Army wants more helicopter training on Mauna Kea after violating Mauna Kea Ice Age Reserve

In addition to plans to expand Army training facilities in the Pohakuloa Training Area, the Army recently issued a notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for impelementation of High Altitude Mountainous Environmental Training (HAMET) on the slopes of the sacred mountain, Mauna Kea.

According to Marti Townsend of KAHEA, the area that the Army is proposing to use is state land (ceded lands) set aside as a forest reserve for the birds.

In the past, the Army has been granted a “right of entry” permit to use the forest reserve for “touch-n-go” type helicopter exercises and also overnight “set up camp in a hurry” type trainings. The permit is issued by the Division Of Forestry And Wildlife Head, Paul Conroy, meaning that it does not come before the Board of Land and Natural Resources in a public hearing. The public was not notified of the previous right of entry permits issued to the Army.

However, we have learned that an Army helicopter landed in the Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Areas Reserve during a training exercise in violation of the permit. This prompted the state to require the Army to complete an Environmental Assessment pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Below is the excerpt from The Environmental Notice published on Dec. 23rd. Deadline for comments to the Army is January 24, 2011.

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High Altitude Mountainous Environmental Training, Pōhakuloa Training Area, Island of Hawai‘i

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, an Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) have been prepared for the implementation of proposed High Altitude Mountainous Environmental Training (HAMET) at Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA), Island of Hawai‘i. The purpose of the proposed action is to provide helicopter aviators/crews high-altitude training flight operations, while recognizing Army stewardship responsibilities within the affected region. The need for the proposed action is to provide realistic training to ready helicopter aviators/crews to be successful in the combat theater to support the operational and mission requirements of the 25th CAB, 25th Infantry Division, set forth by the Department of Army and Department of Defense (DoD) for deployment in support of combat operations in Afghanistan and future related theater actions. Activities for helicopter aviator/crew proficiency training include but are not limited to: Touch and go, limited landings, approach and departure, reconnaissance, abort and go around, and nighttime operations in designated areas. Based on the information analyzed, the EA concludes that the proposed action would not result in any significant direct, indirect, or cumulative adverse impacts on the natural or human environment. The EA and draft FNSI are available for public review at the following public libraries: Hilo Public Library, Kailua-Kona Public Library, and Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library. Copies can also be obtained by contacting NEPA Program Manager at (808) 656-3075 or William.Rogers5@us.army.mil. Written comments will be received and considered up to 30 days from the publication of this notice, and should be directed to the email address above, or mailed to: Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division (IMPC-HI-PWE), Attn: Mr. William Rogers, 947 Wright Avenue, Wheeler Army Airfield, Schofield Barracks, 96857-5013.

Global Day of Action on Military Spending

Check out this website and call to action for a Global Day of Action on Military Spending. It’s a great resource to discuss the cost of militarization and alternative social and fiscal priorities. 

Here’s some background info from the website:

In 2009, global military spending surged to an all-time high of US $1.53 trillion. Given the numerous crises facing the planet — economic, environmental, health, diplomatic — it is imperative that we create a global movement to shift this money to human needs. We know that there are thousands of organizations and millions of individuals who support this point of view – what is needed is to begin a serious mobilizing effort to make it visible.

As part of this campaign, we propose a Global Day of Action on Military Spending for April 12, 2011 to coincide with the release of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s annual report, which will include new figures on military expenditures. On this day, people all over the world will join together in joint actions to focus public, political, and media attention on the costs of military spending and the need for new priorities. Such events will help us to build the international network around this issue.

While each location will craft its own approach, we hope there will be a common focus on calling attention to the overall size of global military spending. This would need in most cases to be linked to a related national (or local) issue, such as the Afghanistan war, anti-bases efforts, arms trade deals, work against small arms, resources for nonviolent conflict resolution, Article 9 campaign etc. We very much hope that peace groups will use this as an opportunity to connect up with anti-poverty, environmental, pro-democracy organizations and others who share our perspective.

As for types of actions: a whole range is possible! — from street theatre/demonstrations and erecting banners to seminars, signature collection and much more. Many slogans come to mind:What Would You Do With $1.5 Trillion? $1.5 Trillion Is Insane! Trillions for War or Trillions for Peace? etc. We plan to issue a Toolkit before long to assist organizers. A key aspect is the visual side. By generating some captivating images, we plan to attract widespread media coverage and make available photos of our rallies and events. We will compile an album of pictures from around the world and post them online to document the global movement and to use to accompany stories about the SIPRI report and our own actions.

