Arpita Ghosh, The Phoenix (Loyola University, Chicago)

More than 14,000 people traveled to Georgia this past weekend to participate in a funeral march for eight individuals who were murdered 16 years ago.

On Nov. 16, 1989, six Jesuits and two female coworkers were murdered in El Salvador by members of the Salvadorian military.

Vigilant protestors, including 65 Loyola students and faculty members, processed outside the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, still referred to as the School of the Americas, in Fort Benning, Ga., the school that trained the Salvadorians who killed the Jesuits.

The march was just one of the events of a weekend-long protest against the WHISC. The institution is a U.S. tax payer-funded military school for Latin Americans. According to the SOA Watch, an organization seeking to close the WHISC, the school trains soldiers in counterinsurgency, sniper training and interrogation tactics. Several human rights advocacy groups, including the San Jose de Apertado Peace Community of Colombia, agree. The organizations assert that graduates of the school use their skills to wage wars against their own people.

Students from Jesuit high schools and universities across the country gather each year on the anniversary of the murders.

The weekend-long vigil began in Fort Benning, Ga. on Nov. 18 with the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice. The Teach-In promoted reflection on the Jesuit commitment to live out faith that encourages justice. Speakers ranged from high school students to bishops, including the Rev. Roy Bourgeois, founder of the SOA Watch.

On Saturday, attendees heard first-hand experiences from seven torture survivors who shared their stories and provided suggestions for ending torture.

Medea Benjamin, a human rights advocate, and Sister Helen Prejean, author of "Dead Man Walking," spoke on how to organize social justice movements.

The events ended on Nov. 20, with a memorial service and funeral procession. Those in attendance carried white crosses bearing the names of victims of SOA graduates.

Junior Larry Parr said it is imperative that people understand the social injustice he believes is present within the U.S. government. He said students do not necessarily attend the protest to advocate the school's closure.

"This trip forces us to realize that we are not protesting ... we are traveling together as a community to stand in solidarity with those who have died because of SOA graduates," Parr said.

Senior Matt Johnson agreed.

"I think it's important to be aware of the SOA and what its impact on society is," Johnson said. "I understand that it's hard to criticize the country we live in because we are in positions of comfort. But it is also necessary to be well-informed individuals, and I think that this is one of the main purposes of the vigil."

Johnson was the primary advocate for issuing a positive statement from the Unified Student Government in support of those going to Fort Benning. The Unified Student Government met on Tuesday, Nov. 8, to discuss a statement on whether or not USG would support Loyola students going to the vigil.

"Even though the name [of the SOA] has changed, it is a cosmetic change," Johnson said. "The goals and ideals remain the same. We are a Jesuit institution that is devoted to service and social justice."

But, USG Vice President of Academic Affairs, senior Charles Frommelt, voted against the legislation.

"I don't think that it is within USG's boundaries to be debating issues that are outside of Loyola," Frommelt said. "For me, this was not a matter of debating the morality and politics of the WHISC, but a debate of whether or not the legislation fell within the realm of the USG."

USG voted not to issue a statement of support for the student protestors. This was the second year in a row the legislation was not passed.

Despite the vote, senior Alena Chaps felt it was her duty to travel to the SOA.

"In high school, I participated [in] an immersion to Guarjilla, El Salvador," Chaps said. "I met many people whom the policies and practices of the SOA have affected ... I believe in the importance of protesting the SOA at Jesuit institutions after the massacre in 1989."

Junior Jay Chittooran said he thought this vigil would be a good way to build community.

"I was touched when I went last year," Chitooran said. "It gave me an opportunity to come together with others who were concerned about social justice issues. [This year's] experience was just as meaningful as last year['s]," Chittooran said.

Senior Tim Killeen attended the vigil for the second year in a row, serving as a student leader for Loyola's group.

"I went again this year to raise awareness," Kileen said. "When I went home after the vigil last year, I realized that there were some facts about the SOA that I didn't even know. I think one of the main reasons I decided to go again this year was because it spreads awareness about the SOA. It's my responsibility to hear all the information presented and take a stand."

Sophomore Amna Shaikh said the protest was one of many ways students can advocate change.

"I wasn't planning on going on this trip," Shaikh said. "It was a last-minute decision, but I'm glad I went. I was standing there and was stunned at how many people can be passive. This is just one small step. There's more we can do."

Despite the annual protests, the United States has not closed the school. Chaps, however, said she hopes that bringing about awareness contributes to the eventual closing of the school.

"As a Jesuit institution, our mission is to be persons for others," Chaps said. "I cannot imagine a better way to strive toward this goal than [to be] a voice for the voiceless victims," Chaps said.