Each year, Pax Christi USA members and friends gather on Friday night prior to the annual School of the Americas Vigil and Action in Columbus, GA. Our program this year will include prayer, music, inspiring speakers and more. The program is open to the general public and all are invited to attend. Information on this year’s gathering is below.

Pax Christi USA at the SOA
The Danger of Drones and Remote Control Warfare

WHEN: Friday evening, November 16, 2012, from 6-8pm

WHERE: The Columbus Convention Center, Center Hall, 801 Front Avenue, Columbus, Georgia

WHO: Our speakers include…

  • Medea Benjamin, Co-Founder of CodePink and Global Exchange, author of Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control
  • Bill Quigley, law professor at Loyola University in New Orleans, Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace

The CIA and U.S. armed forces use drones—unmanned aerial devices—for surveillance, bombings, and assassinations in the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan. These Reaper and Predator drones perform combat missions in these countries, but are flown by USAF pilots in Creech Air Force Base in Nevada and CIA civilians in Langley, VA who are far removed from the realities on the ground. These drone attacks have devastating consequences for the citizens of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Although exact figures on casualties are impossible due to the secrecy of the program, the strikes have dramatically increased since President Obama took office. Estimates are that that for every militant target killed, 10 innocent people died. These deaths don’t make us more secure—instead, they fuel anti-American sentiments and help recruiters of terrorist groups.

Join us as we hear from Medea Benjamin and Bill Quigley on the legal, moral, political and ethical consequences of drone warfare.

Also…

Special gathering for Pax Christi USA regional and local leadership: On Saturday morning, November 17th, from 7:30-9am, members of the Pax Christi USA National Council will host an open session for Pax Christi leaders who are attending the SOA weekend. The gathering will take place in Room 207 of the Columbus Convention Center.

Represent Pax Christi at the SOA! Remember to wear your Pax Christi t-shirts and buttons and to bring your Pax Christi banners. Pax Christi members are encouraged to meet together and to march together in the procession on Sunday morning.

Highlights from last year’s event:

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