November 16, 1989 and the School of America's
On November 16, 1989 in San Salvador, El Salvador six Jesuit priests. their housekeeper and the housekeepers daughter were assassinated. This was the most prolific in the thousands of murders of activists, peasants requesting land reform, academics and clerics. It turned out that the people responsible for the killings were trained at the School of America's in Fort Benning, Georgia. For decades the United States has funded and brought folks in from other nations to train them to foment violence and unrest and to murder their own people. Many of these citizens are doing the bidding of right wing dictatorships and repressive regimes that perform the dirty work of the US abroad. Year after year the US Congress has funded this operation.
As a result of this happening and the actions being brought to light, each year near the anniversary of this atrocity, there is a huge vigil, demonstration and teach in at the Fort. Thousands come together to witness, march, demand and pray for a change in US Policy and attitude.
When this happened 25 years ago, I had just successfully run a city initiative for an advisory vote requesting a reduction of 10% of military spending to be re-directed into deficit reduction and social services. Since this was a very heavy military town nobody thought we would get on the ballot. Not only did we, but we won with 64% of the vote. 9 days later, the Jesuits we killed.
Four days after they were killed, our US Rep. (Who had been voting consistently for the SOA) Came to the Jesuit seat here in Tacoma at a Mass of mourning and said to the congregation that the priests shouldn't have been there. About half the congregation walked out and sought a person to run against him. They decided on me and I ran. While not winning, I got the highest percentage of votes ever against him in a primary and shortly after the election, he changed his vote in regards to the SOA.
In the years since, I have always wanted to be present at this action in Ft. Benning every November and finally this year I am so moved, honored and excited to be there. If there are any DU members on here who will be attending also, please let me know. My wife and I will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Phenix City on Friday and the Comfort Inn in Columbus on Saturday and Sunday.
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