Courage in Action
- Just read a report on MSNBC that say shtat Over 10,000 Iranians tried to join Tehran University students in a massive demonstration for political reform. Hundreds were arrested sadly and given the nature of things their future is unknown, but they have shown the world what it means to stand up for freedom. They deserve our thoughts, our prayers, and our support.
- Via email today I received the latest bulletin from SOA Watch, an peace organization committed to the closing of America’s training school of Latin American terrorists and assasins, the WHISC (formerly known as School of the Americas).
ELEVEN PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE RELEASEDToday we all celebrate as 11 of our compatriots are released from prison after serving 3 months for their acts of courage and conviction. They are Abi Miller, Chuck Booker-Hirsch, Kathy Boylan, Jonna Cohen, Sue Daniels, Nancy Gowen, Palmer Legare, Tom Mahedy, Richard Ring, Janice Sevre-Duszynska and Michael Sobol.
It is important to continue the support for those who are still inside. Use the addresses listed beow to write the prisoners of conscience.
On January 27th, 86 human rights defenders are scheduled for trial in Columbus, GA. They risk sentences of up to a year in prison for their nonviolent actions calling for the close of the School of Assassins. Watch www.soaw.org for updates.
The truth cannot be silenced!
Kenneth F. Crowley
#90963-020
FPC Beaumont
P. O. Box 26010
Beaumont, TX 77720
Incarceration date: 09/10/02
Projected release date: 03/10/03Mary Dean
# 90965-020
FPC Greenville
PO Box 6000
Greenville, IL 62246
Incarceration date: 09/10/02
Projected release date: 03/10/03Kathleen Desautels
# 90966-020
FPC Greenville
PO Box 6000
Greenville, IL 62246
Incarceration date: 09/10/02
Projected release date: 03/10/03Toni Flynn
#90960-020
Crisp County Jail
196 South Highway 300
Cordele, GA 31015
Incarceration date: 07/12/02
Projected release date: 01/01/03Kate Fontanazza
# 90967-020
FPC Greenville
100 U.S. Hwy 40, PO Box 4000
Greenville, IL 62246
Incarceration date: 09/10/02
Projected release date: 03/10/03Chantilly Geigle
FPC Dublin
#90968-020
5675 8th St.
Camp Parks
Dublin, CA 94568
Incarceration date: 09/10/02
Projected release date: 03/10/03Peter Gelderloos
# 90688-020
FCI Cumberland
14601 Burbridge Road, SE
Cumberland MD 21502-8771
Incarceration date: 07/12/02
Projected release date: 01/12/02John Heid
#13815-016
FPC Schuylkill
Camp 2B
P.O. Box 670
Minersville, PA 17954–0670
Incarceration date: 09/10/02
Projected release date: 04/10/03Erik Johnson
#90971-020 MB2
FCI Manchester
P.O. Box 3000
Manchester, KY 40962
Incarceration date: 09/10/02
Projected release date: 03/10/03Niklan M. Jones
# 90972-020
PO Box 350
Beaver, WV 25813
Incarceration date: 09/12/02
Projected release date: 03/12/03Rae Kramer
# 91096-020
Danbury FCI
Route 37
Danbury CT 06811
Incarceration date: 09/10/02
Projected release date: 03/10/02Bill O’Donnell
#85713-011
Atwater USP
PO Box 01900
Atwater CA 95301
Incarceration date: 09/10/02
Projected release date: 03/10/03Michaele Pasquale
# 91102-020
Unit A-D
FPC Allenwood
PO Box 1000
Montgomery, PA 17752
Incarceration date: 09/10/02
Projected release date: 03/10/03Louis Vitale
# 25803-048
FPC Nellis CS 4500
North Las Vegas, NV
89036-4500
Incarceration date: 10/02
Projected release date: 01/03Jerry Zawada
# 04995-045
Crisp County Jail
196 South Highway 300
Cordele, GA 31015
Incarceration date: 07/12/02
Projected release date: 01/12/02(John is serving an additional month for an ELF action)
VENEZUELA ACTION ALERT
On April 11, 2002, the official SOA/WHISC propaganda that the school is “promoting democracy, human rights and civilian control of the government” was once again contradicted by the actions of its graduates. SOA graduates attempted to overthrow the democratically elected government of Venezuela and arrested President Hugo Chavez. Massive demonstrations erupted and police forces killed perhaps 40 government supporters. After 48 hours, the coup government collapsed.
What the involvement of SOA graduates already hinted at from the beginning, has now been backed by information from officials at the Organization of American States (OAS) and other diplomatic sources; they assert that the US administration was not only aware that the coup was about to take place but sanctioned it. According to the OAS, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs and SOA/WHISC Board of Visitors member Otto Reich, had “a number of meetings with leaders of the
coup” over several months. The coup was discussed in detail, right down to its timing and chances of success.Now, in December 2003, the political crisis in Venezuela worsens again, and many observers fear that another coup- or an attempt to petition for international intervention to depose the government – may be around the corner.
Please call the Venezuela desk at the State Department and let the administration know that you demand that the US government takes a public stand against unconstitutional and violent means to resolve the current crisis and explain that it will not tolerate a coup government nor have diplomatic or normal commercial relations with any coup-installed government. Please talk to the desk officer Brian Naranjo. Try either or both of these two numbers:
(202) 647-4216
(202) 647-3338.In Solidarity,
SOA Watch Staff
_______________________________________
SOA Watch ~ PO Box 4566 ~ Washington DC 20017 ~ (202)234-3440 ~ www.soaw.org