Carolyn was a little afraid. And for good reason. On any other day, the base is open and most people can go on and off freely. But this protest has become a major event and the emphasis has pitted strong opposition to a policy and U.S. involvement in human rights violations. The SOA has become controversial not only among church and social action groups and Amnesty International, but in Congress.
Funding is now an issue with attempts to either move or shut the school down.
Data is not easily available. The school has been associated with graduating terrorists and murderers, and has sometimes been dubbed the School of Assassins or School of Coups. In essence, the school trains Latin and Central American military personnel. What they teach has been at the center of the conflict over funding and the U.S. endorsement of questionable activities. The State Department has been involved in investigating the operation.