Urgent Action Alert!

June 21, 2007

SOA/WHINSEC Vote Update

Click here to Email/Fax your Representative Now!(Be sure to click the "Send a Fax" box to have the fax sent)

SOA Watch has received NEW information, that WHINSEC has a secret weapon and that the Pentagon's public relations campaign has won some influence with the Representatives who have already told you they will vote YES.

Yesterday was a busy day in Congress and they were not able to finish the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, so we have bought more time to counteract the Pentagon campaign and persuade Congress to vote YES to cut funding for the SOA/ WHINSEC.

Beginning at 10:00am on Thursday, June 21, the amendments to the Foreign Operations Appropriations for fiscal year 2008 will be debated, including the McGovern - Lewis (GA) amendment to prohibit funding for the SOA/ WHINSEC.

As this unfolds, you should be able to view or listen to that House floor debate or watch the vote count on C-SPAN (At the bottom of the page, click on "Live Stream")

Due to this new information, you MUST make your calls again. We need YOU to keep up the pressure on Congress by making telephone calls and sending emails and faxes now, even if you have already made calls. It's very important that you continue to contact congress today to let members know that they have constituents who support human rights and the closing of the SOA/WHINSEC.

"I am calling Representative________ to urge him/her to vote YES on the McGovern amendment to the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. This amendment prohibits 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. The governments of Costa Rica, Argentina and Uruguay 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."