We have commitments from organizations in the United States (in Washington, New York, Boston, Western Massachusetts, the Bay Area, Maine and Honolulu) as well as South Korea, Switzerland, South Africa, Lebanon, the Philippines, and Greece. Can we add you to our list?

17th Annual Makua Christmas Vigil for Peace

Malama Makua is holding the 17th Annual Christmas Vigil at the gate of Makua Valley for peace in Makua & the world

Sunday Dec 26, 2010

3:45 pm

Potluck to follow.

Questions?  Contact Fred Dodge

Email: makuakauka@hotmail.com

Or call 696-4677.

Army announces Programmatic EIS for construction at Pohakuloa Training Area

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: FOUO

FOR MG TERRY / LTC NILES / USARPAC MS. NIELSEN for PTA PEIS NOI notifications

Aloha ‘Okou,

I hope that this email finds you well. Unfortunately time constraints preclude my ability to call all of you today.  Therefore I am sending this email to ensure that you receive this information.

I wanted to personally notify you of the Army’s action to publish a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register this week, stating that the Army will prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island — which will evaluate the potential environmental effects associated with the modernization of training ranges, infrastructure, and support facilities there.

The PEIS will also specifically evaluate the potential environmental effects associated with the construction and operation of an Infantry Platoon Battle Area at PTA.

The Army is seeking public input to identify community concerns or issues as part of the PEIS process – which is being conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The proposed actions at PTA involve upgrading existing ranges to current standards and/or constructing new ranges; upgrading and/or constructing new Soldier support facilities in the cantonment area; and improving or constructing roads and utilities at PTA.  The proposed action would improve the current shortfall in collective live-fire training capabilities for units stationed in Hawaii.

The PEIS will evaluate constructing and operating an Infantry Platoon Battle Area —  which includes an infantry Platoon Battle Course, a live-fire shoot house, and a Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) facility.  The PEIS will also consider alternate courses of action, including modernizing PTA’s existing training ranges, infrastructure and facilities, or a No Action alternative.

Public scoping meetings to receive community input are scheduled to be held in Hilo on 11 Jan and in Waimea on 12 Jan.

Tues., 11 Jan 2011:
Hilo Intermediate School
5:50 – 6:45 p.m. – Open House       7:00-9:00 p.m. – Open Microphone session

Wed.,  12 Jan 2011
Waimea Elementary & Intermediate School
5:30-6:45 p.m. – Open House         7:00-9:00 p.m. – Open Microphone Session

I will be at both public meetings. I hope that you will be able to attend one or the other of the meetings.

A Public Notice will be advertised in the Hawaii Tribune Herald and West Hawaii Today, and a media release issued to all media.

Section 106 consultation will be conducted on this project, and we have already started the archaeological field work to enable us to do this, as those who have been working for CSH are undoubtedly aware.  Fieldwork will be ongoing into the new year as well using PTA Cultural Resources staff.

For additional information on this effort, please do not hesitate to contact me or our action officer, Mike Egami at 808-656-3152. Unfortunately, I will be on leave from December 21 through December 28, returning on December 29.


However, I do eventually read through all of my emails, so please feel free to send one back, or call me when I return should you have questions or concerns.  And of course, we have our next Cultural Advisory Committee meeting on January 14.

Have a wonderful, safe and enjoyable holiday season, and I look forward to seeing all of you in the new year!

Mahalo nui loa,

Julie

Dr. Julie M. E. Taomia
Archaeologist, Cultural Resources Section
Environmental Division
Directorate of Public Works
Pohakuloa Training Area
US Army Garrison
(808)969-1966
http://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&service_provider_id=83121&site_id=46&service_category_id=5

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: FOUO

Waikane munitions cleanup seeks public comments and involvement

This email includes:

1. Update on the Marine Corps Restoration Advisory Board for cleanup of unexploded munitions in Waikane Impact Area, including a call to submit comments on the proposed Feasibility Study for cleanup of unexploded munitions in Waikane Impact Area.

2. Invitation to submit application to join a Restoration Advisory Board for the Army Corps of Engineers’ cleanup project in the neighboring parcel of the Waikane Training Area.

