This is the latest update from SOA Watch. The vote to defund the School of the Americas has been postponed until today. More calls to close the school are needed today!

School of the Americas Watch
http://www.SOAW.org | 202-234-3440
June 21, 2007
SOA/WHINSEC Vote Update

SOA Watch has received NEW information, that WHINSEC has a secret weapon and that the Pentagon's public relations campaign has won some influence with the Representatives who have already told you they will vote YES.

Yesterday was a busy day in Congress and they were not able to finish the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, so we have bought more time to counteract the Pentagon campaign and persuade Congress to vote YES to cut funding for the SOA/ WHINSEC.

Beginning at 10:00am on Thursday, June 21, the amendments to the Foreign Operations Appropriations for fiscal year 2008 will be debated, including the McGovern - Lewis (GA) amendment to prohibit funding for the SOA/ WHINSEC.

Due to this new information, you MUST make your calls again. We need YOU to keep up the pressure on Congress by making telephone calls and sending emails and faxes now, even if you have already made calls. It's very important that you continue to contact congress today to let members know that they have constituents who support human rights and the closing of the SOA/WHINSEC.

Call Congress Now at 202-224-3121!

Please take a few minutes today to call the DC office of your Representative through the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Ask to speak with the foreign affairs legislative assistant.
Here is a NEW suggested message for you to convey when calling your Representative:

"I am calling Representative________ to urge him/her to vote YES on the McGovern amendment to the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. This amendment prohibits funding for the School of the Americas/ WHINSEC. New information indicates that WHINSEC has allowed known human rights abusers to instruct and receive training at the school. The governments of Costa Rica, Argentina and Uruguay have made public announcements they will no longer send students to the school, citing the negative image and history of this institution. Voting YES on this amendment sends a positive human rights message to Latin America and will help to improve the U.S. image abroad. As an elected official in Washington D.C., I hope you will represent me and vote YES on any amendment in the House that would cut funding for the school."

The volume of calls you are making may be overloading the House Switchboard number so if you cannot get through, please call their office directly. You can look up their phone number by accessing the Clerk of the House phone directory and note that all phone numbers have a "202" area code.

For more information, visit the SOA Watch website, http://www.SOAW.org, and the Legislative Action Index.