SOA Watch Says Hart Supports Terrorism

The Western PA Chapter of the School of the Americas Watch picketed Representative Hart on February 19 downtown handing out flyers, holding signs, and joining their voices to those who speak for the voiceless. They staged the event to call on Melissa Hart to co-sign H.R. 1258, and rid the world of another terrorist training camp.

"SOA Watch has made it clear that we must get U.S. Representatives to sign on to HR 1258, the bill to close WHINSEC/SOA," said local SOAW organizer, Serena Spenser. "Rep. McGovern will be extremely reluctant to introduce it again if we cannot make a better showing, and soon!"

The Department of Defense’s Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHISC), formerly known as the School of the Americas (SOA), teaches soldiers from Latin America torture, psychological warfare and other terroristic techniques. Graduates of the SOA/WHISC program have gone on to commit some of the worst human rights abuses known, including the massacre of 900 villagers in the small village of El Mozote in El Salvador. And 4th District Republican Representative Melissa Hart heartily supports it.

SOA/WHISC graduates work to violently silence the critics of major trade and economic "agreements" who include unionists, clergy, activists, students and many, many others. Yet Melissa Hart is speaking to the World Affairs Council about these same trade "agreements."

Even though the relationship between human rights abuses by SOA/WHISC grads and these trade "agreements" has long been documented by School of the Americas Watch, Melissa Hart still refuses to co-sign House Resolution 1258, legislation calling for final closure of the School of the Americas. The SOA Watch is asking why Ms. Hart continues to support terrorism.

March 27-30, 2004: SOA Watch Spring Mobilization and Lobby Day

Come to Washington, DC on March 30, 2004 and tell Congress to "Shut Down the SOA! – No More Murder in Our Name and with Our Tax Money!"

The Pentagon lobbies hard to keep money flowing for the SOA/WHISC.  In reacting to the growing public outcry, the Army operates (at taxpayers’ expense) a huge PR campaign that is directed at Congress.  People throughout the country are countering their attempts with grassroots power. The SOA Watch movement is preparing for a large-scale Lobby Day in DC on March 30th.

A vote on the School of the Americas/ Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation is coming up in the U.S. Congress in 2004! It is our job to make sure that enough Representatives will be on board to vote against the school. Hold your Representative accountable.  Make plans to come to Washington, DC and organize others to join you.

The SOA Watch Spring Mobilization will also include trainings, film screenings, street theatre, nonviolent direct action, and social and educational events. Visit www.SOAW.org for more information.

Schedule of Events:

http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=739

Chad Scaggs (left) and Serena Spenser (right) speak with reporters.
(Photo by William M. Roundsley)