Ursuline Sisters' Corporate Stance
advocates closure of SOA/WHINSEC  

In May of 1999, the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland and associate members finalized an extensive educational process with a majority vote in favor of taking an official corporate stance to support efforts to close SOA/WHINSEC.

 

 

Three of the five El Salvadoran National Guardsmen who murdered Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel (from left) Maryknoll Sisters Ita Ford and Maura Clarke, and lay missioner Jean Donovan were trained at the School of the Americas (SOA), now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.

House of Representatives votes to require Pentagon to release information on SOA/WHINSEC grads, instructors

Contact your Senate representative to pass legislation

 

Wednesday, June 24, marked a victory with regard to the movement to close the former U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA), now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) when the U.S. House of Representatives approved the McGovern-Sestak-Bishop (GA)-Lewis (GA) amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2010 fiscal year.

The amendment will require the public release of names, rank, countries  of origin, courses and dates of attendance of WHINSEC's graduates and instructors to the public. The amendment was approved with a 224 to 190 vote, which represents a major victory for the international human rights community.

 Sister Diane Therese raises awareness
of issues surrounding WHINSEC/SOA


Support of Sister Diane Therese and her non-violent act of civil disobedience reaches far and wide

 Prison for Sister Beverly Anne LoGrasso witnesses trials of justice. Click here to read a reflection on her visit to Sister Diane Pinchot, who served a 60 day sentence at Alderson Federal for trespassing. (Sister Diane was released May 8, 2009.)

Sister Diane Pinchot shares thoughts from Alderson Federal Prison. Click on Social Justice, School of the Americas, to learn why she received a 60-day sentence. Click here to read reflections on her incarceration.

Plain Dealer report/David Briggs

WKYC report/Chris Tye

Ursulines' stance on SOA/WHINSEC

SOA/WHINSEC File Downloads

Ursuline Sister Diane Therese Pinchot shares a moment with Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois.

Ursuline Sister Diane Therese Pinchot shares a moment with Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois.

Thousands converge at the gates of Fort Benning to advocate for the closure of SOA/WHINSEC

Thousands converge at the gates of Fort Benning to advocate for the closure of SOA/WHINSEC

The gates of Fort Benning, home to SOA/WHINSEC

The gates of Fort Benning, home to SOA/WHINSEC

Ursulines from across the United States gather in support of efforts to close SOA/WHINSEC

Ursulines from across the United States gather in support of efforts to close SOA/WHINSEC

Ursulines from across the United States gather in support of efforts to close SOA/WHINSEC

Ursulines from across the United States gather in support of efforts to close SOA/WHINSEC

Cleveland Ursuline Sister Mary Eileen Boyle places a cross on the fence at Fort Benning in memory of Sister Dorothy Kazel

Cleveland Ursuline Sister Mary Eileen Boyle places a cross on the fence at Fort Benning in memory of Sister Dorothy Kazel

An "Ursulines for Justice" banner hangs among thousands of crosses placed on the fence at Fort Benning. The crosses are made each year in memory of victims of murder and torture at the hands of Latin American SOA/WHINSEC trainees and graduates

An "Ursulines for Justice" banner hangs among thousands of crosses placed on the fence at Fort Benning. The crosses are made each year in memory of victims of murder and torture at the hands of Latin American SOA/WHINSEC trainees and graduates

Sister Diane Therese Pinchot (standing, second from right) with five others who were arrested for trespassing onto the grounds of Fort Benning.

Sister Diane Therese Pinchot (standing, second from right) with five others who were arrested for trespassing onto the grounds of Fort Benning.

Cleveland Ursuline Sisters Susan Durkin and Susan Zion place crosses on the Fort Benning fence in memory of Dorothy Kazel

Cleveland Ursuline Sisters Susan Durkin and Susan Zion place crosses on the Fort Benning fence in memory of Dorothy Kazel

Participants at the event

Participants at the event

Meeting and praying around the event

Meeting and praying around the event

Cleveland Usuline Sisters Miriam Fidelis Pinchot and Diane Therese Pinchot, siblings, share a moment at the event

Cleveland Usuline Sisters Miriam Fidelis Pinchot and Diane Therese Pinchot, siblings, share a moment at the event

Participants in the event's mock funeral procession carry crosses in memory of victims of Latin American SOA/WHINSEC trainees and graduates

Participants in the event's mock funeral procession carry crosses in memory of victims of Latin American SOA/WHINSEC trainees and graduates