Dec. 5, 2013 issue 13 Loquitur

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Thursday Dec. 5, 2013 VOL. LV, ISSUE XIII

Inside

MACKENZIE HARRIS

Seven Cabrini students and two Cabrini Mission Corps members traveled to Fort Benning, GA to protest the School of the Americas.

8 states. 15 hours. 1 cause. BY MACKENZIE HARRIS Staff Writer

LADY CAVS PAGE 13

‘TIS THE SEASON PAGE 8

Online

www.theloquitur.com

“We know we are going to jail,” Nashua Chantal, who was arraigned on Jan. 9, said. “Our sacrifice in solidarity, we give, I give, to all the families in Latin America, and around the world to stand up against the continuous murders of children, women and men of all ages. They are stripped from their farmlands, of resources that enrich their lives. Their dignity and bodies lie in unmarked graves, and these graves of the lost souls, were taken away by the School of Americas training at Fort Benning.” From Thursday, Nov. 21 until Sunday, Nov. 24, seven Cabrini College students and two Cabrini Mission Corps missioners traveled through eight states and over 15 hours to arrive at the gates of School of Americas/Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, in Fort Benning, Georgia. According to the mission statement, SOA/WHINSEC “shall provide professional education and training to eligible military, law enforcement, and civilian personnel of nations of the Western Hemisphere within the context of the democratic

principles set forth in the Charter of the Organization of American States (Reference (d)). The WHINSEC shall foster mutual knowledge, transparency, confidence, and cooperation among the participating nations and promote democratic values, respect for human rights, knowledge and understanding of U.S. customs and traditions.” However, multiple warlords and dictators graduate from SOA/WHINSEC every year and the reality of US taxpayers’ money going towards the continuous funding of this military training is the cause of frustration and anger amongst everyone who attended the weekend protests. The Pentagon was forced to release the training manuals on Sept. 20, 1996 that were used at the SOA/WHINSEC that showed exactly what the military was doing. These manuals advocated targeting civilians, extrajudicial executions, torture, false imprisonment, and extortion. On April 22, United States District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton from the Northern District of California ordered the Pentagon to release the names of

current trainees and graduates of the SOA/WHINSEC. One of the graduates and infamous warlord, Efrain Rios Montt, is known for his Guatemalan genocide where he went on trial in January 2013 for the 70,000 accounts of murder of unarmed civilians. “I’ve never heard of anything like that before and it sounds straight up wrong,” Lance Corporal Andrew Smallacombe said. “I would have to look it up because I don’t truly understand, but I can speak for the Marines saying that is not right and in no way do I support it.” The United States essentially funds the education of warlords that have graduated from this school. Therefore, the SOA Watch is an independent organization that seeks to close the US Army School of Americas, under whatever name it is called, through vigils and fasts, demonstrations and nonviolent protests, as well as media and legislative work.

READ THE FULL STORY ONLINE

Cabrini’s annual Christmas tree lighting KEEPING THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT ALIVE PAGE 7

MAINLINE MINCER INC. PAGE 10

BY CODY CALISE Staff Writer

Several members of the Cabrini college community gathered arm and arm in anticipation of the annual Christmas tree lighting on this past brisk Tuesday night, Dec. 3. With Christmas break comes every college student’s nightmare: final exams. The lighting is just what many students need to get their minds off of finals for just an hour or so. The tree stands outside of the Holy Spirit library. The atmosphere was electric with Christmas music being heard throughout the entire campus. Cabrini’s own 89.1 WYBF-FM was in attendance. A station of food and drinks was put together as well. Hot chocolate, apple cider, Christmas cookies and brownies were all of the delicious treats that were put out for students. Students began to gather around

5:10 p.m. Each student was given a holly leaf that was to be thrown into the fire pit. The fire pit was set up right in front of the Founder’s steps. The Christmas tree lighting has become tradition for Senior Katie Pickard who has been attending the event since her freshman year. “I love coming out and seeing the tree first light, nothing can beat that,” Pickard said. This tradition can trace back to early Christian tradition. Dr. Marilyn L. Johnson, Ph.D. English professor has been speaking at the event for years says “Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’s spirit.” The goal of the event is to build Cabrini’s community as a whole; to bring both students and faculty members together in one sitting. Her goal was met. The majority of the crowd was in fact alumni, followed by students who came in and out of the event. Johnson was thrilled with the turnout.“It was one of the biggest turnouts in years,” Johnson said. READ THE FULL STORY ONLINE


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