1. Marine Corps’ Waikane Impact Area RAB and call for public comments:

Last night, December 1, 2010, the Marines held a Waikane Valley Impact Area Restoration Advisory Board meeting.  They reported on findings and recommendations of the Draft Remedial Investigation (RI) and discussed plans for commencing a Feasibility Study (FS) for the clean up response at the site.  The Draft RI characterized the unexploded ordnance hazard for various sections of the parcel. It also found contaminants such as copper, antimony, and TNT in several locations, but determined that the levels did not pose a risk to human health or the environment.  The FS looks at different cleanup scenarios and determines the cost, feasibility and makes recommendations for action.

The Feasibility Study and the proposed cleanup methods and standards are driven by the anticipated future land use.  The community has maintained that the land should be restored to its original condition that is safe for agriculture, religious and cultural practices and dwellings.  The other factor is cost.  Funding is often a limiting factor in military cleanup operations.  It is important that U.S. Representative Hirono and Senators Inouye and Akaka hear from the community that we want the military to clean up these lands to the highest and safest level possible.  They can ensure that there is ample funding for the cleanup programs in Hawai’i.

At this phase of the cleanup process, the Marines are considering several remedial options including No Action (leave the munitions in place), Land Use Controls (LUC; signs and fences), surface clearance and subsurface clearance.

Subsurface clearance is necessary for the land to be deemed safe enough to build structures and conduct unrestricted farming and other activities.  However, the Marines have said that in order to do subsurface clearance, the entire land would have to be graded, including destroying cultural sites.   Or the sites could be preserved but access would be forever restricted.    We believe that these are false choices.  It is possible to work with knowledgeable cultural practitioners to detect and remove munitions found within cultural sites without destroying cultural sites.   This type of work is already happening in Makua.

The Marine Corps’ Draft Remedial Investigation Report can be downloaded hereComments on the Draft are due January 1, 2011.

Fact sheets on the Marine Corps’ Waikane RAB can be found here, including fact sheets about the Draft Remedial Investigation Report and the proposed Feasibility Study.

Additional handouts on the Remedial Investigation report and the Feasibility Study can be found here.

We are advocating for 100% subsurface clearance to the greatest extent possible, and working closely with qualified and knowledgeable cultural practitioners and family members with ancestral ties those lands to determine how to remove munitions from sensitive cultural areas.   The desired future use would be to have the restoration of Hawaiian cultural practices and agriculture and the establishment of learning and healing centers.

Submit Comments on the Draft Remedial Investigation (RI) and proposed Feasibility Study (FS) to:

Randall Hu:  randall.hu@usmc.mil

Captain Derek George: derek.george@usmc.mil

David Henkin, Community Co-Chair of the Waikane RAB:   davidlhenkin@yahoo.com

Deadline for comments on the Feasibility Study proposed options is January 1, 2011.

Background:

Waikane is a very culturally significant area for Native Hawaiians.  Its very name – Waikane – meaning the water of Kane, one of the four principal dieties in the Hawaiian pantheon – speaks to the importance of this area. The valley is also very important for its abundant fresh water and rich kalo (taro) fields.

In the 1940s, the U.S. military leased nearly 1000 acres of land in Wai’ahole and Waikane Valleys for training with an agreement to return the land in its original condition.   One of the families whose land was used  was the Kamaka family, who are ancestral to the area.  The military used 187 acres of Kamaka family land in Waikane valley.  This happened to be the area of the heaviest munitions impacts.  After the land was returned to the family in the 1970s, Raymond Kamaka began farming the land until unexploded ordnance began to turn up.  When he asked the Marine Corps to clean up the munitions as agreed, the Marines instead moved to condemn the property.   After a long legal and political battle the land was condemned. Raymond refused to accept the court’s ruling and the “blood money” from the military.

The surrounding 800+ acres of Waikane training area has been transferred to various public and private land owners.

In 2003, the Marines announced plans  to expand jungle warfare training in Waikane aimed at fighting insurgencies in the Philippines.  The community came out in strong opposition to the Marines’ plans and called instead for the clean up and return of the land.   The jungle warfare idea was scrapped, but the Marines refused to discuss clean up at that time.

Then quietly around 2006, the Marine Corps officially “closed” Waikane as an active range, which triggered the Department of Defense Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP) and the commencement of clean up procedures.   Clean up programs under the Department of Defense often  have a joint community-military Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) to monitor and advise on the clean up process.  Waikane impact area (the 187 acre Kamaka parcel) has the highest hazard rating, and therefore highest clean up priority, of all sites in Hawai’i.

