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In 1983, Father Roy Bourgeois entered the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Georgia by impersonating an officer. Father Bourgeois then climbed a tree next to Salvadoran barracks and loudly played the last sermon of Archbishop Oscar Romero. The activist priest\u2019s act was punished by an eighteen month prison sentence. Seven years later, Father Bourgeois moved into an apartment across the street from the SOA, and with nine other activists concerned with the training facility\u2019s direct role in Latin America\u2019s dirty wars founded the School of the Americas Watch. Ever since that time, the organization has grown into a broad grassroots movement seeking to close the School of the Americas for good. The School of Americas was closed in December of 2000, only to reopen in January 2001 under a new moniker; the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. Despite the public relations name change, the School of the Americas Watch continues to seek the closure of training facility. Following the rise of left leaning electoral victories in South America in recent years, a number of countries are no longer sending soldiers for training, including Venezuela, Uruguay and Argentina. <\/p>\n Father Roy Bourgeois will be speaking at the following local events:<\/p>\n Saturday, September 8th, 7:00 PM Meet Father Roy Bourgeois Sunday, September 9th, 7:00 PM![](\"http:\/\/www.thomasmertoncenter.org\/2005awarddinner\/roy-bourgeois.jpeg\"\/)
GUEST: Father Roy Bourgeois, Co-Founder of School of the Americas Watch<\/em><\/p>\n
\nat Frank & Jane Dorrel’s
\n3967 Shedd Terrace, Culver City 90232
\nTo reserve a seat for dinner with Father Roy
\nPlease send a check (made out to SOAW) for $25 to $50 (sliding scale) to:
\nFrank Dorrel
\nP.O. Box 3261
\nCulver City, CA 90231-3261
\nOr Call: 310-838-8131
\nEmail: fdorrel@addictedtowar.com or: fdorrel@sbcglobal.net <\/p>\n
\nSunday, September 9th, 2:30 PM
\nAgape International Spiritual Center
\n5700 Buckingham Pkwy, Culver City, CA 90230 <\/p>\n
\nAll Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena
\n132 N Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101
\n(626) 796-1172 <\/p>\n