Make the SOA History!

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!

Please call the D.C. offices of your Representative and your Senators by calling the Capitol Hill Switchboard (TOLL FREE: 1-800-473-6711).

Ask to speak with the foreign affairs legislative assistant and here is a suggested message for you to convey:

"As a constituent living in _________, I am calling Congressman/woman ________ to urge him/her to contact Rep. McGovern and ask to be an original cosponsor of the Latin America Military Training Review Act of 2009, formerly HR 1707 in the 110th Congress. This legislation will be introduced in the next few weeks. The bill is identical to HR 1707and would suspend operations at the School of the Americas, renamed WHINSEC, and investigate the history of human rights abuses and failed policies of the institution.

New information indicates that WHINSEC has allowed known human rights abusers to instruct and receive training at the school. Argentina and Uruguay are two more countries that have made public announcements they will no longer send students to the school, citing the negative image and history of this institution. Despite demands by Congress to have oversight over the curriculum and promote human rights, the Pentagon is now denying all requests to provide information to human rights organizations and the public about students and graduates of the school.

I urge you to contact Cindy Buhl in Representative McGovern's office and ask that your boss be added as an original cosponsor of this legislation. I hope you will represent my views and support this bill."

Torture survivors Patricia Isasa from Argentina and Pablo Ruiz from Chile and others are among the scores of human rights activists who are visiting Congressional offices on Capitol Hill today to call for the closure of the SOA/ WHINSEC.

You can amplify their voices with your phone call and let your Members of Congress know that there are thousands around the country who feel very strongly about this issue.

Please take the time and call the Capitol switch board now: 1-800-473-6711