SOA Watch Days of Action Kick-Off Event

April 1, 2011 - Washington, D.C. - SOA Watch and the Washington Peace Center teamed up to launch the April Days of Action, a week of grassroots events to close the School Of the Americas (SOA, a.k.a. WHINSEC). Musicians performed at Ras to raise funds for the Washington Peace Center and spread awareness about the School Of the Americas. This three-man band represents "a blend of musical traditions such as cumbia, salsa, and traditional Andean music. From three different countries in Latin America, the three make their music with instruments such as the homemade cajónes, the charango, and Andean pan pipes. Theirs is a hand-crafted, lively sound that will make your feet move." Ras is a relatively new venue, and every Friday they host fundraisers for social justice causes.

poster near Meridian Hill Park

buttons for sale!

SOA Watch representative making a speech

crowd

band

DJ setting up to play after the band

Institutions like Guantanamo Bay, Abu Grahib, and the School Of the Americas are an embarrassment to U.S. policies and values. By sanctioning torture, summary execution and other human rights violations, these military bases have subverted the principles of democracy which the American government and military purportedly defend. Until these institutions are radically reformed to promote peace and justice, they should be closed and defunded. U.S. tax dollars spent on militarizing Latin America only threaten our national security. Rather than spending millions on failing wars, let's create educational programs aimed at tackling the most pressing global challenges, such as hunger, poverty, wellness and sustainability.

Take action here!