Victor Jara Update: More Arrests in Chile, But Still No Justice in the U.S.

Dear Ray, September 18th is Chile's  Independence Day, but for many the month of September is more about the heavy memories of the Chilean coup that happened 41 years ago on September 11th, 1973 and its continued legacy. As you may know, one of the most prominent victims of the military regime is the folk singer and activist Víctor Jara. Last week, three more soldiers accused of his murder were arrested in Chile and more details about his assassination and murderers have been revealed (this article is in Spanish!). Pedro Barrientos, the SOA grad who was last known to reside in Florida and has been accused of pulling the trigger, was not on the list of new arrestees, because so far the U.S. government has not acted on the extradition request issued by the Chilean Supreme Court in 2013. When our allies in Chile are making strides toward justice and accountability, we must not remain on the sidelines. Take action and demand Barrientos's extradition to stand trial in Chile HERE! As you know, our Justice for Víctor Campaign has been central to our work over the last year. In 2013, an SOA Watch delegation held a somber vigil at the gates of a U.S.-funded urban warfare training center and outside the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile on 9/11. In April, we held a Víctor Jara Memorial Forum as part of our 2014 Spring Days of Action to share the undying spirit of Jara's music. Thanks to you and thousands of SOA Watch activists around the globe, we've kept the pressure on the US Department of Justice to do the right thing by extraditing Barrientos to face justice in Chile. Now, as we oppose yet more war and intervention by the U.S. throughout the world, we must hold the killers of yesteryear to account by demanding justice for Víctor and all the other victims of the Chilean coup! Only when the current power elite see their henchmen publicly disgraced will they think twice about repeating the sins of the past. Lend your voice to the surging international chorus demanding an end to impunity and calling out: "Justice for Víctor!" In solidarity as we remember the Chilean 9/11, The SOA Watch Team Apply HERE to host a workshop at the November Vigil! Please know that the deadline for workshop applications is soon: October 3rd! Click HERE to visit the 2014 November Vigil website!  SOA Watch The movement to close the SOA is a community, and all ideas are welcome. We appreciate any feedback you might have -- positive or negative. Click here to contact SOA Watch with any questions or concerns. SOA Watch, 5525 Illinois Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20011 To make a donation to support the movement, please visit SOAW.org/donate. To make a tax deductible donation, please visit SOAW.org/educationalfund.