SOA/WHINSEC Vote Update

[roody]

Source: School of the Americas Watch




School of the Americas Watch
www.SOAW.org | 202-234-3440 | Click to subscribe

Urgent Action Alert!
June 21, 2007

SOA/WHINSEC Vote Update

Click here to Email/Fax your Representative Now!(Be sure to click the "Send a Fax" box to have the fax sent)
SOA Watch has received NEW information, that WHINSEC has a secret weapon and that the Pentagon's public relations campaign has won some influence with the Representatives who have already told you they will vote YES.
Yesterday was a busy day in Congress and they were not able to finish the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, so we have bought more time to counteract the Pentagon campaign and persuade Congress to vote YES to cut funding for the SOA/ WHINSEC.
Beginning at 10:00am on Thursday, June 21, the amendments to the Foreign Operations Appropriations for fiscal year 2008 will be debated, including the McGovern - Lewis (GA) amendment to prohibit funding for the SOA/ WHINSEC.
As this unfolds, you should be able to view or listen to that House floor debate or watch the vote count on C-SPAN (At the bottom of the page, click on "Live Stream")
Due to this new information, you MUST make your calls again. We need YOU to keep up the pressure on Congress by making telephone calls and sending emails and faxes now, even if you have already made calls. It's very important that you continue to contact congress today to let members know that they have constituents who support human rights and the closing of the SOA/WHINSEC.
Call Congress Now at 202-224-3121 !
Please take a few minutes today to call the DC office of your Representative through the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Ask to speak with the foreign affairs legislative assistant.
Here is a NEW suggested message for you to convey when calling your Representative:

"I am calling Representative________ to urge him/her to vote YES on the McGovern amendment to the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. This amendment prohibits funding for the School of the Americas/ WHINSEC. New information indicates that WHINSEC has allowed known human rights abusers to instruct and receive training at the school. The governments of Costa Rica, Argentina and Uruguay have made public announcements they will no longer send students to the school, citing the negative image and history of this institution. Voting YES on this amendment sends a positive human rights message to Latin America and will help to improve the U.S. image abroad. As an elected official in Washington D.C., I hope you will represent me and vote YES on any amendment in the House that would cut funding for the school."
The volume of calls you are making may be overloading the House Switchboard number so if you cannot get through, please call their office directly. You can look up their phone number by accessing the Clerk of the House phone directory and note that all phone numbers have a "202" area code.
Click here to Email/Fax your Representative Now! (Be sure to click the "Send a Fax" box to have the fax sent)
For more information, visit the SOA Watch website and the Legislative Action Index.

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[roody]

1. soa emails

----Original Message-----
From: Eric LeCompte

Dear Friends -

Today on the Hill - 40 of us gathered to meet with representatives and amplify your calls and voices from across the country. In addition to union, religious orders, church groups and human rights organizations, we were joined by a group known as Libertad. A women's organization based in Bolivia and one of the groups organizing to get Bolivia to pull its troops out. The women brought translators and approached several latino members who were on the fence and spoke to them in their native language - and they got them to join us.

Office to office, representative to representative we have had to fight. Many members on our swing list getting as many as 11 visits from our various partners. We are opposed by generals marching in the hall ways and right wing bishops telling Congress the school is important to a "moral" US foreign policy. As we get closer - they pull out bigger guns. Tonight we learned that WHINSEC has recruited more high ranking support that could impact us and even shift the firm commitments that we have - that you previously confirmed with your calls. Even if your member has committed to be with us - You must keep up the pressure and call again and reconfirm the commitment.

Your calls - even to those who have always supported us, are needed and will make the difference (You can call and ask for your representative at the Capitol Switch Board - 202-224-3121).

Much Love,
Eric

SOA Watch
(202)2343440
[e-mail]

-----Original Message-----
From: Eric LeCompte
Subject: Close Vote Expected

Dear Friends,

We had a great day on the hill. Thirty members of our movement continually met with aides on the pending vote to cut funding to SOA/WHINSEC. Many offices have been receiving hundreds of phone calls on the issue. Amazingly, many of the new members are still unsure how to vote and need to hear form you. Grassroots pressure will determine the outcome of this vote.

You all are working incredibly hard. Please keep calling, emailing and faxing. Please keep sending alerts to your co-workers, membership organizations, friends and family. You are making history.

La Lucha Continúa -

Eric

Eric LeCompte
SOA Watch
(202)2343440
[e-mail]

[redqueen]

2. I called this morning...

as soon as I heard it was delayed.

CALL NOW!

:kick:

[roody]

3. At 5:51 Eastern time, no news yet

Keep calling, faxing, emailing please!

[redqueen]

4. Defeated... 6 vote margin.

Closer than last time... change is coming, dammit!