Schedule of Events

We built on the success of the Peoples' Movement Assembly (PMA) at the 2013 Vigil, and we held another Peoples' Movement Assembly to facilitate communication and action during the Spring Days and beyond. Click here to see photos of the PMA.

3) Monday, March 31. SOA Watch staff and activists with decades of grassroots lobbying experience will lead a Lobby/Advocacy Training from 9:30am - 12pm on HR 2989, opposition to proposed sanctions againgst Venezuela, and Not1+ Deportations. There will also be a workshop from 1:30 - 4pm on Direct Action with emphasis on local, grassroots, and youth organizing. (9:30 AM - 4:00 PM @ The United Methodist Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002).

4) Monday, March 31. Join School of the Americas Watch, ally organizations,  musicians (Lilo Gonzalez & Son Cosita Seria), artists, and other supporters in Downtown Takoma Park as we take the streets in a public demonstration aimed at outreach to the local community and messaging directed at two important political players with ties to Takoma Park, W.H. Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, and Rep. Chris Van Hollen. Learn more about HR 2989, the bipartisan bill in congress that seeks to suspend and invstigate the SOA/WHINSEC, and what you can do to help close the School of Assassins. Take a stand for peace, mutual respect, and accountability in both Latin America and the U.S.! (6:15 PM - 8 PM @ downtown Takoma Park - Laurel Ave. & Carroll Ave).

5) Tuesday, April 1. SOA Watch activists and staff will meet with their Members of Congress to urge them to cosponsor HR 2989, and support other positive policies toward Latin America. For more information on lobbying, contact Arturo by phone (202-234-3440) or email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

A National Call-In Day will allow the voices of activists from around the country to be amplified by concentrating our strength on one day and blitzing the Capitol phone lines.

6) Thursday, April 3. In coordination with the University of Maryland's Latin American Studies Center and UMD-based student group Voices: Arts for Social Change, a night dedicated to Chile's folk music hero Victor Jara will be held on campus in College Park, MD from 5:30-8:30. SOA Watch Advocacy Coordinator Arturo J. Viscarra, Prof. Karín Rosemblatt, PhD doctoral candidate Brandi Townsend, and Coral Cantigas Conductor Diana Saez will discuss the role of nueva canción in Chilean social movement and the campaign to extradite Jara's alleged killer, Pedro Barrientos, from Florida to Chile to stand trial. Music will be performed, dialogue lively, and refreshments delicious.

Room 0200 Skinner Hall at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. For public transportation, take the Metro Green Line to the College Park stop. Then take the red UMD shuttle bus to campus (get off at the final stop opposite the Stamp Student Union). Click here for detailed map of UMD campus. Free parking in Lots Z and Mowatt Lane Garage is circled in red. Skinner Hall is circled in blue.

7) Saturday, April 5. SOA Watch has been working to connect the dots between militarization and immigration, and we encourage our supporters to join us and allied organizations for the April 5th National Day of Action Against Deportations. We will raise our voices in unison to say #Not1More and #2Million2Many to President Obama and the Congress in DC or in actions across the U.S. organized by NDLON and other organizations. More information can be found here. (Meeting at Lamont Park, Lamont Street NW & Mt. Pleasant St. NW at 11 AM, March to White House, where march will arrive around 1 PM for rally at President's Park).

Start Mobilizing!

CHECK OUT THE SPRING DAYS OF ACTION ORGANIZING PACKET!

1. Let your friends, community and networks know about the March 30 - April 3 Spring Days of Action. We are encouraging SOA Watch activists to start planning your trip today to Washington, and to set up meetings with your members of Congress today. The emphasis is on the House, but you should also set up a meeting with your Senators!

2. Show a screening of the SOA Watch DVD "Somos Una América" in your community, and invite SOA Watch speakers to your events! Order our bilingual, informational broadsheet about the SOA/WHINSEC to educate your community!

3. Contact your Congressional representative. Ask them to set up a meeting (click here to learn how) with you on Tuesday April 1 (or surrounding days).

4. Make a donation to help make Spring in DC a real celebration of life, hope and resistance!