The legislative campaign of SOA Watch is looking forward to an exciting summer and fall, where we can bring the issue of the SOA/WHINSEC to the national agenda and advocate for alternatives to the growing culture of militarism throughout the hemisphere.

SOA Watch

Submitted by David Culver

The legislative campaign of SOA Watch is looking forward to an exciting summer and fall, where we can bring the issue of the SOA/WHINSEC to the national agenda and advocate for alternatives to the growing culture of militarism throughout the hemisphere.

Our bill, HR 3368, the Latin America Military Training Review Act, has 52 co-sponsors. This legislation would suspend operations at the SOA/ WHINSEC, investigate the history of torture and human rights abuses associated with the school and evaluate foreign military training programs with Latin America. This bill is an important tool for bringing the issue to Congress and increasing our support. We still have time in this Congressional term to gain more co-sponsors and to increase pressure on Congress to close the school.

Click here to see to see if your Representative has already co-sponsored!

If not, contact your Representative today and urge her/him to co-sponsor HR 3368. The Congressional Switchboard number is (202) 224- 3121. Ask to speak with the aide who handles foreign policy, and tell them that you want your Representative to co-sponsor HR 3368.

Even if you have already called, even if you have already emailed, even if your Representative has not been a supporter…

Sometimes past supporters just need a reminder to co-sponsor again. Newer Members need to be introduced to the issue and longer term Members need to be constantly educated and updated. Every contact you make is another opportunity for your Representative to learn more about the issue and to understand its importance to you and other constituents. If you don’t get the response you want right away, keep at it!

One of the most effective things you can do as a constituent is to build a relationship with your Members of congress and their staff. This isn’t a one-time contact, but a long term effort that can yield results and help ensure that your voice is heard. In addition to following up on your initial request that they co-sponsor, more than once if necessary, you can also send them relevant articles and keep them updated on events in countries where SOA/WHINSEC graduates operate.

Click here for more information!

Let’s work now for a new Congress in 2013.

This is a critical election with important implications for the efforts to close the SOA/WHINSEC and address militarism. Many of our long-time supporters are leaving Congress, either through retirement, running for another office, or through specifically targeted gerrymandering of their districts. It’s key to our success that we elect Members of Congress who are willing to take tough stands in support of justice and against the forces of militarization. There is much YOU can do during this election season to help raise the issue of the SOA/WHINSEC and to insist that candidates offer alternatives to violence and militarization of the hemisphere.
Bird-dogging is a tactic used to pressure candidates to take a public stance on an issue or to challenge them on a stance they have taken. It’s a great way to call them out, to educate the public, and gain media attention as well.

Here are some tips for successful bird-dogging:
1. Choose who you will bird-dog and research their prior positions on the SOA/WHINSEC and related issues. The more you know about where they stand, the more specific you can be in your questions.
2. Find others to go with you. It’s a lot less scary, a lot more fun, and a lot more effective to work in teams. One person can ask the question and the other take notes so you’ll have a record of the candidate’s response.
3. Find out where the candidates will be. Check the candidates’ websites and email lists, local media, and other progressive groups for schedules. Find out as much as you can about the event. You can also organize your own debate or issue forum.
4. Prepare your questions in advance, prepare more than one question, and prepare follow-up questions in case they dodge. That way you’ll be ready to put your hand up as soon as it’s time for questions. Also, get to the event early so you’ll be sure to get in and to get seating near the candidate and the cameras.
5. Be assertive, be calm. Don’t be shy about putting your hand up right away. You’ll be more likely to get your question heard.
6. Be direct. You’ll want to set up your question, but be as concise as you can and get to your question.
7. Share your experiences – with your fellow constituents and with SOA Watch!
For more information on the SOA Watch legislative campaign see the Legislative Action page on the SOA Watch website or contact the SOA Watch Legislative Coordinator, Alison Snow, at asnow@soaw.org or (202) 234-3440.

Related:

Tell the RNC and DNC: “Close the SOA!”

While you’re working your Congressional Representative for their support of HR3368, start planning to take the message of closing the School of the Americas (SOA/WHINSEC) to the streets! In August and September, the Republican and Democratic parties  will hold their conventions in Tampa and Charlotte, respectively, in order to drum up support for their candidates and mobilize their bases.

The Republican National Convention mobilization will be from August 27-30, and the Democratic National Convention mobilization will occur from September 1-6.

The conventions are excellent opportunities for SOA Watch activists to educate others about the true nature of US foreign policy. Both parties are responsible for the interventionist U.S. policies that have militarized the Americas, and for the continued operation of the SOA/WHINSEC.

Download the SOA Watch 2012 RNC-DNC flyer.

Be creative and get the message out! There are many ways to educate the public. In 2004, SOA Watch activists joined thousands who protested the Republican National Convention (RNC) in New York.

What actions can you do this year?

We will be there to engage the parties, and to communicate a clear message for justice, peace and self-determination to the people of the Americas. Join the protests, and get together with people in your community to plan and organize creative actions to to educate the candidates and the public about the reality of the militarized U.S. foreign policy.

Contact Nico for more information.