On November 12, many gathered at the Feathered Serpent Gallery in St. Petersburg, Florida for a fundraiser and Silent Auction in support of the School of Americas Watch.
The School of Americas, now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, is a combat training school where Latin American countries send soldiers and police to learn US war tactics. The SOA/WHINSEC teaches torture methods to these soldiers and police, which they then use on their own civilians.
The SOA Watch is a grassroots movement that aims to close the SOA/WHINSEC, reveal the truth, and demand accountability of US intervention in Latin America. The organization started with 13 people marching to the gates to denounce the SOA, which eventually grew into a large and diverse movement that is rooted in solidarity with the people of Latin America. Every year they hold a Vigil at Fort Bennings where they converge at the gates of the School of America.
“The most important thing is the statement,” said Mauricio Vasquez, who spoke at the fundraiser.
All of the art and items at the silent auction were donated, some of them were from the artists themselves. The proceeds from the fundraiser went to bringing four young community leaders fro Guatamala, Columbia, El Salvador, and Nicaragua to the Annual Vigil that will be taking place next weekend.
“[They are going to] speak to the group on Saturday and Sunday and share their own personal experiences” says Dwight Loughton.
Activism in Latin America is dangerous and can be life threatening, so it’s important to get these leaders over to share their experiences of the effects of imperialism and the SOA/WHINSEC.
For more information on the SOA Watch and what you can do to help, visit their website at soaw.org