The Marine Corps’ Waikane Valley RAB began in 2007.  It overseas only the Marine Corps clean up on the Kamaka parcel in Waikane.

Meanwhile the Army Corps of Engineers began a clean up of munitions in the surrounding portions of Waikane valley under a different program called the Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS).   The Army program is several years further along than the Marine Corps clean up. It does not have a RAB.

2. Army Corps of Engineers Waikane Training Area Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) Restoration Advisory Board

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently held an informational meeting on its project to cleanup the formerly used defense site (FUDS) Waikane Training Area, which encompasses approximately 800+ acres surrounding the 187-acre Marine Corps/Kamaka parcel.   The USACE is inviting the public to apply for membership on a Restoration Advisory Board for its cleanup project.  If there are at least ten people interested, it will create a RAB for that site.

The deadline for applying to join the USACE Waikane Training Area RAB is December 4, 2010.  Download, complete and submit the RAB Community Interest Form to

Clayton Sugimoto

c/o Wil Chee – Planning, Inc.

1400 Rycroft Street, Suite 928

Honolulu, Hawaii 96814

Phone: 808-955-6088

Fax: 808-942-1851

E-mail: wcp@lava.net

OR

Walter Nagai

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District

Building 252, Attention: CEPOH-PP-E

Fort Shafter, Hawaii 96858-5440

Phone: 808-438-1232

Fax: 808-438-6930

E-mail: walter.t.nagai@usace.army.mil

Below are fact sheets handed out at t he USACE Waikane RAB:

UXO Safety Fact Sheet

RAB Fact Sheet, Nov 2010

RAB Community Interest Form, Nov 2010

MMRP Fact Sheet

Take a Stand to Defend Lualualei Farm Land!

Take a Stand to Defend Lualualei Farm Land!

There will be an important community meeting for protection of agricultural land in Lualualei. The Wai’anae Sustainable Community Plan final draft will be discussed. The developers who want to industrialize Wai’anae have inserted a “purple spot” of urban zoning into the plan in the middle of historically productive agricultural land in Lualualei. This is also an important site to Maui the Demigod, who according to legend was born in Lualualei.

PLEASE HELP WITH THESE TWO ACTIONS:

1. The Concerned Elders of Wai’anae are organizing sign holding   Wednesday, November 10, 4:00 pm at the MacDonalds in Lualualei

2. Come to the Public Meeting.

CALL TO ACTION!

Public Meeting

Wednesday Nov. 10, 2010 – 7PM

Wai‘anae Sustainable Community Plan

St. Philip’s Church in Ma‘ili

87-227 St. John’s Road, Waianae, HI 96792

KEEP WAI’ANAE COUNTRY!

For more information: http://bit.ly/purplespot, call 524-8220 or marti@kahea.org.

• Until the 1980s, this land was a working farm.

• A corporation from Japan evicted the farmer, to try to build a golf course. Waiʻanae residents protested, and the golf course proposal failed.

• Today, developers are working to change the zoning from agricultural to industrial. These developers want to build a new industrial park on this land.

• This is one of three major proposals to expand industrial land use in Lualualei Valley–including new landfills—right next to existing farms, schools, and homes.

Samson Reiny writes in the Hawaii Independent:

Another feature that differentiates Waianae from other rural areas is that its valleys aren’t always reminiscent of the pastoral idyllic. Waianae is also home to vast military operations and is the place where much of the island’s waste is sent.

The Army has leased Makua Valley since World War II for live-fire training, and the Navy commandeers over 9,000 acres in Lualualei valley for ordnance storage and radio communications.

The PVT Landfill in Waianae is the island’s only industrial waste disposal and is situated on Lualualei Naval Access Road.

“Words of War, Lessons of Peace: A Multigenerational Symposium for Peacemaking”

From the AP:

The University of Hawaii is set to hold a symposium on war and peace during the 1940s.

“Words of War, Lessons of Peace: A Multigenerational Symposium for Peacemaking” will feature the personal experiences and recollections of civilians impacted by World War II.

Among those scheduled to speak are Izumi Hirano, who survived the dropping of an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and Helene Minehira, whose family was evicted from their home near Pearl Harbor solely on the basis of race.

