Regis students protest SOA in Georgia
Angela Shugarts, Staff Reporter
Issue date: 11/24/08 Section: News
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On Nov. 16, hundreds gathered in the Chapel at 7:30 p.m. to honor those murdered at the hands of the School of the Americas (SOA), and to bless the students, staff, faculty, and community members headed to Ft. Benning, Georgia to protest the SOA. The group left last Friday morning, Nov. 21.
"The SOA is a military training school that trains Latin American soldiers in counterinsurgency techniques and graduates of the school have been responsible for numerous violations of human rights massacres, assassinations and atrocities throughout Central and South American for decades," said Katie Maslanka, Romero House Coordinator.
The Chapel's parameter was lined with burning candles during the vigil. Photographs of the six Jesuits, their housekeeper and her daughter were displayed around the chapel. Red programs were available showing photographs of the martyrs at the University of Central America including the Jesuits Amando Lopez Quintana, S.J., Ignacio Ellacuria, S.J., Segundo Montes, S.J., Joaquin Lopez y Lopez, S.J., Juan Ramon Moreno Pardo, S.J., Ignacio Martin-Baro, S.J., and their housekeeper, Elba Julia Ramos and her daughter Celina Maricet Ramos.
A prayer service before the mass gave delegates and their supporters a chance to pray and reflect on their journey and preparation from the last eight weeks.
Fr. Dan Daly presided at the mass, remembering and honoring those who have died at the hands of the SOA graduates and inviting Regis students and the community to pray for these delegates as they voyage to promote peace and justice. Daly called the clergy to "be in the company" with those who have died and to be their companion because we need them as much as they need us.
Preparing for the Protest
Students, faculty, and community members dedicated much of their time in preparation for this trip. From mandatory weekly meetings, nonviolence-training sessions, to the SOA Delegation dinner and silent auction, protestors are ready to embark on the journey to Ft. Benning.
Weekly meetings, held every Wednesday night from 9-11 p.m. addressed issues about the SOA and Latin American policies in general through educational videos, personal testimonies, statistics and games. There was always a spiritual component to the meetings, beginning and ending with a time for deep reflection and remembrance.
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ft lauderdale movers
posted 7/08/10 @ 1:31 PM MST
It's very important to stand up for what you believe in, so it's good that these people decided to protest.
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