In 2001, the School of the Americas, located at Fort Benning, Ga., changed its name to the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, but the controversy surrounding the school hasn't changed. Every year in late November, a demonstration is held at the gates of WHINSEC to honor victims of a 1989 massacre.

Six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter were murdered in the massacre by a group of soldiers, which included a majority of SOA graduates.

"Graduates from that school have been connected with human rights violations," said Gerry Fischer, assistant director of University Ministry. "This is not just a history lesson; it's something that continues today. There's no accountability on the part of the institution."

For the past 10 years, a group from Marquette has traveled to Georgia to participate in a vigil and teach-in.

"JUSTICE was formed as a result of going to the SOA," said Alison Griffith, a member of JUSTICE and a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences. "These people were being inspired and impassioned to do something on Marquette's campus. The trip is now annually done."

Peter McCuskey, JUSTICE chair and a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, said JUSTICE sees this event as essential to Jesuit values.

"The Ignatian Teach-In and School of the Americas Vigil reflect a mission that we see as fundamental to a Jesuit university," McCuskey said. "The trip allows students and faculty to learn and to gain an understanding of solidarity with others from across the country and around the world."

This is the largest gathering of Jesuit schools and students in the country, according to Fischer.

"They talk about the issues that are going on today including the SOA and they bring in speakers that are prominent," Fischer said. "It's a chance for students to talk to other students. They get to live out their values of justice and seeking faith expressed in a concrete way."

This year more than 50 Marquette students are signed up to go to WHINSEC. The group will be leaving today by bus and will stay for two days. Though MUSG denied funding to the SOA group, those involved said is didn't really affect their plans.

Fischer said although MUSG has contributed to the trip in past years, students have typically paid for half the trip.

MUSG denied funding for the trip because of an incomplete form, which Griffith said she worked on. The section she left blank was the one that detailed where the MUSG funds would specifically go. Griffith said this occurrence led to a greater response from the Marquette community.

"I think it led to a great amount of passion," Griffith said. "We talked more about (the trip) and why we value it, more people had the opportunity to hear about it. We're thankful to the Jesuits contributing and people really chipping in to make it possible."

Both McCuskey and Griffith went on the trip last year.

"I was impressed and inspired by the strength of the Jesuit community represented there," McCuskey said. "The climate of action, change and solidarity was exciting to take part in – I feel as though I learned to see how social justice issues are ultimately tied together.

"To participate in the event with 20,000 other people really inspires a sense of hope."

Griffith said her experience was intense, yet inspiring.

"I think that it really is a valuable experience," she said. "It doesn't just teach (people who attend). It is cathartic for people who have been through these tragedies, for people to be remembered," she said.

The event hasn't always been so large, but it has grown to be a premier event, Fischer said.

"The teach-in and vigil are important for Marquette students because they reflect values fundamental to Marquette as a Jesuit university," McCuskey said. "To go and learn and network with other Jesuit students helps us gain a sense of placement and understanding in the social justice community.

"More than anything, they seek to expose the ongoing abuse and violation of human rights that is occurring in our country. The teach-in and vigil call us to action, to stand up against this injustice in our own country."