A year ago the notion that the School of the Americas would be closed down was a stretch, even for peace activists who have long been trying to shutter what they view is a training ground for Latin American assassins and human rights violators. But as the annual November protests outside the Fort Benning, Ga. headquarters swell to 20,000 this week, activists have reason for hope: Barack Obama is the president-elect. Closer to home in Colorado, Democrat Dennis Apuan, a longtime peace activist from Colorado Springs, was just elected to the state legislature — further signaling seismic social shifts.