USF Division of Mission and Ministry/Duns Scotus Honors Program
The School of the Americas : A Real Eye-Opener
Interviews conducted by Daniella Almazan and Jacie Spudic
Complied and Edited by Lauren Emanuelson
On Friday November 16, 2007 several USF students (including the Duns Scotus Fellows), faculty, and alumni voyaged down to Fort Benning , Georgia to peacefully protest the teachings and the governmental funding of the School of the Americas . The School of the Americas , better known as the School of the Assassins in the victimized countries of Latin America , has contributed to the suffering of thousands of innocent victims.
Background
According to the School of the Americas Watch ( www.soaw.org ):
“The School of the Americas (SOA) is a U.S. Army training school that trains soldiers and military personnel from Latin American countries in subjects like counter-insurgency, military intelligence and counter-narcotics operations. Under Department of Defense jurisdiction, this school is funded by U.S. taxpayer money, all of the training is conducted in Spanish, and most of the classes are taught by Latin American instructors. According to the SOA itself, more than 60,000 members of Latin Americanmilitaries have attended the SOA since its inception in 1946.
The SOA was "closed" in December of 2000 and "reopened" on January 17, 2001 with a new name, the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC). This was a result of a Department of Defense (DOD) proposal included in the Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year 2001. The measure passed when the House of Representatives defeated by a narrow ten vote margin a bipartisan amendment to close the school and conduct a Congressional investigation. The name change was widely viewed as an attempt to distance the institution from its controversial history.”
The Experience from the Duns Scotus Fellows Prospective
The days were filled and moving. Each experience led to something bigger and even more touching. The message was conveyed through the faces of each and every participating and observing member of the crowd. The School of the Americas has had a negative effect on so many innocent lives. We can no longer stand off to the side and do nothing. Will we be violent? No. Will we be passive? No. We will stand up for our beliefs. We stand up for those that cannot stand up for themselves. We stand up for the oppressed, the tortured, and the innocent. We actively and peacefully protest for so many that lost their lives at the hands of the School of the Americas graduates.
The experience started in the early morning on Saturday November 17, 2007. Several people were geared and ready to learn the true story behind the development, funding, and teachings of the School of the Americas . There were participants of all ages—from the very young to the very old. Each had an enlightening viewpoint to share with everyone else. Each had their own message to convey, as well as their own story to tell. The graduates of the School of the Americas have somehow directly or indirectly affected the lives of all the participants. The crowd was moving. From the very young with limited knowledge, to the very old with a wealth of experience, to the organizers, to the victims that have suffered torture—each were a piece of the puzzle that made up the non-violent, active protest.
Quite an Impact
Several speakers talked about the need for pressure on the government. We need to be vocal and peaceful; however, we must be active in our movements. Many take a vow to serve others. Some choose to “cross the line”. Those that cross the line face criminal punishment, jail time, and fines for trespassing on to government property—a small price for some to pay compared to the lives that are lost as a result of the School of the Americas . Survivors of torture at the hands of School of the Americas graduates were present amongst the crowd. However, these are just a few of the “lucky” ones. But we find ourselves pondering how a torture victim can actually be lucky. They are still living their life on Earth, but for many, their soul is lost. They have been beaten, tormented, tortured, and abused. They are lucky enough to be alive and walking amongst us today. They still have a voice. For those that weren't present, their names were read. The never-ending list of victims lost continued forever. If those that couldn't be there, we represented their presence. We are their voice. Many have been lost due to the violent actions of torture by SOA graduates, but we refuse to forget them.
A Multitude of Reflections
The wealth of information shared amongst protesters was very diverse and equally touching in some aspect. Even those with limited knowledge had in someway been moved, angered, or negatively impacted by the actions of the School of the Americas graduates. Below are some excerpts from a handful of the several interviews during the protest:
Interviewee: Eric LeCompte (Director of SOA Watch, Washington , D.C. )
The fellows were lucky enough to come in contact with the director of SOA Watch, which coordinates the peaceful protest at Fort Benning on a yearly basis. Eric grew up on the South side of Chicago where he was raised in a working class family. After high school, he decided to bypass college and mover to Rochester , New York where he resided within the Catholic Community. He began with the campaign to close the SOA in the 1990's when the movement against the SOA was very young. He organized an event in social justice that brought him for the first time to the SOA. Eric talked of organizing a fast on the Capitol Hill steps for 40 days to close the SOA. At this point, he knew he had to go to college to receive his degree to have a credible educational background. In college, he organized a group of 60-70 students to go protest the SOA and has been coming back every year since. Eric recalled that in 1990, 20 people came to protest the SOA and every year the crowd has been growing. He is impressed and moved by the efforts taken and the growth that has generated due to the efforts of the beginning protesters. Eric explained how the SOA is an aberration of U.S. foreign policy. Bill emphasizes that the closing of the School of the Americas is a presidential issue. He further explains how there are several candidates that are against the SOA. He hopes to see the SOA closed by 2008. Eric states that the closing of the SOA can be done by executive order. The last bill to close the SOA was only six votes short. Therefore, it is important to continue to carry out a voice for the people, so our government knows our stance. Eric explained how each and every individual can do something to help the cause of closing the School of the Americas . We all need to apply pressure on Congress. This can be done by simply emailing, writing to, or faxing local Congressmen. We need to lobby and carry out the voice of the people. The government needs to know that we will not tolerate the torture and oppression that is generated through the School of the Americas . To do all of this, we need to first educate ourselves on the several dimensions of the SOA and then further help to educate others. There has to be and end to the oppression caused by the funding of the School of the Americas , and we cannot stop until there is!
