Nov.21-23: Shut Down the SOA! - UPDATE

1) What to expect in Fort Benning, Georgia
2) Legal Briefing for People Considering Civil Disobedience
3) Transportation information
4) Housing
5) Make it happen
6) Outreach Material
7) Upcoming Events Calendar (trainings, regional meetings etc.)
8) Donate to SOA Watch

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COME TO FORT BENNING, GEORGIA
For a preliminary schedule of the November 21-23, 2003 events to close the SOA in Fort Benning, Georgia, to read what will happen at the rally at the gates of the base on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2003, what the scenario for the nonviolent direct action on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003 will look like and how decisions are being made, visit http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=418

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LEGAL BRIEFING
Bill Quigley, a lawyer from the Loyola University School of Law prepared a basic briefing that is giving answers to questions regarding the legal consequences of crossing the line onto the military base (including citizenship, studentgrants, possible prison sentences etc.). To read the legal briefing visit: http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=664

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TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
If you are organizing busses to Fort Benning or if you are looking for a ride to the vigil action, list your information on the ride board. You can find the ride board and more information about plane tickets, charter buses and driving directions here: http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=427

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HOUSING
SOA Watch has rooms in several hotels in the Columbus, GA area booked on group rate and the hotels are filling up fast (some are already booked out). A listing of housing options is posted here: http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=399

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MAKE IT HAPPEN
Communities across North America are busy preparing for the November vigil to close the SOA/WHISC. Now is the time to organize video showings, fundraisers, talks and other outreach events, to spread the word in order to fill the buses from your region. Talk to your local media about your participation in the protests to close the SOA. Order or download an Organizing Packet for more suggestions (see below). We also need people who can build and bring crosses, Stars of David, Birds of Liberation and other commemorative symbols for the solemn funeral procession at the gates of Fort Benning. We also need Indymedia activists, street medics, puppetistas, peacekeepers and many more volunteers, who can help out with tasks during the weekend in Georgia. Please contact John at (202) 234 3440 in the SOA Watch office in DC if you will be able to help out during the vigil action.

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OUTREACH MATERIAL
Download the free, print-ready "SOA Watch Info", a four-page compilation of hard facts and exposing information about the School of the Americas/WHISC and distribute it in your community: http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=662
Download fliers for the November vigil action and other info material here: http://www.soaw.org/new/sub.php?id=29
You can order the SOA Watch November 2003 Organizing Packet from SOA Watch or download it from the web: http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=651
For educational videos and books to educate yourself and others about the SOA/WHISC, visit: http://www.soaw.org/new/sub.php?id=2

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UPCOMING EVENTS
Visit the events calendar for more information about the SOA Watch Lobby Day on September 23, upcoming trainings in preparation for the November Vigil Action, regional SOA Watch Strategy meetings, etc. http://www.soaw.org/new/calendar.php SOA Watch founder Father Roy Bourgeois is traveling across the country (South Carolina, Iowa, Wisconsin, DC, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Montana, New Hampshire, Louisiana, Nebraska, Illinois) to talk to communities about why the SOA has to close. Visit http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=412 to see his speaking schedule.

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DONATE TO SOA WATCH
SOA Watch needs to raise $45,000 by November 1st, 2003 to be able to pay for this years November vigil action expenses (e.g. outreach, the media campaign, sound and stage equipment, portable toilets, fax and phone lines and the rental of spaces etc.) We ask for your help. Please give as you are able.

Please make Checks and Money Orders payable to "SOA Watch" and mail them to

SOA Watch
PO Box 4566
Washington, DC, 20017

You can also donate online through PayPal by clicking on the following link: https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=info%40soaw.org&no_note=1&tax=0&currency_code=USD

SOA Watch does not have 501(c)3 status. Financial Contributions are therefore not tax-deductible.

We are also in need of a new digital fax machine. - please call (202) 234 3440

Hope to see you at the gates of Fort Benning in Georgia in November!