November 17-19, 2006
Greetings Grandmothers and Grandmother-Supporters!
The campaign to get 1,000 grandmothers to the gates of the “School of the Assassins” is building momentum! The image of sweet little old ladies taking a stand against the training of Latin American combat soldiers resonates with people. We have even gotten an email from a grandmother as far away as Pakistan sending her support for this action!
As the time until the mobilization grows short, we need for this action to quickly become a widespread grassroots effort (as opposed to an action organized by three women in northern California). We need your help in spreading the word to get more people involved in this work. Please consider forwarding this email to your friends and allies, and on any organizational listserve or in newsletters.
Our Strategy
Our strategy for closing the School of the Americas can be briefly described as follows:
The image of 1,000 grandmothers at the gates of the SOA is NEWSWORTHY. With media attention and a clear message (Grandma Says “Close the School of the Americas”), we can educate people around the country about what is happening inside the walls of the SOA.
As the average American becomes more educated, they can be mobilized to pressure their Congressional representatives to support bills, such as HR 1217, that will permanently close the SOA.
The success of this action depends on two components – (1) Being newsworthy, and (2) Contacting the Media.
Being Newsworthy – As we plan this action, photo-ops have been considered all along the way. And, we continue to think creatively about possible media opportunities (and we welcome all ideas). Some media-friendly activities being planned include wearing white kerchiefs on our heads in solidarity with Madras de Plaza de Mayo in Argentina, an “Afternoon Tea Party”, a.k.a. strategizing meeting in Fort Benning, and gathering and sending Booties for Peace to all members of Congress in the spirit of "Surplus Food for China" Campaign in the 1950s.
Another component of being newsworthy is if we have nationwide vigils of grandmothers and non-grandmothers to stand in solidarity with the grannies in Fort Benning, GA. If you are willing to organize and publicize a local vigil for November 19th, please send an email to Sue at 1000 Grandmothers and it will be posted on the website.
Media Work – If a tree falls in the forest… If 1,000 grandmothers gather at the gates of the SOA and there is no media, does it really make any difference? We must ALL work to contact the media in our local communities in order to make them aware of our gathering. We hope to have a media toolkit on the website VERY soon! Please consider contacting the media before you come to GA or while planning your local solidarity vigil.
Local Contacts Needed – Contact people for local affinity groups are needed for most states and major cities, as well as contacts for people willing to organize local vigils. The rationale for having local contacts is so that interested/curious grandmothers and non-grandmothers can plug in locally.
Supporters/ Endorsements
If your organization would like to be listed as a supporter of this work, send an email to Cathy at A Thousand Grandmothers. A link to our website from your organization’s website is also an easy way to spread the word.
Please note that we are not encouraging anyone to risk arrest. We do, however, recognize that personal choice and conviction may lead some grandmothers to “cross the line”. Please be aware that if you are arrested, the chance of imprisonment is likely and we will post legal information on our website soon. Regardless of your expression of disgust with the SOA, your soulforce and presence is still critically needed. We hope you will consider joining us this November in Fort Benning, GA or in solidarity in your own community!
Paz,
The 1,000 Grandmothers Team
Chico, CA
1000 Grand Mothers
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