Nonviolent Direct Action at Ft. Benning <br>November 2006

Every year groups of people decide to take their message onto the Fort Benning military base, publicly defying the laws which prevent political speech on military bases and making a bold call for the closure of the ?School of Assassins.? This year, we encourage people to come as individuals and affinity groups to take nonviolent direct action to help liberate us all from oppressive US foreign policy in Latin America and to close the SOA/ WHINSEC.

Some people will choose to take their message onto the Ft. Benning near the main gate and our vigil area, navigating over or around the fence built to keep us out. In past years people have done this in varied ways, and have entered the base with numerous messages. Some entered Ft. Benning to deliver an indictment of the SOA, others carried petitions for the closure of the school, and others carried coffins and re-enacted massacres to commemmorate those who have died at the hands of SOA/ WHINSEC gradutes.

Some people will form affinity groups to take action at other locations in and around Ft. Benning. Creative nonviolent direct actions have occured at other entrances and at various locations inside the base including the barracks where SOA/ WHINSEC soliders are housed, the chapel, and the SOA/ WHINSEC building itself.

Come to Ft. Benning this year and particate in nonviolent direct action to make a bold statement supporting self determination and justice for all -- Shut Down this School of Assassins!

People who have entered Ft. Benning to call for the closure of the SOA/WHINSEC are arrested, prosecuted, and often sentenced to prison. Over 180 SOA Watch activists have spent a combinded total of more than 80 years in prison for speaking truth to power within the confines of a military base. While a serious undertaking, we think this is a small price to pay to dramatize and call attention to the enormous horrors that result from the training at the SOA/ WHINSEC and the foreign policy that it represents. Together we raise a loud cry to shut down this School of the Assassins, whatever name they give it.

In 2003 the US Magistrate required $1000 bail for every single person arrested before they would be released from the Muscogee County Jail. This was an increase from $500 the year before. It should be expected that bail, possibly higher, will be imposed again this year.

Please refer to the Legal Briefing for People Considering Civil Disobedience at SOA Protest

Bail: Contact the SOA Watch office with further questions and ideas at 202.234.3440, or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ">info(at)soaw.org.