The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) was formerly known as the U.S. Army School of the Americas, is a U.S. Army training school for soldiers and police forces from Latin America located at. Ft. Benning in south-central Georgia. During the 1980's and 1990's many Latin Americans many graduates of the SOA were found to be connected to the torture and assassinations of thousands of Latin American people. These included Archbishop Oscar Romero, six Jesuit priests in El Salvador, their housekeeper and her daughter and even four U.S. churchwomen.
In 2001, the school's name was changed to the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation by an act of the U.S. Congress. The SOAWatch movement which began in 1990 after the deaths of the Jesuits continues to be critical of the School and its teachings. SOAWatch along with numerous human rights and advocacy groups focused on Latin America continue to call for the school's closing and changes in U.S. policy that will show a respect for the human rights of Latin Americans, especially the poor.
Each year, over 15,000 people gather at the gates of Ft. Benning to call for the school's close and a change in U.S. policy. The John Carroll University group will travel to Ft. Benning for 8th year in a row to be part of the protest, vigil and the Ignatian Family Teach-In (a chance to interact with students from Jesuit institutions across the country which includes a community Catholic liturgy in the evening). The group will depart on the evening of Friday, November 20 and return early on the morning of Monday, November 23. Students, faculty, staff or alumni interested in attending should click here or contact Chris Kerr in Campus Ministry. |
