| March 1, 2005
NATIONAL CALL IN DAY – TUESDAY,
FEBRUARY 22, 2005
In Conjunction with the 2005
Spring Lobby Day in Washington, DC
Do you have 15 minutes to
spare for US military accountability and justice
for the people of the Americas?
SOA Watch has led a
thriving legislative campaign since 1993, a campaign
that forced a “closure” of the SOA in 2000. The opening
of WHINSEC three
weeks later was indeed a slick public relations move
that did cause some
Members of Congress to wait and see if this “new”
institution could
reform. (Visit www.SOAW.org
for more info.)
But we are gaining momentum
again and we will soon see the day when the
majority of Congress will see that you can never reform
without full
accountability, and you cannot teach democracy or
human rights at an
institution that is synonymous with torture. There
will be a vote in the
109th Congress and a victory is possible, but not
without you!
SOA Watch calls on you
to call your Representative and Senators on
Tuesday, February 22, and urge them to support legislation
that would
close and investigate the SOA/WHINSEC once and for
all! These three
calls can truly make a difference! Congressional offices
count how many
calls they get on a specific issue, and these counts
help influence
political support and policy decisions.
CONGRESSIONAL SWITCHBOARD: 202-224-3121
A GOOD PHONE CALL SHOULD:
-
Be directed towards the appropriate
person—the legislative staffer who
handles the SOA/WHINSEC issue, usually either
the foreign policy or
defense aide. Just ask when you call.
-
Include mention of your name and
city/area of residence so they know
you are a constituent.
-
Clearly state your request:
- For Representatives: Co-sponsor new, upcoming
legislation that calls
for the suspension and investigation of the
SOA/WHINSEC. Have them Call
Rep. McGovern’s office for more information.
- For Senators: Introduce companion legislation
in the Senate that
would call for the suspension and investigation
of the SOA/WHINSEC.
-
Briefly mention why that particular
Member of Congress would and should
support the ask. Check out the talking points
( http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=115
) for ideas (but feel free to
think outside the box).
-
Forward this message to everyone
you know and urge them to make these
three calls.
-
Visit the SOA Watch Legislative
Action Center
( http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=96)
for other organizing ideas and
tons of helpful resources like: a quick link to
find out who your Members
of Congress are; past voting and co-sponsorship
records (look under
“Legislative History”); talking points and other
ways to take action.
Catholic Social Teaching informs us
that we are brother and sisters' keepers wherever
they live. Regardless of our differences, we are one
human family. The virtue of solidarity entails loving
your neighbor and has universal repercussions.
School of the Americas Watch
202-234-3440
www.soaw.org
info@soaw.org
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