Remember to pray the Novena for Faithful Citizenship.Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Close the SOA
From the SOAW web site (www.soaw.org):
SOA Watch is a nonviolent grassroots movement that works through creative protest and resistance, legislative and media work to stand in solidarity with the people of Latin America, to close the SOA/WHINSEC and to change oppressive U.S. foreign policy that institutions like the SOA represent. We are grateful to our sisters and brothers throughout Latin America and the the Caribbean for their inspiration and the invitation to join them in their struggle for economic and social justice.
For more information, go to the web site listed above.
SOA Watch is a nonviolent grassroots movement that works through creative protest and resistance, legislative and media work to stand in solidarity with the people of Latin America, to close the SOA/WHINSEC and to change oppressive U.S. foreign policy that institutions like the SOA represent. We are grateful to our sisters and brothers throughout Latin America and the the Caribbean for their inspiration and the invitation to join them in their struggle for economic and social justice.
For more information, go to the web site listed above.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Troy Anthony Davis
The State of Georgia has issued a death warrant for Troy Davis. The warrant is dated October 27, 2008. While the date of the execution itself has not been confirmed, the warrant is only "good" for one week and typically the execution is set for the first date of the warrant. Feel free to visit this link for more information, further updates, and additional details on prayer and suggested action steps.
Stand Up Against Poverty (Second Reminder)
October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Stand in solidarity with those who continue to face poverty with hope and supportof the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Last year over 43 million people Stood Up to demand that world leaders keep their promise to end poverty and inequality. Join the global movement of people who refuse to stay seated in the face of increasing inequality and broken promises.
From October 17-19, 2008, we are asked to STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY and FOR THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS. See the STAND UP website for more information.
From October 17-19, 2008, we are asked to STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY and FOR THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS. See the STAND UP website for more information.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
U.S. Supreme Court Decision Regarding Troy Davis
Today the United States Supreme Court announced that it would not hear the matter of Troy Davis, paving the way for the State of Georgia to proceed in its intent to to request a death warrant to execute Troy Anthony Davis despite significant new evidence that Davis may, in fact, be innocent.
As summarized at AlterNet.org, “ Davis was convicted in 1991 of killing Savannah police officer Mark Allen MacPhail. Authorities failed to produce a murder weapon or any physical evidence tying Davis to the crime. In addition, seven of the nine original state witnesses have since recanted or changed their initial testimonies in sworn affidavits. One of the remaining witnesses is alleged to be the actual perpetrator.”
AlterNet reporter Liliana Segura reports that, “The Supreme Court's decision this morning -- in which the judges refused to consider whether executing a potentially innocent person violates the 8th Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment -- could mean that Davis will be executed as soon as two weeks from now. He is out of legal avenues, and the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles has denied clemency. There is no execution date scheduled yet; the Georgia DA must seek a new death warrant first.”
Additional information on this case including information on how to take part in communication efforts to get the State of Georgia to drop its petition for a death warrant in this case is available here and here .
As summarized at AlterNet.org, “ Davis was convicted in 1991 of killing Savannah police officer Mark Allen MacPhail. Authorities failed to produce a murder weapon or any physical evidence tying Davis to the crime. In addition, seven of the nine original state witnesses have since recanted or changed their initial testimonies in sworn affidavits. One of the remaining witnesses is alleged to be the actual perpetrator.”
AlterNet reporter Liliana Segura reports that, “The Supreme Court's decision this morning -- in which the judges refused to consider whether executing a potentially innocent person violates the 8th Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment -- could mean that Davis will be executed as soon as two weeks from now. He is out of legal avenues, and the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles has denied clemency. There is no execution date scheduled yet; the Georgia DA must seek a new death warrant first.”
Additional information on this case including information on how to take part in communication efforts to get the State of Georgia to drop its petition for a death warrant in this case is available here and here .
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Close the SOA
From the SOAW web site (http://www.soaw.org/):
In an attempt to deflect public criticism and disassociate the school from its dubious reputation, the SOA was renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) in 2001. The name change was a result of a Department of Defense proposal included in the Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal 2001, at a time when SOA opponents were poised to win a congressional vote on legislation that would have dismantled the school. The name-change measure passed when the House of Representatives defeated a bi-partisan amendment to close the SOA and conduct a congressional investigation by a narrow ten-vote margin. (See Talking Points, Critique of New School, Vote Roll Call.)
In a media interview, Georgia Senator and SOA supporter the late Paul Coverdell characterized the DOD proposal as a "cosmetic" change that would ensure that the SOA could continue its mission and operation. Critics of the SOA concur.
In an attempt to deflect public criticism and disassociate the school from its dubious reputation, the SOA was renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) in 2001. The name change was a result of a Department of Defense proposal included in the Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal 2001, at a time when SOA opponents were poised to win a congressional vote on legislation that would have dismantled the school. The name-change measure passed when the House of Representatives defeated a bi-partisan amendment to close the SOA and conduct a congressional investigation by a narrow ten-vote margin. (See Talking Points, Critique of New School, Vote Roll Call.)
