Many of the worst human rights abusers in Latin America were trained at the School of the Americas (SOA/WHINSEC) at Ft. Benning. Travel with us to Georgia as we join thousands of others from across the hemisphere at the annual vigil and rally to close the school.

BACKGROUND:

SOA Watch reports that “Since 1946, the SOA has trained over 64,000 Latin American soldiers in counterinsurgency techniques…. These graduates have consistently used their skills to wage a war against their own people. Among those targeted by SOA graduates are educators, union organizers, religious workers, student leaders, and others who work for the rights of the poor. Hundreds of thousands of Latin Americans have been tortured, raped, assassinated, ‘disappeared,’ massacred, and forced into refugee by those trained at the School of Assassins.” We will continue to raise our voices until the SOA is shut down and the U.S. government has stopped relying on violence to enforce its oppressive foreign policy in Latin America and the Caribbean.

WHY GO?

What people are saying about the trip to Ft. Benning:

“Riding down to Georgia with such a diverse, multi-generational, open-minded, fun group of people empowered me and let me know that I am not alone in my social justice work.” –2010 trip participant, Samantha Przybylski

“It was an amazing eye opening experience. I am going to go with ICPJ again this year.” –2010 trip participant, Marci Lennox

Register today!

LOGISTICS:

The bus will depart Ann Arbor at 5pm on Friday, November 18, and will return early on the morning of Monday, November 21. Scholarships are available, and participants who register by October 17 receive a $35 discount. Learn more about lodging, scheduling, and registration here.

QUESTIONS: Contact Jeff Boyd at  jeff.boyd.account@gmail.com or Grace Helms Kotre at gracek@icpj.net (734.663.1870).