Interviewee: Rachele (Member of the Socialist Workers Party)
This was Rachele's third year at the SOA protest, but her group has come to this protest for ten years now. She feels very strong about closing the SOA. She refuses to be a part of “the U.S. 's war machine.” In her opinion, the SOA is just more proof that the U.S. government aids in true oppression. The United States is the seat of government of the most powerful engine that has ever existed, yet we aid in the torture and torment in poverty stricken countries. By funding the School of the Americas , the taxpayers of the United States are funding oppression, torture, and torment. Rachele will continue to protest against a power that harms so many innocent individuals. “It's very inspiring to see young people who are looking for a way to change the world to end the oppression that exists in this war.”
Interviewee: Bill (Former catholic priest; Age: 47)
Bill was very open to discussing his views of the SOA. He approached Duns Scotus Fellows while the Fellows were talking with his young niece. Bill and his niece are a great example of the active protesting that will continue to carry on through families until a change is made to the curriculum enforced and taught at the School of the Americas . Bill first came to the protest in 1991 when there were only 30-40 people protesting the SOA, and he has been actively protesting ever since. The innocent lives lost and the torture that fellow man-kind goes through because of tactics taught at the SOA encourage Bill to keep moving forward. Bill was once a priest. This is how he became aware of the SOA. In 1985, while at the Parish, he met Father Dan Barrington. Father Barrington sparked interest in Bill to join a non-violent, yet resistive movement. He remembers one year when he was protesting the SOA that several nuns and elderly people crossed the line in a peaceful and non-violent, yet active protest. The prosecution sentenced them to the maximum sentence. However, he recalls that the people going to jail only sparked more interest in the protest attempts. Bill prepared to cross the line one year, and did so. As a result, he was arrested and detained. “Nothing more liberating than getting those hand cuffs on.” It is highly important to note that although Bill crossed the line and was detained for doing so, he (like most of the protesters against the School of the Americas ) is an avid believer in non-violent, yet resistive movements. “I'd rather put my body on the line than pick up a gun.” Bill was willing to invest the emotional and psychological stress of going to jail for the cause. Getting arrested for a good cause is looking into a portal into a whole different world.” Bill feels very free, but feels that the most he can do is be a non violent resistor. When speaking on the effect of jail due to his non-violent resistance, Bill stated that “You have to be free enough to go to jail, physically, but mostly psychologically.” Bill never thought the SOA protest would grow so large, but is happy to see such a large amount of support through this turnout. He is happy to see many young people that will be the future torch holders of future SOA protests, if needed.
Bill even explained his actions (and the actions of others) in the eyes and the teachings of St. Francis. Actively resisting is liberating! While with his parish, St. Francis was trained by Franciscans. He learned the values. Active resistance is more affluent. Even in this country we have cases of extreme poverty. Like Francis did, we must look at poverty through the eyes of the poor. We are very privileged to receive an education, where others are not. We have freedom where others face oppression. We must speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves. “Freedom is another word for nothing.” Freedom should be innate.
Almost every individual interviewed talked about the importance of the active resistance of young people—someone that can carry on the message for years to come. The Duns Scotus Fellows were lucky enough to contact two young individuals with some experience at the SOA protest. Their names have been disclosed due to their young age.
Interviewee: Anonymous #1 (Age: 13)
At the very young age of thirteen, this young participant has been actively protesting the School of Americas for four years now. She stressed that she has been highly involved because her father is very interested in the cause. She looks forward to continuing to seek the true knowledge of the detrimental effects of the School of the Americas . She still doesn't know as much as she would like to about the SOA, but chooses to come because all of her family is against the SOA and she wants to learn more. She seeks guidance from the more experienced protesters, and she seeks the honest truth about the torture that the victims that suffer at the hands of the School of the Americas graduates.
Interviewee: Anonymous #2 (Age: 12)
This was the second of the young participants that was interviewed. The youthful activity keeps the hopes of several generations alive. Interviewee #2 had a very insightful opinion at such a young age. She didn't agree that the intent of the SOA was to teach people to kill and commit genocide. However, she was able to see the effects that the SOA has on the graduates. She hoped that someday the government would see that the main goal of the SOA was not being achieved and that innocent people were suffering because of tactics taught in the SOA. “I hope that coming here will cause the SOA officials to change their mind and eventually close the SOA.” Anonymous #2 was hoping that a more positive influence could be taught to the soldiers of the Latin American countries.
Conclusion
We have been educated; we have been informed; we have heard first hand about the torment caused by the graduates of the School of the Americas . America is a free, safe land. However, through our influence other countries are facing the wrath of oppression. This will not be tolerated. We have a voice and we will use it. We vow to be peaceful and non-violent, yet we will be active and resistant until the governmentally funding and organization of the School of the Americas is ceased. Too many have suffered at the hands of torturers; too many have been oppressed. We will not stand for such violence. We say a prayer for each and every person influenced by the School of the Americas . Help to open the eyes of the organizers; help to stop the teachings to the “soldiers” that are torturing and killing their own people; and please, help the victims that so many times can do nothing to help themselves.
