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Alice Reich SOA

No Mas, No More!

The SOA Protest and Ignatian Family Teach-In

Fort Benning, Georgia November 15-18, 2001

The following is a personal account from Alice Reich, Professor of Anthropology

For twelve years, people have been gathering at the main gate of the Fort Benning military base to protest the presence there of the School of Americas, a training program for Latin American forces who have been responsible for countless human rights violations, including brutal civilian deaths. The school recently changed its name to WHISC (an acronym, as one sign carried by a protester suggested, for We're Hiding In Semantic Coverup, or, officially, Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation). This year I joined a group of 22 Regis University students, faculty, staff, and alumni for this important event.

From my journal November 17

The smooth black stone that Eleanor gave me was laid on the pagan altar at Golden Park on Saturday night. A large, diverse circle had gathered for a spiral dance. This day was amazing. First was the Ingatian Family Teach-In inthe Jesuit tent. There were students from most of the colleges and universities, high school students, graduate students and JVC members and alumni. There were some very powerful talks, including student reflections. Fr. John Dear brought down the tent with his impassioned antiwar speech.

Even so, joining the rest of the crowd in the baseball stadium was exhilarating. Wild, crazy, sane, beautiful young people, old people, children, music, impassioned speeches, and energies. Tonight slipping away into the Pagan Spiral Dance before mass (where Dear won us all over once more with his charisma and forceful beliefs).

Yesterday, a breakthrough – a federal judge overturned the city and granted us a permit for the funeral procession. This meant that all of us unwilling to risk arrest could attend what was the most powerful experience of the weekend. We had quite a day on Friday, leaving Regis at 7:00 a.m. and arriving at the hotel in Columbus right about midnight. Bad food, the fraying aspects of large group travel, and finally, blessedly, bed.

We had missed the Friday evening event of the Ingnatian Family teach-in because the Atlanta airport was closed for four hours, due to a security breach. But we arrived Saturday morning, en masse, in our wonderful T-shirts, designed by Gretchen Schaeffer. After the teach-in we walked along the river walk by the Chattahoochee, across which we could see Alabama, to the baseball stadium in Golden Park. We were searched as we entered, and welcomed by high energy crowds. The perimeter of the stadium was filled with vendors and tables of all sorts, promoting their causes, selling T-shirts, bumper stickers, bandanas, Free Trade coffee and the like. I bought a button with an American flag that says "Peace is Patriotic" and a "Close the SOA" bandana to shade me from the sun. We heard Pete Seeger's grandson, Tao Rodriquez-Seeger, and Charlie King, and many others, all of whom invited us to sing with them, which I did with great joy. In her letter of support to me, my friend Margaret Pasquesi advised me "to sing on your journey….Singing frees the soul, it makes potentially scary situations fun, it reminds one of the purpose at hand…. It doesn't matter if you sing the Alphabet song; just sing. Sing and laugh, for you are doing God's work." So sang I did. We watched a woman learn to walk on huge stilts and were delighted to see her, magnificent, in the puppet parade the next day. We returned to the Jesuit Tent for mass and an SOA Watch orientation and logistics session. We heard of the horrors currently being perpetrated by SOA graduates in Columbia; we recited the SOA Watch Nonviolence Pledge.

From my journal November 18

The rose quartz heart that Eileen gave me is at the fence at Fort Benning, among the crosses, rosaries, flowers, stoles, and other offerings made in the names of the dead. I carried a cross with Ita Ford's name. I cried out "presente" countless times until I was altogether incapacitated by tears. Our group gathered early this morning after a funny mish-mash of breakfasts, composed of groceries from the Piggly Wiggly and food at Burger King in the Maingate Mall, whence we walked to the Main Gate to join the group of what was estimated at 6000. Again, music, speeches, letters of support from Martin Sheen and Susan Sarandon. We recited the SOA Watch Nonviolence Pledge, the statement of purpose, and were commissioned as a funeral procession. And then the names, and the names, and the names. There was the slow movement forward, back, forward, glacial, it seemed, and then suddenly we were a row moving past the stage, towards the fence, placing our offerings, looking at the die-in andon our way out and part of the spectacle all too rapidly.

