Good news from the SOA Watch Attorneys: SOA prisoner of conscience Ed Lewinson has been released from the “hole” and is now part of the general population at FCI Elkton. And the attorneys report he is happy to be there. Thanks to all who wrote to the warden.

Send Ed a note of support in prison: Dr. Edwin Lewinson/Prisoner #92126-020/FCI Elkton/PO Box 10/Lisbon, OH 44432

In May, HR 1707, the Latin America Military Training Review Act, which calls for the closure and invesigation of the SOA, goes before Congress for a vote. The legislation has bipartisan support, but only half of New York’s Congresspeople are among the bill’s 122 cosponsors (see below).

Reps. Eliot Engel, Carolyn McCarthy, Gregory Meeks, and Edolphus Towns-–all Democratic Congresspeople from Long Island and NYC-–have not signed up to cosponsor this bill but voted for a similar bill last year. Charles Rangel did not vote.

Visit SOAW’s Legislative Action Index page for ideas on how to get this bill moving, and check out New York legislators’ previous votes on this issue. Last year, 22 of New York State’s 29 representatives in Congress voted for a similar bill to shut down the SOA. The bill lost by just 11 votes (214 to 203).

Many thanks to the following representatives for cosponsoring HR 1707:

• Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [D-5]
• Rep Bishop, Timothy [D-1]
• Rep Clark, Yvette [D-11]
• Rep Crowley, Joseph [D-7]
• Rep Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-20]
• Rep Higgins, Brian [D-27]
• Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-22]
• Rep Israel, Steve [D-2]
• Rep Lowey, Nita [D-18]
• Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-14]
• Rep McNulty, Michael R. [D-21]
• Rep Nadler, Jerrold [D-8]
• Rep Serrano, Jose E. [D-16]
• Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [D-28]
• Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-12]
• Rep Walsh, James T. [R-25]
• Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [D-9]

Join SOA Watch Long Island in a demonstration in front of Rep. Peter King’s office, to ask him to cosponsor and support HR 1707, the bill to shut down and investigate the School of the Americas.

The protest is part of a nationwide mobilization from April 23 to 25, when SOA Watch members will lobby their congresspeople to gain support for the bill. SOA Watch has also called for a nationwide fast to shut down the SOA during that week.

Long Island SOA Watch and other organizations have been asking Rep. King for years to support similar legislation. King is the only congressman from Long Island who votes to keep the SOA open.

When: Thursday, April 24, 5-6:30pm
Where: 1003 Park Blvd., Massapequa Park (1 block north of the LIRR station)

Ed Lewinson is about 20 days into a 90-day sentence for his peaceful protest of the School of the Americas. At 78, he is the oldest of the SOA 11. He was sent to a prison in Ohio, far from his New Jersey home, and in a letter he just sent to his supporters, written by a cell mate, he said he has been placed in solitary confinement:

“Because I am blind, I have been placed in the disciplinary housing - the hole. Although there are 2 or 3 people per cell, we are locked in 23 hours per day, and 24 on weekends. The other hour we are allowed to walk around a 15 x 20 foot cage for recreation….

“We are allowed one phone call every 30 days, and I must be here 30 days before I can make my first (call). I have tried to change this, but so far, no such luck. Although, I have a very kind cell mate, who has been very helpful.

“Needless to say, the time goes slowly and I’ll be glad when its over. Although 90 days is a really short time to spend in prison, relatively speaking. Cordially, Ed”

Call your representative and urge them to contact the Bureau of Prisons to demand that Ed Lewinson be moved closer to home and given appropriate accommodations.

If you’d like to send a note of support:
Dr. Edwin Lewinson
Prisoner #92126-020
FCI Elkton
PO Box 10
Lisbon, OH 44432