Vigil / Protest to Close the SOA!!!
(Ft. Benning, Georgia)

"We're Gonna Keep On Walking Forward..."
November 17-19


(Photos byLinda Panetta) Click here to view additional photos of the1999 vigil.

Nonviolence / Peacekeeper Training, Philadelphia, PA ~ Saturday, October 28

The focal point of the grassroots movement to close the SOA continues to be a multi day gathering at the main gate of Fort Benning each November on the anniversary of the massacre of the 6 Jesuit priests and their two co-workers. From across the US, thousands of people will gather to honor all the victims of SOA graduates, culminating with a solemn procession onto the base on Sunday, November 19.

Brief History of the Movement: During the first few years the numbers were small, then in 1995, 13 protesters were arrested and sent to prison simply for marching onto the open base. This galvanized the movement and by 1997 the numbers jumped to over 2,000, with 601 participating in the civil disobedience. Twenty-five of the 601 "line crossers" were repeat offenders and were singled out for prosecution. In this group were three Catholic nuns (one who had just turned 70), 2 college students, several clergy, Vietnam veterans and retired college professors. Each were issued the maximum sentence of 6 months in federal prison.

The government's tactics to try and silence the movement backfired as more than 7,000 people rallied at the gates of Ft. Benning in 1998. Of those, over 2,300 crossed the line in an attempt to deliver tens of thousands of petitions to the SOA calling for the closure of the school.

The increased protesting and public awareness not only drew national attention, but greatly heightened the concerns of many in Congress. In 1999 the House voted 230-197 to cut a crucial part of the SOA funding. However, that decision was overturned a few weeks later by a single vote in a House-Senate Conference Committee.

The increased support for the movement to close the SOA became evident when in November, 1999, over 12,000 people gathered at the gates of Ft. Benning--almost twice the previous year's numbers--and nearly 5,000 of those present risked arrest by crossing the line. This year, pressured by Congress, shamed by public outcry, and troubled by dissension even within their own ranks, the Pentagon was forced to react with a ploy to keep the school in operation. As part of the Defense Authorization Bill, the Pentagon proposed to close the school and reopen it immediately with a new name. Even SOA supporters call the gimmick "cosmetic," a name change with no attempt to address the SOA's links to human rights atrocities in Latin America.

This year we want our voices to be heard even louder than before!!! We want Congress, the Pentagon, and Ft. Benning to know that we will not stop protesting until the SOA is closed for good. No, not until a congressional task force is allowed to show the links between the training at the SOA and the thousands of human rights atrocities attributed to its graduates... We will not end our fight for justice until there is an end to the unjust socioeconomic structures which the US has propped up which benefit a wealthy minority at a cost of a subjugated majority. The voices of the people will prevail... and it will begin one step at a time... See you at Ft. Benning!!!

"A single voice among thousands stands alone...
but a thousand voices united as one, stand to make a difference!"

With us this year will be musicians Bruce Cockburn, Pete Seeger and Tao Rodriguez, Sing it Down, Charlie King, Actor Martin Sheen, and countless other musicians, student activists, and speakers offering empowering testimonies. On Sunday, November 19, join thousands as we cross the line to commemorate the lives of the thousands massacred and disappeared by SOA graduates... We look forward to seeing you there!!!

For more information contact SOA Watch/NE at (215) 473-2162

Places To Stay During the Vigil:

Phoenix City, Alabama (Approx. 10-15 minutes from the vigil):
Days Inn 334/298-1005
Holiday Inn 334/298-9321
Sunset Lodge 334/298-5255
Best Western (name may have changed): 334/298-8000

(In/near) Columbus, GA (Approx. 15-20 minutes from the vigil):
Extended Stay 706/653-9938 / (706) 653-0131
Wingate 706/225-1000
Country Inn & Suite 706/660-1880
Sheraton Inn (706) 327-6868
Howard Johnson Inn (only singles) (706) 322-6641
Rivertown Inn (706) 322-2522
Holiday Inn North (only kingsize beds) (706) 324- 0231
Hilton Columbus (only smoking) (706) 324-1800
Villager Motel (706) 324-3694
Thunderbird Motel (706) 687-1030
Marriot (only kingsize beds) (706) 323-2323
Hampton Inn (706) 576-5303

Phenix City, AL
Town and Country Inn (334) 297-6572
Colonial Inn (334) 298-9361
Ramada Inn (334) 448-2030

Richland, GA (30 miles from Columbus on 280E)
Days Inn (912) 887-9000
Specify SOA Watch group rate ($48 + tax)

Opelica, AL (25 miles from Columbus on 280W)
Holiday Inn (334) 745-6331
Comfort Inn (334) 741-9977
Days Inn (334) 749-5080
Travel Lodge (334) 749-1461
Knights Inn (334) 749-8377
Budget Inn (334) 745-3115

To coordinate with folks leaving from Philadelphia, contact SOA Watch/NE: (215) 473-2162 or
Deirdre at 215/386-9224 x 121

Click here for Ft. Benning Logistics
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