|
Speaking Truth To Power...
| (Click on the photos to view additional ones from the three actions listed below) |
|
SOA Watch (RNC) Flier On Sunday, July 30, SOA Watch/NE, Fr. Roy Bourgeois, and "Sing it Down" will be joining forces with the tens of thousands of "Unity 2000" marchers to make our voices heard. This is a permitted march which will extend from JFK Blvd to (left on) 16th Street and conclude on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, in front of the Art Museum Circle (at Eakins Oval). Sunday marks the day before the Republican National Convention (RNC), which is being held in Philadelphia. Additionally, SOA Watch will take part in a Direct Action on Monday, July 31.
Already the media is watching the SOA "Watchers!" On Monday, June 26 the Philadelphia Daily News published a ½ page photo of SOA Watch activist Kristen Bricker holding an "IMF, SOA, WB (World Bank): 'Trickle Down Oppression!'" poster at City Hall. This photo originated from the recent rally in May, following the SOA vote. Not only the media, but Congress, the Pentagon and the public will be watching!
"A single voice among thousands stands alone, but a thousand voices united as one, stand to make a difference!"
We MUST voice our opposition to the Republicans refusal to acknowledge the horrific crimes against humanity that graduates of the School of the Americas (SOA) have perpetrated. We MUST declare SHAME on those who voted against the appointment of an independent Truth Commission, and to keep the SOA open. We MUST let the Republicans know that their support of human rights abusers will NOT be tolerated this November at the polls. Voting against closing the SOA--and any clone, means supporting those who unjustly oppress, intimidate, and massacre those who speak out on behalf of economic justice, adequate housing, health care, education, just wages AND political reforms. We MUST be visible and Vocal. Our voices must rail against the monopolizers of the "truth," those who promote impunity over justice, and who hide behind a veil of deceit and hypocrisy.
We are calling for those who have supported the efforts to CLOSE THE SOA in the past and those who are new to the effort to walk in solidarity with us on Sunday, July 30. Volunteers are needed to help us leaflet, to work a table, to be part of our interactive Street Theater (this may entail a theatrical part, carrying crosses and coffins, and/or dressing in a shroud), or to simply walk in solidarity with us.
In addition, Fr. Roy & hundreds of other SOA "Watchers" will be joining forces with other peace and justice organizations and church groups (for example: Veterans for Peace, 50 Years is Enough, United Students Against Sweatshop, Alliance for Global Justice, Philly No Sweat, Campaign for Labor Right, Witness for Peace, Share Foundation, Washington Peace Center, Vieques Fast for Justice & Peace, Mexico Solidarity Network, Quest for Peace/Quixote Center, Ecumenical Program on Central America & the Caribbean (EPICA), Nicaragua Network, Peacekeepers Action Network, White Dog Cafe, Call to Action, Maryknoll Peace & Justice, International Mayan League, Guatemala Solidarity Network, Amnesty International (Group 112), Las Anonas, Jean Donovan Community Peace Center, St. Joseph's University Coalitions for Justice, Green Street Friends, Youth Leadership Support Network, Cleveland Inter-Religious Task Force, Committee for Inter-American Human Rights), who have been working on similar issues such as sweatshops, human rights, indigenous rights, militarism, economic justice, unfair labor practices, racism, economic justice, etc. in the "War No More" Peace Convergence. We will converge at 15th & JFK at 9AM ~ join up with the march at 10 am -- and walk in solidarity throughout the entire march.
Meeting Place: 15th & JFK Blvd (at "Love Park")
Time: 9 AM
* We need volunteers to help us build the float and puppets, during the upcoming weeks. We also will need many volunteers to help us assemble the float the morning of July 30th, to do leafleting, to help with the sound system, ect. Organizations/individuals interested in collaborating, please contact SOA Watch for more information: (215) 473-2162.
We also welcome you to take part in the SOA Watch Direct Action on Monday, July 31. The level of participation and legal consequences will be scaled from very low risk to high risk. A meeting for the Direct Action will take place on Sat., July 29 ~ 6PM at the Maryknoll House: 6367 Overbrook Avenue, Philadelphia (located two blocks from the R5 (Overbrook) stop (which is just one stop west of 30th Street Station). To view a local map visit http://www.soawne.org/6367.html). Otherwise, please give us a call: (215) 473-2162
YOUR
PRESENCE AND YOUR VOICE WILL BE CRUCIAL! We will
march for our sisters and brother in Latin America whose voices
have been buried beneath mass graves which still litter the
countrysides. We will speak out for the thousands whose
voices are yet to be heard, stifled by intimidation, threats and
torture, and for those who have continued to speak out despite
the fear, despite the threats, despite the loss of family members
-- "disappeared" and killed.
FOR ALL THOSE - - LET US WALK IN SOLIDARITY TO
DECLARE THAT ONE DAY OUR VOICES WILL BE UNITED WITH THEIRS IN
CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM AND JUSTICE!
(If you are not on our mailing list and would like to receive a copy of our recent newsletter please e-mail us your address at info@soawne.org or call us at 215/473-2162--thanks!)
"War No
More" Peace Convergence/Sponsors
SOA Watch
Flier
Philadelphia
Direct Action Group (P-DAG)
Unity 2000
SOA Watch/NE
Home Page