The event is to start at 1 p.m. on Nov. 21, at the Manoa campus’ Architecture Auditorium.

Among its co-sponsors are the UH Manoa law school, the Center for Oral History and the Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution.

Protect Kaho’olawe Ohana: Stopping the Bombing – 20th anniversary

Next week is the 20th anniversary of the end to Navy bombing of Kaho’olawe.

10.10.22 20th anniv end of bombing

Protect Kaho’olawe Ohana

Stopping the Bombing – 20th anniversary

Friday, October 22, 2010

5:30 pm to 9:00 pm

UH Manoa Center for Hawaiian Studies Halau o Haumea

FREE

Music By:

Mailani, Kupa’aina, Steve Maii, The Helm Ohana, Blue Ocean Thai Organismz

Presentations by Craig Neff of the Hawaiian Force and Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli

Film Premier of: “Mai Ka Piko Mai” Homecoming of Early Warriors and Hokule’a

+++

Teri Okita of  Hawaii News Now did a story about the upcoming anniversary “Life after bombing on Kahoolawe”.   Here are a few excerpts:

50 years of target shooting left puncture wounds in the earth. The island lacks fresh water sources, and over a century of overgrazing by ranch cattle, sheep, and wild goats took its toll – resulting in severe soil erosion.

Much of Kahoolawe is covered with dry, dusty, red hardpan dirt. It’s only been in the last six or seven years that they’ve been able to grow viable vegetation. Greenery, like the small aalii plant, was virtually unseen ten years ago. Now, they’re sprouting up in concentrated areas – small but important victories for the restoration team.

Along Kahoolawe’s coastline, run-off from heavy rains have led to sediment build-up. There are also remnants of some ship-to-shore target areas, but for the most part, they’re ‘preserving’ rather than ‘restoring’ the island’s bluffs, shores, and marine life.

“It’s very unique. Because of the lack of human interference, stocks (of marine life) that we have are special. It’s a very unique and special place,” explains Dean Tokishi, KIRC’s ocean program manager.

One of Hawaii’s most pristine reef ecosystems lies in an area called Honokoa. Conservationists found ancient fishing shrines in perfect condition nearby, and King David Kalakaua is said to have landed there to cleanse himself in the ocean’s pure waters. The hope is: it will stay this way.

Action alert Guam: Realize Our Destiny: Community Response to the Record of Decision

We Are Guahan

WeAreGuahan.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 23, 2010; Guam- With the release of the DoD’s Record of Decision, it has become evident that the Department of Defense will continue to disregard concerns voiced by the people of Guam. Guam’s local residents will be the demographic most severely impacted by plans to increase the US military’s presence within the region through one of the largest peacetime military relocations in modern history. We Are Guahan will be hosting a rally on Oct. 1 to unite the community in response.

The island participated actively within the NEPA process, with over 10,000 comments submitted in response to the Draft EIS from the community and Government of Guam agencies. Despite the outpouring of community involvement, the Final EIS failed to incorporate many of the island’s concerns into their final plans.

Guam’s community and local leaders presented a united front in opposition to the condemnation of land and the taking of more sites considered culturally and historically significant to the island’s indigenous people. However, the Department of Defense’s Record of Decision (ROD) indicates that the condemnation of land through eminent domain is still a possibility. Although decisions regarding the use of Pågat, an ancient Chamorro village and burial site, have been delayed, the site remains affected by the Department of Defense’s preferred alternatives for live-ammunition exercises.

Guam boasts one of the highest rates of enlistment into the United States Armed Forces per capita. Guam’s soldiers have fought and defended American values at rates higher than any other state within the Continental US, but remain excluded from discussions that greatly determine their futures. As a United States colony, residents of Guam lack any real control of their home and its resources. The lack of Democracy involved in the processes surrounding the military build-up in Guam have prompted residents to demand a role in the decision making process.

Plans to realign US troops stationed in Okinawa highlight a critical moment in the island’s history. Residents are uniting in efforts to empower themselves, protect their home’s resources, and shape their futures.

We Are Guahan invites all residents to participate in an island-wide rally to demonstrate unity, commemorate the island’s many sacrifices, and to empower the community to prepare for their home’s future. The rally is scheduled for Friday, October 1st from 4:30pm to 7:30pm at Adelup.

