundraisers, video
showings, benefit concerts, speaking tours, and various
other events. For example, <i>Veterans for Peace Twin
Cities, Minnesota</i> is using the documentary they
produced about their journey to the 2010 Vigil as a
fundraiser and to promote youth participation. All money
raised from the film will go towards a scholarship fund to
help those with limited resources to travel to Fort
Benning. Jorge Alva-Huerto of the National Movimiento
Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA) produced a <a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://vimeo.com/29060048">short
video</a> to raise awareness of how communities of color
are being disproportionately targeted by the School of the
Americas and why the presence of these communities at the
November Vigil is essential towards building our movement.
SOA Watch South Florida is holding a <a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=kycj0xwwzdIqn2vTjy6ivZPnC8%2FzSrDk">protest
at the headquarters of Southern Command</a> on October
8-9 to protest US military intervention in the hemisphere.</p>
<p align="justify">There are also other ways to mobilize
your communities through the use of technology to your
advantage. </p>
<ul>
<li>Use <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJv0LZbOkw0&NR=1">this
video</a> from the 2010 Vigil to promote people to
come to the vigil</li>
<br>
<li>Post articles on your website or send out emails
through your list serves</li>
<br>
<li>Use Facebook and Twitter to get the word out</li>
</ul>
<h3>Organize!</h3>
<p>We have a number of resources to help you plan your trip
to the Vigil:</p>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" title="November Rideboard"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=A8pl9zI4ERoXh8BI7Vy0JJPnC8%2FzSrDk"><img
moz-do-not-send="true"
onmouseover="this.src='http://www.soaw.org/images/stories/dc/transportation.jpg';"
onmouseout="this.src='http://www.soaw.org/images/stories/dc/transportation2.jpg';"
style="float: left; margin: 5px;" title="How to Get to
Columbus, GA" alt="How to Get to Columbus, GA"
src="http://www.soaw.org/images/stories/dc/transportation2.jpg"
border="0" height="100" width="100"></a> <a
moz-do-not-send="true" title="Housing"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=jc9UQP%2FO%2FcieBmFACuTR8JPnC8%2FzSrDk"><img
moz-do-not-send="true"
onmouseover="this.src='http://www.soaw.org/images/stories/dc/housing.jpg';"
onmouseout="this.src='http://www.soaw.org/images/stories/dc/housing2.jpg';"
style="float: right; margin: 5px;" title="Accommodation
in Columbus, GA" alt="Accommodation in Columbus, GA"
src="http://www.soaw.org/images/stories/dc/housing2.jpg"
border="0" height="100" width="100"></a> <b>
<p><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.soaw.org/take-action/november-vigil/travel-to-the-soa-watch-vigil/3325-organizing-a-bus-to-columbus">Organize
a Bus!</a></p>
<p>Check out the <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=vUvoH%2FoVmZqF6b3LJEi2fYO97yulheU%2F">Rideboard</a></p>
<p><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=YPCSNvdavV4hsoLe8V70nZPnC8%2FzSrDk">Hotels
and Campsites in Columbus</a><br>
<br>
</p>
</b>
<center><i>Be Sure to make your travel plans to include the
<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.soaw.org/take-action/november-vigil/240-other/3772-stewart-detention-center-vigil-2011">Rally
at the Stewart Detention Center</a> on Friday,
November 18th, at 10am.</i></center>
<h3>Educate!</h3>
<img moz-do-not-send="true"
src="https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/727/images/Nov2011frontsmRGB.jpg"
align="right" hspace="4" vspace="4" width="170">
<p align="justify">While we continue to educate ourselves,
it is just as important to be constantly reaching out to
people who are not involved in SOA Watch or even activism
in general. One of the primary areas of focus for the
vigil is education. As we are reaching out to our
surrounding communities, we are constantly shifting
consciousness and capacity that leads to mass mobilizing
to shut down the SOA, and create a world of justice and
dignity.</p>
<p>Here are some ways:</p>
<ul>
<li>Pre-order <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/727/t/10867/shop/item.jsp?storefront_KEY=777&t=&store_item_KEY=4047">"Somos
Una America: Shut Down the SOA"</a> the newest
documentary produced from Latin America, and schedule a
showing in your community at the end of October.</li>
<li><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://soaw.org/take-action/november-vigil/organize-your-community/3730-order-broadsheets-and-palmcards">Order
Broadsheets and Palm Cards</a> to place in coffee
shops, restaurants, bring to meetings and events, as
well as pass out to strangers on the street.</li>
<li><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://soaw.org/take-action/speaking-tours">Bring