It is not possible to describe the power of the funeral procession. For three hours, the names of victims are sung out, respectfully, beautifully, with their ages and, sometimes, their occupations: Facundo Luna, manual laborer, 28 years old. Child, name unknown, eight months old. People in their eighties, and nineties. American church women, citizens of El Mozote, the Jesuits and their housekeeper and her daughter in San Salvador, Oscar Romero. On and on and on. I determined to hear each name fully, as spoken by the mother or father who gave the child that name, and realized that most of these people had been murdered in less time than the brief time we were giving each of their names.

The fence was stunning with all of its offerings, full already by the time that we, close to the front, got there. In front of it were demonstrators, sitting silently with crosses, as if on the hills of Salvador, and others dressed in black, lying on the ground, with white faces, coffins, and blood.

After the procession we established a Regis home base on the front lawn of a genuinely kind woman who, unlike some of the other homeowners on the properties leading into the base, did not claim private property and threaten to call the police. Other neighbors began selling water, snacks, freshly cooked hamburgers, etc. Some of our group went back to the fence to watch the more direct actions, arrests inside the base and so forth. The puppet procession began in the early afternoon, with our woman on stilts leading an extremely impressive dragon, designed to be thrown over the fence onto the base. Behind that group were large face puppets, one of which, representing the native people of Georgia, enthralled me with its eyes. The message, which I could finally not escape: I have all of the understanding and forgiveness of the dead; but you must understand, and keep teaching about, what happened.

At the end of this emotionally exhausting day we went out for Chinese food. The young members of the group went to a park and played; we older ones had a bit of a seminar on the meaning of it all.

I thank from the bottom of my heart all of you who sent support for this important journey, and ask you to keep remembering, and teaching about, peace and love in this world.

Alice Reich

Further details, including photos, on the SOA and the November action can be found at the SOA Watch Website: www.soaw.org

The Justice Education Program is a commitment to integrate social justice education and issues into curriculum and into the fabric of the university. The program is an effort to make the work of justice visible at Regis University. Internally, this includes issues of diversity, just wages, and property management. It also includes faculty and staff awareness of social justice issues within the Regis community as well as opportunities for students to explore justice and peace issues in the classroom and the community. Externally, the program includes bringing justice and peace issues to the university and representing Regis in the broader Denver community. Justice Education is evident in all three schools of the university. Each school has a service learning program that is intimately connected with a commitment to exploring social justice issues through service experience. Across the university faculty are offering courses that bring justice themes and case studies into the curriculum. Regis weaves together the commitment to justice, diversity and service. Peace and Justice Studies Regis College offers a minor in Peace and Justice Studies Catholic Social Tradition Catholic social tradition is a response to social, economic and political issues within the United States and internationally. Catholic social teaching is rooted in the Christian scriptures and developed primarily through written documents produced by the Popes and Bishops since the late 1800s. Regis University offers undergraduate courses in Catholic social thought in both the School for Professional Studies and the College. Peace and Justice Activities School of the Americas Watch SOA Watch Nonviolence Pledge We ask that you and your affinity group reflect upon and respect these commitments during your SOA vigil action: Our goal is to expose and close the US Army's School of the Americas. We will act with full respect for our Latin American sisters and brothers, both living and dead. We will use our anger at injustice as a nonviolent force for change. We will act with full respect for the diverse nonviolent tradition that SOA Watch embodies. Accordingly, at today's Vigil Action: We will carry no weapons We will not vandalize We will not use or carry alcohol or illegal drugs We will not swear or use insulting language We will not run in public or otherwise make threatening motions We will not assault—either verbally or physically—those who oppose or disagree with us, even if they assault us. We will protect those who oppose us from insult or attack We will honor the emergency decisions of the empowered coordinators and spokes-council representatives Our attitude as conveyed through words, symbols and actions will be one of respect toward all—including police officers, military personnel, members of the larger community, and all vigilers and members of the SOA Watch family If prosecuted, we will use the judicial process to continue our resistance When possible, we will put the SOA itself on trial We know this Vigil is part of an ongoing, protracted campaign. We will return to our community and renew our work to close the SOA. [Further details, including photos, on the SOA and the November action can be found at the SOA Watch Website: soaw.org