OCTOBER 11: Day of Action to Confront US Militarism in the Americas

OCTOBER 11: Day of Action to Confront US Militarism in the Americas

please circulate widely

Call: Day of Action to Confront US Militarism in the Americas

October 11, 2010

Our organizations urge you to join us in a National Day of Action to Confront US Militarism in the Americas on Monday, October 11, 2010. October 11 is the day the United States “celebrates” the beginning of the European invasion of the Americas and when indigenous peoples mark as the 518th year of resistance to invasion and colonialism.

We represent Latin America solidarity and peace groups. We are initiating and urge others to undertake the formation of local and regional coalitions – across movements for indigenous rights, immigrant justice, fair trade, peace, human rights, labor rights, gender justice, drug policy reform and other urgent goals – to confront the growing militarism of our culture and budget, the increasing propensity to commit national resources to wars of aggression, and the militarization of U.S. foreign policy, especially in Latin America.

We are calling on local coalitions to organize creative, strong actions consistent with these themes and issues of concern in your area. In border regions, actions might focus on militarization of the border and immigration policy. In urban areas, actions might focus on the militarization of law enforcement and prisons. In areas with major military contractors, actions might focus on war for profit, and in areas where there are military bases that act as staging areas for troop deployment to other countries, actions could focus on de-funding war and bringing the troops home now.

There is no city, town, or hamlet in the United States that does not have some connection to the war machine. We urge and support the organizing of myriad creative, coordinated actions on October 11 to draw attention to that fact and to imperative to redirect resources to meet domestic needs left wanting due to our nation’s expenditures on war.

To list and promote your local action [click here to add to our calendar]. For organizing materials you can adapt for your local needs go to www.lasolidarity.org. To have your local organizing materials posted so that others can adapt them, send them to info@lasolidarity.org.

Background

The United States spends as much on its war-making capabilities as the rest of the world combined. It has nearly 1,000 military facilities on foreign soil. It is engaged in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and supporting armed conflict in Pakistan, Somalia, Philippines, Mexico, Colombia, Palestine, and other countries. And it is threatening war against Iran.

The Obama administration has accelerated the militarization of US relations with Latin America, virtually erasing the goodwill with which Latin Americans welcomed the change of government in Washington. In June the United States signed an agreement with the government of Costa Rica – a pacifist nation that outlawed its army in 1948 – allowing unrestricted access for 7,000 Marines from 46 ships, armed with missiles, 200 helicopters, and other assault weapons; numbers totally disproportionate and inappropriate for official claims that it is to fight the drug war. This mobilization follows a basing agreement with Colombia for the use of seven bases; the recognition of a coup government and construction of a new naval base in Honduras; continued expansion of the U.S. military base in Curacao just over the horizon from Venezuela’s oil fields; and the military response to Haiti’s devastating earthquake in January 2010.

The goals for the Oct. 11 Day of action are to support:

1. Cancellation of the threatening and unnecessary U.S. military exercises in Costa Rica

2. Closing the School of the Americas (now Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation)

3. Ending the U.S. military presence on bases in Colombia, Honduras, Guantanamo, and elsewhere in hemisphere.

4. Ending the Merida Initiative and the increased militarization of the US border with Mexico

5. The proposal by Rep. Barney Frank  to start reducing the social debt by cutting the US military budget immediately by 25%

Local coalitions are invited include their own goals for planned actions.

This Call is issued by members of the Latin America Solidarity Coalition and other organizations working for peace and justice. (www.lasolidarity.org). To add your organization to the list of co-sponsors go to http://www.LASolidarity.org/endorse

Original Co-Sponsors:

Latin America Solidarity Coalition

Alliance for Global Justice

School of the Americas Watch

Fellowship of Reconciliation-USA

Campaign for Labor Rights

National Immigrant Solidarity Network

Nicaragua Network

United for Peace and Justice

INTERCONNECT

U.S.- El Salvador Sister Cities

Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES)

Guatemala Human Rights Commission

CODEPINK

ANSWER Coalition

Witness for Peace

SOA Watch – Oakland

Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish

Committee on US-Latin America Relations (CUSLAR)

Illinois SOA Watch

Latin America Solidarity Committee, Milwaukee

Colectivo Morazan

Nicaragua Center for Community Action, Bay Area

School of the Americas Watch – Puget Sound

Syracuse Caribbean Latin America Coalition

Central New York S.O.A. Abolitionists

Nicaragua Solidarity Committee – Chicago