Shut Down School of the Assassins

Fort Benning, GA, Nov. 21-23, 2003

Join thousands at the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia from November 21-23,
2003 to commemorate all victims of military and economic violence and
demand an end to impunity. Stand up for justice and against the double
standard in the "War on Terrorism" -- organize to close the SOA (renamed
Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation).1) What to expect in Fort Benning, Georgia

2) Legal Briefing for People Considering Civil Disobedience

3) Transportation information

4) Housing

5) Make it happen

6) Outreach Material

7) Upcoming Events Calendar (trainings, regional meetings etc.)
8)
Donate to SOA Watch

COME TO FORT BENNING, GEORGIA

For a preliminary schedule of the November 21-23, 2003 events to close the
SOA in Fort Benning, Georgia, to read what will happen at the rally at the
gates of the base on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2003, what the scenario for the
nonviolent direct action on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003 will look like and how
decisions are being made, visit SOAW

LEGAL BRIEFING

Bill Quigley, a lawyer from the Loyola University School of Law prepared a
basic briefing that is giving answers to questions regarding the legal
consequences of crossing the line onto the military base (including
citizenship, studentgrants, possible prison sentences etc.). To read the
legal briefing visit: SOAW

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

If you are organizing busses to Fort Benning or if you are looking for a
ride to the vigil action, list your information on the ride board. You
can find the ride board and more information about plane tickets, charter
buses and driving directions here:
SOAW

HOUSING

SOA Watch has rooms in several hotels in the Columbus, GA area booked on
group rate and the hotels are filling up fast (some are already booked
out). Call now and reserve rooms for you and your group. A listing of
housing options is posted here: SOAW

MAKE IT HAPPEN

Communities across North America are busy preparing for the November vigil
to close the SOA/WHISC. Now is the time to organize video showings,
fundraisers, talks and other outreach events, to spread the word in order
to fill the buses from your region. Talk to your local media about your
participation in the protests to close the SOA. Order or download an
Organizing Packet for more suggestions (see below). We also need people
who can build and bring crosses, Stars of David, Birds of Liberation and
other commemorative symbols for the solemn funeral procession at the gates
of Fort Benning. We also need Indymedia activists, street medics,
puppetistas, peacekeepers and many more volunteers, who can help out with
tasks during the weekend in Georgia. Please contact John at (202) 234
3440 in the SOA Watch office in DC if you will be able to help out during
the vigil action.

OUTREACH MATERIAL

Download the free, print-ready "SOA Watch Info", a four-page compilation
of hard facts and exposing information about the School of the
Americas/WHISC and distribute it in your community:
SOAW


Download fliers for the November vigil action and other info material
here: SOAW


You can order the SOA Watch November 2003 Organizing Packet from SOA Watch
or download it from the web: SOAW


For educational videos and books to educate yourself and others about the
SOA/WHISC, visit: SOAW

UPCOMING EVENTS

Visit the events calendar for more information about the SOA Watch Lobby
Day on September 23, upcoming trainings in preparation for the November
Vigil Action, regional SOA Watch Strategy meetings, etc.
Calendar


SOA Watch founder Father Roy Bourgeois is traveling across the country
(South Carolina, Iowa, Wisconsin, DC, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania,
Montana, New Hampshire, Louisiana, Nebraska, Illinois) to talk to
communities about why the SOA has to close. Visit
Schedule to see his speaking schedule.

DONATE TO SOA WATCH

SOA Watch needs to raise $45,000 by November 1st, 2003 to be able to pay
for this years November vigil action expenses (e.g. outreach, the media
campaign, sound and stage equipment, portable toilets, fax and phone lines
and the rental of spaces etc.) We ask for your help. Please give as you
are able.

Please make Checks and Money Orders payable to "SOA Watch" and mail them to

SOA Watch

PO Box 4566

Washington, DC, 20017

You can also donate online through PayPal by clicking on the following link:
PayPal

SOA Watch does not have 501(c)3 status. Financial Contributions are
therefore not tax-deductible. We are also in need of a new digital fax
machine. -- please call (202) 234 3440


Hope to see you at the gates of Fort Benning in Georgia in November!