SCOTA was created in 2019 with the goal of presenting one Coffee Hour event a month at 4200 Cedar Ave in Minneapolis. Coffee Hours are a tradition begun by the Central America Resource Center in the 1980s in Minneapolis. An hour-long talk followed by discussion while serving coffee and bagels was a weekly event with regular audiences on Saturday mornings for many years in the 80s and 90s. SCOTA hosted well-attended Coffee Hours at the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020 before the Covid-19 Virus sent Minnesota into “stay-at-home” mode and ended public meetings.
WAMM COMMITTEE
Solidarity Committee on the Americas (SCOTA)
SCOTA educates about the role of U.S. foreign policy in the military and economic oppression and intervention throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. SCOTA is action-oriented, focusing on challenging U.S. hegemonic policies in the region and supporting the right of self-determination for all.
SCOTA began planning educational “Coffee Hours” on Saturday mornings on a monthly basis in November 2019. We will promote and participate in emergency demonstrations in response to U.S. economic and military incursions in the Americas. We will work with the many local and national organizations focusing on areas within the Americas.
MEETINGS
Time: 6:00 PM every Wednesday
Location: Zoom
Contact: Call 612-827-5364 to receive a link to join the meeting.
Email: solidaritycommitteeofamericas@gmail.com
Statements
(December 2025)
12/15/2025 — The Solidarity Committee on the Americas condemns Trump’s ongoing war threats to invade Venezuela and overthrow President Maduro. Venezuela is a sovereign country where the people democratically and overwhelmingly voted for Maduro.
SCOTA condemns the U.S. illegal seizure of a Venezuelan Oil Tanker on its way to Cuba.
SCOTA condemns the continuing bombing of boats in the Caribbean waters which included the blatantly illegal use of double tap strikes to kill another boat of civilians.
This ongoing massacre has reached a death toll of 87 people killed without trials on boats which did not threaten our country.
Using millions of dollars to blow up (boat) drivers and civilians from countries across the region should embarrass the U.S. (with a military budget of 895 billion dollars).
SCOTA condemns Trump’s buildup of military ships and forces into the region.
SCOTA condemns the illegal seizure of Venezuelan air space, Operation Southern Spear, and the withdrawal of the American consulate.
SCOTA condemns the U. S. provoking conflict with U.S. F-18 fighter jets entering Venezuelan airspace.
SCOTA condemns all of Trump’s escalations towards war against a peaceful neighbor. This is a disgusting display of disregard for the lives of everyone who would die in such a war.
SCOTA demands our representatives stop recognizing the “SOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” and start recognizing the sovereignty of our neighbors.
The democratically elected government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has been more friendly to the Indigenous people of Minnesota than our own government has. The working people of this country don’t need to steal the oil of our neighbors to provide for the poor, as they freely give it to us in solidarity. This is a war for Exxon, not for us!
These war crimes against civilians are proceeding without regard for international law, our own laws on congressional approval for war, the political will of the American people, or the best interests of our region.
SCOTA Demands:
NO WAR WITH VENEZUELA!
NO MORE TROOPS ON FOREIGN SOIL!
U.S. HANDS OFF VENEZUELA!
NO BLOOD FOR OIL!
Events
Webinars
SCOTA has co-hosted and publicized several important webinars:
Cuba Contains Covid-19 Saving Lives at Home and Around the World hosted by the National Network on Cuba
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Who Killed Berta Cáceres? with Guardian journalist Nina Lakhani discusses her new book Who Killed Berta Caceres: Dams, Death Squads, and an Indigenous Defender's Battle for the Planet by Hands off Honduras
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Action Resolutions
SCOTA developed a state legislative resolution regarding Latin America.
Sandy Pappas Letter to Governor Walz on Cuba and Covid
Click here for a document showing the Steps towards Passing Action Resolutions with Elected Officials compiled by San Francisco activists.
On Thursday, August 20, 2020 the Savings Lives Resolution passed unanimously by The Sacramento Central Labor Council. The Sacramento Central Labor Council includes 90 union affiliates with more than 170,000 working people in 6 counties- Sacramento, Yolo, Amador, El Dorado, Placer and Nevada.
Chicago is planning a September 1, 2020 day of action to urge Aldermen to sign a proposed resolution. They have created How Chicago Benefits from Normalizing Relations with Cuba document, a Dear Alderman letter, and a Press Release.
Here is a list of U.S.-Cuba Resolutions that have passed in the U.S.
Seattle passed a resolution in 2021.
Press Releases
SCOTA has written press releases on the following:
11/14/19 US Hands Off Bolivia protest
05/04/20 Cuba Saving Lives
News & Fact Sheets
Can Recombinant Human Interferon Alpha-1b Nasal Drops Protect Medical Staff from COVID-19?
Fact Sheet on Cuban Health Achievements: 11-page document from Saving Lives Campaign 01/15/21; and 2-page Executive Summary
