Last weekend, a group of UD students involved in the human rights movement Amnesty International traveled to Fort Benning, Ga. to protest the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHISC), formerly the School of the Americas (SOA).

WHISC is a military institution which trains soldiers, law enforcement and civilians to "Support the democratic principles of the Western Hemisphere," according to the U.S. Army Web site. Amnesty International, on the other hand, says the SOA is a training camp for terrorists who kill innocent civilians.

Flyer News contacted several of the Amnesty International members and asked about their experience at the SOA.

FN: Why are you against the School of the Americas?

Beth Voitik, senior, sociology major:

"I (went) to the vigil to say that I do not stand in unity with the U.S. government's greed and lack of compassion. The names of the tortured will not be forgotten and are presente for those willing to become aware."

Paul Ebert, fifth-year senior, early-childhood education:

"There is a serious imbalance of power, distribution of wealth and an acknowledged voice here in America. This 'Democratic' way of life is the same way of life we are trying, and do, support in Latin and South America via the Western Hemisphere Institute of Security Corporation."

FN: If you are Catholic, how does being Catholic affect your point of view on the SOA?

John Seryak, MEE, graduate student:

"The movement was started by Catholics and many of the protestors are Catholic. I feel that many that share my tradition share this concern, and it is rooted in our spirituality."

Meagan Doty, sophomore, sociology

"Being Catholic has nothing to do with it. I think that any person who believes in a just world for all that live in it are opposed, or should be, to the SOA."

FN: What experience or moment during the protest affected you the most or taught you the most?

Benjamin Schnier, freshman, undecided arts:

"Thousands of people of all ages, races and walks of life came to gather both to listen and make their voices heard. I felt very proud to be there and make a statement about what I believed. I felt proud and honored to have an opportunity to make my beliefs known."

Ebert: "I had the opportunity to change my life forever. I would forfeit the possibility of ever being able to teach, graduate and forever have a federal record: civil disobedience."

FN: Describe the protest in your own words; who was there, what important things happened and how did you feel being there?

Chris Lonsberry, senior, international studies in global development, chemical engineering:

"Saturday, was primarily a celebration of hope and life with speakers who discussed the effects of a violent US foreign policy and musicians who kept the mood lively. Sunday was a vigil for the dead and disappeared who suffered in the crimes in Latin America and for victims of violence all over the world."

Julie Reiter, senior, human rights major

"This weekend truly speaks to the heart. It angers you, nourishes you, and inspires la lucha por justicia (struggle for justice)' I felt a true sense of solidarity when I was with our group of 52. It was very empowering to return home to UD with 52 inspired hearts and committed minds."

FN: What do you think the protest actually accomplished?

Seryak:

"I think the protest strengthens the cause for peace. I think many people come away with hope, with anger, and with a renewed passion to change the world we live in to a better place."

FN: Would you go again? Why?

Doty:

'I will continue to go to the protest as long as it takes to close the school down. I think that every single person matters. The largest revolutions in the world were started by a few people who felt that there was an injustice and it needed to end.'

Lonsberry:

"Absolutely. Because the solidarity and the group was beautiful, but also because we must never forget about the victims."