In a very conservative Congress, 188
Representatives vote to cut funding the School of the Americas/WHINSEC, including 29 Republicans

Last week Congress voted on an amendment to cut funding for WHINSEC/SOA after compelling arguments from Representatives who support the amendment. Although the vote was 218 to 188 against the amendment, it was a strong show of support from a very conservative Congress. Many thanks to all SOA Watch volunteers and their efforts!

Remember that HR 1217–legislation that calls for the closure and investigation of SOA/WHINSEC–is still alive and has 134 cosponsors in the House, including all Democrats from New York. Visit SOA Watch’s Legislative Action page for updates and info on how to help get the bill passed.

The time has finally come! This week, Congress is expected to vote on an amendment that would cut funding for SOA/WHINSEC. Please call your congressperson this week and urge them to vote YES! Visit the national SOA Watch site for sample letters and calls. You can also fax or e-mail your message from the website.

SOAW NYC will hold its monthly meeting at St. Mary’s Church in Manhattan at  7:30 p.m. this Thursday, June 8.
On the agenda: current Amendment vote, possible fundraising events, SOA Watch Prisoners of Conscience, NY regional issues, and the Spanish for Activists camp. Bring your
yourself and your great ideas!

Monthly SOAW NYC Meeting
Thursday, June 8, 7:30 p.m.
St. Mary’s Church
521 W. 126th St,
Manhattan
Subway: 1 to 125th St

As opponents of the SOA, a school of torture in our own backyard, SOA Watch is observing national Torture Awareness Month in June. The Torture Abolition Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC) lists some ways we can take action this month:

• Wear a white ribbon on your lapel during the month of June (especially on June 26, the United Nations International Day in Support of Torture Victims and Survivors) to help raise awareness in your community about torture in today’s world.
• Friday, June 23, National Call-In Day: Our goal is to have every telephone on Capitol Hill ringing out constantly against torture, so please organize your families and friends. Let no phone line be silent!
• Sunday, June 25, International Bell-Ringing: At exactly noon EST, we are inviting people around the globe to sound out against torture. Let your church, city hall, or university bells ring; sound the shofar or the temple gongs and chimes; sing or clap your hands together.