Friends,

Help shut down the School of the Americas and take a stand against Plan Colombia! The House of Representatives is set to vote TODAY on both of these controversial issues. Make your voice heard!

PLAN COLOMBIA
In Representative Jim McGovern’s proposed amendment to the annual foreign operations appropriations bill, $30 million would be removed from the $802 million currently allocated to the so-called “war on drugs” in Colombia. This would mean less funding of Colombian military operations and toxic aerial fumigation of coca fields. The bill would reallocate funds towards humanitarian aid to refugees around the world.

SOA
McGovern has also introduced an amendment to the foreign operations bill that would cut funding to the School of the Americas, the military training facility in Fort Benning, GA that trains Latin American security forces and has advocated the use of torture, extortion, and execution.

ACT NOW
Call your Congressional representative now to show your support for the McGovern amendments. You can reach your rep via the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Ask to speak with the foreign policy aide.

Both of these amendments have a chance at passing, and many representatives are up for grabs. So, every call makes a difference! Take a stand for peace and justice and tell Congress to put an end to years of oppressive policy towards Latin America!

For more information and some helpful talking points, check out these sites:

• Colombia: www.lawg.org/countries/colombia/fy07action.htm
• SOA: www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=1314

Send us an email to let us know the response you get. Thanks!

In solidarity,
Erik, Katie, and Rachel