In a media interview, Georgia Senator and SOA supporter the late Paul Coverdell characterized the DOD proposal as a "cosmetic" change that would ensure that the SOA could continue its mission and operation. Critics of the SOA concur.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Take Action Against Poverty
Thanks to Sister Joseph for the following:
October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Stand in solidarity with those who continue to face poverty with hope and supportof the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Last year over 43 million people Stood Up to demand that world leaders keep their promise to end poverty and inequality. Join the global movement of people who refuse to stay seated in the face of increasing inequality and broken promises.
From October 17-19, 2008, we are asked to STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY and FOR THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS. See the STAND UP website for more information.
October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Stand in solidarity with those who continue to face poverty with hope and supportof the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Last year over 43 million people Stood Up to demand that world leaders keep their promise to end poverty and inequality. Join the global movement of people who refuse to stay seated in the face of increasing inequality and broken promises.
From October 17-19, 2008, we are asked to STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY and FOR THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS. See the STAND UP website for more information.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
NRCAT and CVT Organize Event on Torture in Dayton, OH
The National Religious Campaign Against Torture works closely with Evangelicals for Human Rights and the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) in a Campaign to Ban Torture. CVT has organized an event on torture at the Universityof Dayton on October 13 from 7-9 p.m. in the Kennedy Union Ballroom. One of the featured speakers is Archbishop Pilarczyk. For further information visit www.campaigntobantorture.org
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
A Partial Update on Troy Davis
As noted earlier today, the Court has not ruled yet on the Troy Davis motion; however, here is an article on the case that appeared in today's edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Our prayers continue.
Troy Anthony Davis
Although your blog author is sequestered in retreat, she asks you to please stay aware of the Troy Davis situation in Georgia. According to the web site, the Supreme Court's decision was delayed by the Jewish holidays and could be made today. Remember Troy in your prayers.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Catholics United Issues Pro-Life Flyer
Catholics United, the media arm of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, has developed a flyer titled "Pro-Life Means Action on Behalf of All Human Life" just in time for October 5, Pro-Life Sunday, but relevant beyond Sunday in light ofthe November elections. Some groups are bombarding Catholics and others with the message that all that matters in this election is a candidate's stated position on the legality of abortion. To help inform Catholics about the fullness of our Church's teaching on life, Catholics United has developed this flyer and encourages dissemination. C.U. also issues a caution that before distributing the flyer on any Church property, have the permission of the pastor. For more information, go to the Catholics United web site.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Close the SOA
Once a week from now until the annual vigil to close the School of the Americas/WHINSEC, this blog will bring you bits of information about the SOA.
From the SOAW web site (http://www.soaw.org):
About the School of the Americas / Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation
The US Army School of Americas (SOA), based in Fort Benning, Georgia, trains Latin American security personnel in combat, counter-insurgency, and counter-narcotics. SOA graduates are responsible for some of the worst human rights abuses in Latin America. In 1996 the Pentagon was forced to release training manuals used at the school that advocated torture, extortion and execution. Among the SOA's nearly 60,000 graduates are notorious dictators Manuel Noriega and Omar Torrijos of Panama, Leopoldo Galtieri and Roberto Viola of Argentina, Juan Velasco Alvarado of Peru, Guillermo Rodriguez of Ecuador, and Hugo Banzer Suarez of Bolivia. Lower-level SOA graduates have participated in human rights abuses that include the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero and the El Mozote Massacre of 900 civilians. (See Grads in the News).
From the SOAW web site (http://www.soaw.org):
About the School of the Americas / Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation
The US Army School of Americas (SOA), based in Fort Benning, Georgia, trains Latin American security personnel in combat, counter-insurgency, and counter-narcotics. SOA graduates are responsible for some of the worst human rights abuses in Latin America. In 1996 the Pentagon was forced to release training manuals used at the school that advocated torture, extortion and execution. Among the SOA's nearly 60,000 graduates are notorious dictators Manuel Noriega and Omar Torrijos of Panama, Leopoldo Galtieri and Roberto Viola of Argentina, Juan Velasco Alvarado of Peru, Guillermo Rodriguez of Ecuador, and Hugo Banzer Suarez of Bolivia. Lower-level SOA graduates have participated in human rights abuses that include the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero and the El Mozote Massacre of 900 civilians. (See Grads in the News).
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Anti-Militarization Gathering in Honduras
The Second Hemispheric Meeting Against Militarization will take place in Honduras from October 2-6, 2008. Delegates of over twenty countries confirmed their participation. Pablo Espinosa Ruiz from Chile, who has been part of the campaign to close the SOA/WHINSEC for many years, will represent SOA Watch at the gathering. For more information, visit http://www.antimilitarizacion.blogspot.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)