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¡Presente!, the newspaper of the movement to close the School of the Americas (formerly known as the SOA Watch Update), is published three times a year and sent to 46,982 subscribers. ![]() The School of the Americas (renamed to Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation) is a U.S. military training school for Latin American soldiers. Its graduates are consistently involved in the most heinous human rights abuses throughout the Americas. Since the truth about the school became known and the Pentagon was forced to release torture manuals that were used at the school, a human rights movement emerged to call for the closure of the SOA/WHINSEC. We are engaged in nonviolent direct action, media and legislative work and popular education. The newspaper is intended to be a tool for the movement. Its purpose is to give updates about the state of the campaign, to provide information and analysis about events and developments in the Americas and to get more people involved in the work to change oppressive U.S. foreign policy and to end the racist system of violence and domination. Many thanks to all the authors and artists who have put their skills in the service of the movement and contributed to ¡Presente! and to Thorsten Witt who helped a great deal to create this webpage. ¡Presente! literally means "here" or "present" in Spanish. There is a long tradition in Latin American movements for justice of invoking the memory of those who have lost their lives in the struggle. It is used in the ritual at the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia, when we remember those who suffered and were martyred by the graduates of the School of the Americas. We pronounce their names and bring their spirits and witness before us as we respond: ¡Presente! You are here with us, you are not forgotten, and we continue the struggle in your name. Contact UsThe movement to close the SOA is a community, and all ideas are welcome. We appreciate any feedback you might have -- positive or negative. You can call us at 202-234-3440 or email us at info@soaw.org with any questions or concerns. Our mailing address is: SOA Watch, PO Box 4566, Washington, DC 20017 |
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