SOA Call-in Day is Feb 22

[elshiva]

Important Message:
School of the Americas Watch. Visit their site at www.soaw.org for
more info.

***Please forward widely***

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).

DON'T STOP NOW:

Excited? There is plenty more you can do to close the SOA/WHINSEC.

· 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.

---
School of the Americas Watch ~ 202-234-3440 ~ www.soaw.org ~
[e-mail]