Byron Plumley SOA

An Inspiring Journey A Brief Report by Byron Plumley The School of the Americas at Ft Benning in Columbus, Georgia, is a U.S. Army training facility for Latin American officers. The stated mission of the school is to make Latin American armies more professional and strengthen democracies while promoting stability in the region. In 1996 a training manual revealed courses including combat and counterinsurgency skills, psychological operations, human rights, techniques of torture, and sniper fire training. The results of this military training have led to human rights abuses and terrorism throughout Latin American countries by graduates of the SOA. When the school moved from Panama in 1984 to Fr. Benning it was nicknamed by the Panamanian press, "The School of Assassins." In November 1989 six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter were brutally murdered at the University of Central America. Of 26 soldiers charged with the murders 19 were trained at the SOA. In 1990, Fr. Roy Bourgeois, MM, Fr. Jim Barnett, OP. and a few others held a protest and fast at the gates of Ft. Benning. This led to the formation of the SOA Watch as a source for public information about the school. The protest grew each year and several bills were sponsored in the House of Representatives calling for the closure of the SOA. In 2000 the pentagon proposed that the base be closed and reopened under the name Western Hemispheric Institute for Security Cooperation (WHISC). Congress complied and the SOA continues with this new name. There has been very little change in the curriculum or mission of the school. Preparation for the 2001 Demonstration Three years ago "The Companions" (Bob Holstein and a group of former Jesuits in California) began the Ignatian Family Teach-In to coincide with the annual November protest at Ft. Benning. In 2000, 800 students from all 28 Jesuit schools across the country came to the teach-in and demonstration. With the September 11th attacks on the U.S. and the subsequent "war on terrorism" there was serious consideration given to whether the SOA protest should be held this year. Jesuit school presidents expressed concern for the safety of students during the protest due to possible counter demonstrations.

Across the country the word came in to SOA Watch to continue the protest and demonstration as a very important way to call attention to U.S. sponsored terrorist training right in our own country. At least twenty of the Jesuit schools sent students this year.

At Regis we spent several weeks in reflection, and discussion about whether and in what way we might participate. We visited with Fr. Sheeran, shared his concerns, considered the options and ultimately decided to go to Ft. Benning. A 22 member Regis delegation went to the SOA protest and Ignatian Family Teach-In. About half of the delegation was prepared to participate in civil disobedience if faced with that decision during the demonstration. This was a serious process of discernment for the entire group. We had participated in nonviolence training before we left. We understood the meaning of being an affinity group and had established a support process for those who would risk arrest. We enjoyed support from friends and family and especially from University Ministry and Fr. Sheeran. I was very proud that Regis had decided to continue the annual pilgrimage to Georgia to be a voice for the voiceless in calling for the closure of the School of the Americas.

The Ignatian Family Teach-in

There were many inspiring comments during the teach-in. On Saturday, November 17, Fr. Charlie Currie,SJ, president of the AJCU opened the teach-in by saying "the best are still here...we are the long distance runners." In the wake of 9/11 we have a new sense of vulnerability and a new solidarity with two billion people who live this vulnerability daily.

Tony Vento of Pax Christi spoke of guns, greed and globalization. He said, "what is at risk is our soul." As we touch idols of power and privilege we must challenge the economic system. Sabbath economics would tell us there is enough resources for everyone if the wealthy don't take too much. He gave a critical expose of how the language of faith has been appropriated by corporations. We must speak out so we don't forget what God is asking of us. I was reminded of the response of Eugene Debs, socialist labor activist, when asked why he protested so vigorously when he wasn't really changing the system. Debs said, I may not change the system but I must speak out so the system won't change me.

One of the speakers referred to the Jesuit motto, "Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam" (for the greater glory of God) in saying that the glory of God won't tolerate the SOA.

Steve Privett, SJ, president of San Francisco University spoke about being at ground zero in New York a few weeks ago. He saw so many signs of hope and no signs of revenge. He saw what was best in American character. In our effort to end terrorism he said that the real targets are poverty and disrespect for human life. Only when we address them can we end terrorism. As Jesuit institutions we must combine passion and rigor. The solution is not more violence. As Rabbi Michael Learner, editor of Tikkun magazine, has said, the inability to feel the pain of others is what shapes the mind of a terrorist. We must keep our humanity.

