The first major 1999 events in the Campaign to close the U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA) will be May 1-4 in Washington, D.C. SOA Watch has announced a Saturday rally at the White House, non-violent civil disobedience training on Sunday, a prayer vigil and civil disobedience action at the Pentagon on Monday morning, and lobbying and a Capitol steps vigil on Monday and Tuesday. Saturday evening, a Celebration of Hope Benefit Concert will feature Pete Seeger, Odetta, Jon Fromer, and Grupo Moraz‡n from El Salvador.

Pax Christi USA and Pax Christi Metro DC are joining the effort, arranging housing for participants and sponsoring a noon Mass on Sunday near the Capitol. After 7,000 turned out at the protest in Georgia last November, organizers hope for even more in Washington in May. Lobbying members of the new 106th Congress is essential: Last September's vote in the House to cut funding for SOA barely lost, 212 votes to 201. Plans are also proceeding for another massive protest rally at SOA in Fort Benning, Ga. Nov. 19-21, 1999. SOA Watch is seeking 10,000 participants, with 5,000 willing to "cross the line" in civil disobedience, and 100 willing to risk prison.