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Father
Bourgeois, according to his Web site, is known for
his opposition to the installation at Fort Benning, Ga.
Recently renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for
Security Cooperation, SOAW refers to the base as a training
ground for Latin American troops that “consistently
use their skills to wage war against their own people.” A
decorated Navy Veteran of the Vietnam War, Father Bourgeois
now holds yearly rallies at Fort Benning to raise awareness
of the situation.
Students for Peace have been involved with SOAW before,
according to co-president Mary Bapst. Last November, 17
students from Buffalo State attended the rally at Fort
Benning to show support for the cause. They were part of
an estimated crowd of 16,000 people united to show support
according to Bapst.
Co-president Jenessas Kornaker, attended
the rally last year and described it as “very overwhelming;
thousands of people believed in the same thing we did,
of every race and background for one cause.”
Along with the crowds of protesters, Martin Sheen and
Susan Sarandon have been in attendance, according to Bapst.
The group was excited to host Father
Bourgeois, and Bapst was very enthusiastic about the
event. She stated: “If
you don’t educate yourself about crimes against humanity,
its hard to do anything about it. This is the first step.” In
the upcoming months, the group will be involved in many
events bringing awareness to their cause:
For those interested in more information, the group meets
in Cassety Hall, Room BC-14 on Tuesdays during Bengal Pause.
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Students for Peace members with Father
Roy Bourgueois. L to R: Mary Bapst, Josh Coppings, Father
Bourqueois and Jenessas Kornaker.
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