SOA Watch to your community!</a></li>
</ul>
<p><i>"I come to the SOAW Vigil not only to stand up against
that specific institution but rather to stand up to the
bigger hegemon of 'Militarism' - of which the School of
the Americas is only one representation. Being part of
the SOAW movement has broadened my knowledge of the
issues of militarization and allowed me to understand
that it is all around us. It is the culture of
militarism which we have to change, and actively pursue
a culture of peace and justice."</i></p>
<p align="center">--Juan Diego Castro, SOAW Canada
Organizer, Kings University College in London, Ontario</p>
<p>The vigil is a great way to come together with other
youth, union leaders, teachers, activists, people of
faith, immigrants, grandmothers artists and others to
provide a unified voice against the intrusion of
militarism into our lives as well as to present
alternatives to violence and oppression everywhere. We'll
see you in November!</p>
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#CCCCCC;text-align:left;
font-size:12px;color:#000000;line-height:150%;font-family:trebuchet
ms;" valign="top" width="155">
<h3>Grads in the News:</h3>
<p><b><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=tukg7pG1fy8oHyQLWFFnfJPnC8%2FzSrDk">Dos
Erres Massacre Conviction</a></b><br>
Four of the soldiers involved in the Dos Erres massacre
were convicted of murder, and given a sentence of over
6000 years each.</p>
<p><b><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=QJCq3rDX8azQ3CftgN2tC5PnC8%2FzSrDk">Otto
Perez Molina</a></b><br>
Molina, charged with torture, genocide, and other war
crimes, is the frontrunner in the ongoing presidential
elections in Guatemala.</p>
<p><b><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=RWNK%2BrUy1QhOPp1j%2BBsE%2FpPnC8%2FzSrDk">Bolivian
Generals Brought to Justice</a></b><br>
Five former high-ranking military officials and two former
ministers were convicted last month for their roles in the
killings at the protests in El Alto, Bolivia in 2003.</p>
<h3>Super Committee:</h3>
<p>The Joint Select Committee on Deficit reduction - also
known as the super-committee - is a special committee
convened to make decisions about what programs to cut from
the federal budget. They are tasked with cutting over a
trillion dollars in government programs.</p>
<p><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=sucD1a3IZ0RPMLMZWFiqypPnC8%2FzSrDk">Contact
members of the Super-Committee</a> and tell them to
de-fund the SOA/WHINSEC and other failed military programs
through SOUTHCOM.</p>
<h3><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=O7NTqXeYl7s%2BW%2BYF79fc7ZPnC8%2FzSrDk">Call
to Action Conference</a></h3>
<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=9xdiHsrreKh7x4DoSHG43pPnC8%2FzSrDk"><img
moz-do-not-send="true"
src="http://www.soaw.org/images/conf2011-fullimage-lowresolution.jpg"
width="155"></a>
<p>Join <i>Fr. Roy Bourgeois</i> who is speaking at the
Call To Action Conference this November 4-6th!</p>
<p>Be part of the largest gathering of progressive Catholics
in the country with speakers including:</p>
<p>ADA MARIA ISASI DIAZ, Mujerista Theologian; ANTHONY RUFF,
Benedictine Monk and Liturgist; RAUL AL-QARAZ OCHOA,
Immigration and LGBT Rights Activist; JAMIE MANSON,
National Catholic Reporter Columnist</p>
<p>And more than 30 other speakers, workshops, prayer
sessions, arts and entertainment, inclusive worship and
more!</p>
_________________ <br>
<br>
<br>
<img moz-do-not-send="true"
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align="left" border="0" hspace="4" width="30"><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=WvF3EB6bxSBeIQAddrK8XJPnC8%2FzSrDk">Follow
SOAW on Facebook</a> <br>
<br>
<img moz-do-not-send="true"
src="http://www.soaw.org/presente/images/twitter.png"
align="left" border="0" hspace="4" width="30"><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Zml72evAM8TwlZsrVCJSxZPnC8%2FzSrDk">Follow
SOAW on Twitter</a> <br>
<br>
<img moz-do-not-send="true"
src="http://www.soaw.org/images/youtube-icon.png"
align="left" border="0" hspace="4" width="30"><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=v2yGRE1UT2GoMi3vk9PlRpPnC8%2FzSrDk">See
us on YouTube</a> <br>
<br>
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#FFFFFF;" colspan="2" valign="top"> <span
style="font-size:10px;color:#996600;line-height:100%;font-family:verdana;">
<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:info@soaw.org">Contact
us</a>. <br>
<br>
Our mailing address is:<br>
SOA Watch, PO Box 4566, Washington, D.C. 20017, USA<br>
<br>
Our telephone: (202) 234 3440<br>
<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=nApnT87uKsno9geaARfGe5PnC8%2FzSrDk">Click
here</a> to fund the campaign to close the SOA. </span>
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