Joe Doust, SJ, from the Jesuit Graduate School of Theology at Berkeley asked the question, "what do our schools stand for?" The UCA stood for something (and the Jesuits, their housekeeper and her daughter paid with their lives); the Taliban schools stood for something; the SOA stands for something. What is this Jesuit education about? Fr. Aruppe, SJ said the main educational objective of Jesuit schools was to prepare men and women in the service of others. Solidarity calls us to stand up in a world not interested in justice. Jesuit education has a meaningful mission and calls us to stand with the poor. We must act with love. Fr. Doust said, "we must love the SOA enough to persuade them to draw back from the ‘al-Qaeda precipice' where they are headed."

From Rockhurst College, Mark Sieger reminded us of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that a silent revolution of values must challenge the "triplets" of materialism, militarism and racism.

Brad Schaefer, SJ, chair of the 10 Jesuit provincials quoted Sr. Joan Chittister in saying that religious life is not about survival but prophesy, as he explored Ignatian Spirituality and nonviolence. He used the First Principle and Foundation from the spiritual exercises to illustrate that in the service of God we each play our own role in the Pascal Mystery (of Christ). We cannot be people of violence. The U.S. action in Afghanistan is creating more suffering in the Paschal Mystery.

Student women and men offered a variety of insights during the teach-in. We were challenged to learn the language of peace. Some told stories of their experience with nonviolence. Some told of the integration of justice into the curriculum at their schools. We were urged to follow the call of Fr. Kolvenbach to become "whole persons." The student JUSTICE organization was represented and students were encouraged to participate. Students critiqued globalization and free markets. They reminded us that the "American Century" was also the most violent in recorded history. We were told in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., that the world is interrelated and we must all speak against injustice. "God bless America, God bless the world."

John Dear, SJ, spoke at the teach-in and was also the homilist at the Mass on Saturday night. During the teach-in he told of his experience at the University of Central America in 1985. The purpose of the UCA in El Salvador was to promote the reign of God. We can no longer be for the reign of God unless we stand against the anti-reign, against war and poverty. We must resist evil through non-cooperation with the system of violence. Jesus tells us to put down the sword. The violence must stop with each of us. We must stop the war today. State terrorism leads to terror. War is not the will of God. There is no such thing as a "just war." He offered eight points that can help in resisting war: 1) Take public action. Do one thing well, with love. 2) "Don't just do something, stand there" be thoughtful in this lifelong commitment. 3) Practice nonviolence. 4) Join a peace group like the Fellowship of Reconciliation or Pax Christi. 5) Stay with the poor, they are our teachers. 6) Pray and allow quiet time with God. 7) Maintain an image of God that is unconditional love, not a God of war. 8) Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Saturday Afternoon Rally

We spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon in the Golden Park baseball stadium. Security was high as we were surrounded by police and security from various jurisdictions. I visited with several officers who were having a mellow afternoon monitoring this crowd of nonviolent activists. The speeches and music were filled with energy and commitment to create a better world. There were folks dancing and singing as well as sitting in the shade behind home plate. The rally offered a comprehensive social justice fair as organizations representing a wide variety of issues displayed their information and sold items for their cause. I bought a video from the Veterans for Peace that explores the untold lessons of Vietnam.

Saturday Night Mass

The Saturday night Mass was standing room only with approximately 900 people in attendance. Again, John Dear, SJ. sparked the community with his stories from the heart. His homily told about a plowshares nonviolent direct action with Phil Berrigan and others. Over and over the message was a call to participation in the reign of God through nonviolent action. The response was overwhelming enthusiasm. Fr. Dear's comments inspired my own commitment and belief in the power of love to overcome violence and transform the world.

In attendance at the Mass was Fr. Jim Barnett, OP. In the late 70s Jim was at St. Dominic's Church in Denver. In the 80s, he was in El Salvador during the war and also in Honduras. He was with Fr. Roy Bourgeois at the first SOA protest. In recent years he has battled cancer and now lives in an ashram in Wisconsin. I was so grateful to see him at the celebration as one of the long distance runners for justice. Presente!

