SOA amendment this week, can you spare a moment

to make a quick phone call?

A little background: WHINSEC, formerly The School of the Americas "...is frequently cited as an example of United States support for regimes in Latin and South America that employ death squads and otherwise infringe upon human rights."

For more information, visit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Hemisphere_Institute_for_Security_Cooperation

Please consider placing a call (or two) to Congress. I got this message today from a dear friend, and I'm passing it along...

_________________________________________________________________________________

During the week of June 5, Congress will vote on an amendment to close
the SOA/ WHINSEC. Rep. McGovern (D-MA) will introduce an amendment to the
Foreign Operations appropriations bill to cut funding for the SOA/
WHINSEC!

WE EXPECT A CLOSE VOTE and need as many people as possible flooding the
offices of the House of Representatives with calls in support of a YES
vote on the amendment. THIS IS IT! And it's the people power of our movement that will get this amendment passed! Visit the Legislative Action Index for more information: http://www.soaw.org/legislative.

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--> NATIONAL CALL-IN DAYS TO CLOSE THE SOA/WHINSEC <--
TUESDAY, June 6 and WEDNESDAY, June 7:
Call Congress at 202-224-3121 or toll free at 888-355-3588.
============================================================

Please take the time to call the DC office of your Representative through
the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or toll free at
1-888-355-3588.
Ask to speak with the foreign affairs legislative assistant. Here is a
suggested message for you to convey:

"I am calling Congressman/woman ________ to urge him/her to vote YES on
the McGovern amendment to the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. This amendment is a cut in 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. Argentina and Uruguay are two more countries that 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."

SEND AN EMAIL AND FAX TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE:
http://www.soaw.org/legislative. (Be sure to click the "Send a Fax" box to have the fax sent).

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit the SOA Watch website at http://www.soaw.org