Protesting WHINSEC

The U.S. Army's Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), often known by its former name, the School of the Americas (SOA), is located in Ft.Benning, Georgia. WHINSEC is a combat training school for Latin American soldiers. Many graduates have been responsible for severe human rights violations in their home countries.

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) issued a call for the closing of the SOA in 1994. PPF took the lead in putting the overture before the General Assembly that year, and we have continued to take action to close SOA/WHINSEC and change the oppressive foreign policy of the United States that WHINSEC has come to represent. Several members of PPF have served prison sentences as a result of "crossing the line" in nonviolent acts of civil disobedience at the annual event at Ft. Benning.

Join Us!

  • Join the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship this November 21-23, 2008 in Ft. Benning, GA, for the Vigil and Direct Action to Close the SOA/WHINSEC.

    Join Presbyterians for a breakfast on Saturday at 7am ($10; $5 for student). Reservations are required.

    March with PPF during Sunday's vigil.

    If you will be staying the entire weekend, we may be able to help with hotel arrangements or transportation from the airport.

    For more information, contact Marilyn White at marwhite@igc.org

  • Write to your representatives in Congress. You can learn a great deal more about this work at www.soaw.org.
  • Lorie and Phil Gates are available to speak to your congregation or organization about WHINSEC, Colombia, and Phil's experience of civil disobedience, arrest, and imprisonment in protest of WHINSEC and its policies.