Planning for Sunday's Demonstration

On Saturday night the SOA Watch organizers explained the events of the past 24 hours. The city of Columbus tried to stop the protest and funeral procession on Friday, November 16^th by asking for an injunction against SOA Watch. Judge Faircloth, who has sentenced many protesters to maximum prison sentences in recent years, ruled that the city was treading on the First Amendment right of free speech guaranteed in the US Constitution. The judge said that the SOA Watch had established a pattern of nonviolent behavior for eleven years. The streets belong to the public and citizens have the right of peaceful assembly and dissent. He ruled that the demonstration could go ahead as planned and that the SOA Watch could have the four blocks from Victoria Blvd to the gates of Ft. Benning. What a great victory for nonviolent direct action and public witness. This ruling also allowed everyone to participate in the funeral procession without fear of arrest. At the end of the orientation we all recited the SOA Watch Pledge of Nonviolence. (See this pledge on the Regis SOA website.)

The Funeral Procession and Demonstration

Sunday morning began with preparation for the demonstration as 7,500 people gathered in the street leading to the front gate at Ft. Benning. It was an awesome sight with people of all ages, races, and beliefs lined up to form the solemn procession to the gate. The Army had constructed an eight-foot chain link fence across the entrance to the base extending 500 feet on either side. As the funeral march began the names of the dead were chanted. It was an eerie sacred chant that called the name of the person, sometimes their station in life and their age. How tragic it was to hear "Antonio Ramirez, child, two years old." or, "Elena Avelar, grandmother, 83 years old." With each name the marchers responded, "presente!" These people were truly alive in the commitment of the demonstrators to end the violence. There was passion in the chant and the response. Sadly, there was no shortage of names as the procession walked row by row toward the main gate of the School of Assassins.

The fence barrier became a memorial as hundreds of mourners placed crosses with the names of victims of SOA violence on the fence. There were pictures of those martyred at the hands of military groups throughout Central and South America. The memorial grew and grew as thousands of demonstrators placed expressions of their faith and love on the security fence. A friend in Denver had given me a red stole to place on the fence. The names of martyrs, Elba and Celina Ramos, and Fr. Rutilio Grande were on the stole.

Personal Inspiration for the Long Haul

The violence of September 11^th terrorism and the following war has made this fall a painful and challenging time for peace activists across the country. As a spiritually-rooted nonviolent social activist I seriously needed to be in a gathering of people deeply committed to nonviolence. Personally, it was healing and inspiring to be in the midst of people who understood that we are all one people on this planet and that our lives are intimately intertwined. I needed to hear that the power of love will overcome violence. My commitment to nonviolence was confirmed and supported by the community of those who had come from across the United States to give witness at the SOA.

My sense of inspiration was increased by our outstanding Regis delegation. I was proud to be in solidarity with every one of our members. Katy Seitz deserves tremendous thanks as she worked so hard to organize this trip for all of us. Alice Reich was a profound inspiration as she raised money to support the group, offered reflections on justice and cared for each one of us. Our illustrious alums, Mike McManus, Bret Kramer and Lori Kramer, were an asset as they shared their wisdom and experience with the delegation. The Regis students were serious in their purpose and resolve to stand against the injustice of the SOA. I was excited as these young women and men expressed their depth of reflection and their commitment to participate in political protest. For many, this was their first experience with public demonstration as an expression in our democratic process. I hope the experience will carry them forward in their active role as global citizens. Thanks to each of these nonviolent activists: Laura Coddington, Andrew Drummond, Timothy Harden, Min Young Kim, Kris Kumangai, Daniela Magozzi, Sarah Martin, Kate McGuire, Dan Miller, Kevin Raleigh, Gretchen Schaefer, Mike Schloss, Carol Taylor-Burds, Eric Tews, Kathryn Treit and Ben Yester.

At Regis, Kathy Schaefer and Eileen O'Brien gave untold hours to help us be present at Ft. Benning. I am grateful to many in the Regis community who held us in the light and prayer during the journey. I felt the love. Finally, we pray this protest won't be necessary next year.

Further details, including photos, on the SOA and the November action can be found at the SOA Watch Website: www.soaw.org

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