Support GI Resistance and GI Rights Dec.8-10th! Join military resisters, their families, veterans and concerned community members taking public action Dec. 8-10th. Events planned in San Francisco, New York, Portland and more! Plan an event in your community.

ALSO:
Court hears appeal of imprisoned conscientious
objector Agustin Aguayo

Support GI Resistance and GI Rights Dec.8-10th!

Join military resisters, their families, veterans and concerned community members taking public action Dec. 8-10th! Events planned in San Francisco, New York, Portland, and more! Plan or attend an event in your community.

1) WHAT-WHEN-WHERE?
Decide on what type of activity to organize. Choose a date, time and place. Make a plan to get the word out and involve other groups, communities and people.

2) ORGANIZING KIT:
Download the organizing kit HERE includes a flyer with room for local info, a sample press release, and some audio
and visual resources.

3) TELL US ABOUT IT!
BEFORE: Let us know what you're planning and we will post a list to inspire others, tell the media and build momentum!
AFTER:Don't forget to send pictures and reports from your local support action ASAP! We will post reports to our website.
Send to:courage@riseup.net

4) KEEP IT UP!
Use this action to build momentum and CONTINUED SUPPORT for soldiers who have the courage to resist.

It's time for us to escalate public pressure and action in
support of the growing movement of thousands of courageous
men and women GI’s who have in many different ways followed their conscience, upholding international law, taking a
principled stand against unjust, illegal war and occupation
and stood up for their rights. Widespread public support and
pressure will help create true support for courageous troops
facing isolation and repression, and help protect their civil
liberties and human rights.

Your participation in these days of action—and beyond-- is crucial torealizing these goals: together, we do have the power to end this war and prevent the next one. As the antiwar movement builds its support for these brave people and their important actions, we hope more will take a stand if we show them they won't be alone.

Those of us outside the military must match their bravery by escalating our support for all GI resisters. They've got to know we're out here for them! We ask you to begin mobilizing your group, community and networks now. As well as educating your organization’s members, please consider hosting one or more public events to help raise awareness and build support.

Partial list of participating groups and individuals: Iraq Veterans Against the War, War Resisters Support Campaign (Canada), War Resisters League, Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, Courage to Resist, Bob Watada and Rosa Sakanishi, father and step-mother of Lt. Ehren Watada, Darrell Anderson, Iraq war veteran and war resister, Kyle
Snyder, AWOL Iraq veteran and war resister, Col. Ann Wright, 29 year US Army veteran and US diplomat who resigned in March 2003 in opposition to the Iraq war, Sara Rich, mother of
Spc. Suzanne Swift, Anita Dennis, mother of Darrell Anderson, many more!
For more info and an updated list of participating events visit : www.CouragetoResist.org

Court hears appeal of imprisoned conscientious objector Agustin Aguayo

Agustin Aguayo speaks to supporters and media outside Mission Los Angeles on September 26, 2006. photo by: Lori Hurlebaus

On November 21st, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard Agustin Aguayo's appeal in his case against the Secretary of the Army for refusing to recognize that he is a conscientious objector. About a dozen peace activists were in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. to support Agustin Aguayo in his case. The judges at the Court of Appeals issued no decision but according to attorney Peter Goldberger, this is usual. We now must wait for their written decision, which may be issued in ten days, but could take up to six months .If Agustin wins his appeal, the Army may be required to release him and give him an honorable discharge!

This is the first military conscientious objector case to come before the powerful and influential D.C. Circuit Court in the 35 years since the Vietnam War. According to Agustin's attorneys, the decision of the court in Agustin's case "will likely profoundly influence the willingness of the civilian courts to question the Executive's refusal to honor the right of U.S. military personnel to exercise their freedom of religion, including the right -- in accordance with conscience -- not to participate in war."

Since there is so far no decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals, Agustin will now need to go through all the military legal procedures brought by the Army against him.
Agustin Aguayo is still imprisoned in Germany for following his conscience and refusing a second deployment to Iraq. Please send letters of support to him today! "It makes a huge difference to have the support letters and gives him resolve and strength," says Helga Aguayo, Agustin's wife. Send letters of support to:

SPC Agustín Aguayo
Unit 29723 Box LL
APO, AE 09028-3810

Aguayo vs. the Secretary of the Army: Why this Case is Important
by attorneys Peter Goldberger, James Klimaski, and J.E. McNeil

Donations are urgently needed. Agustín has legal fees and expenses for two cases.
The case in DC federal court, and his military case with the U.S. Army.
There will be additional costs for the attorney and family to travel to Germany.
For additional information about Agustin's case and to donate visit : www.AguayoDefense.org

AWOL Iraq veteran, Kyle Snyder, continues to publicly speak out against the Iraq war and takes action against the war at home

Kyle Snyder continues to remain AWOL from the U.S. Army. Calls to Ft. Leonard Wood from Snyder's attorney, Jim Fennerty, continue to go unanswered. Yet, at the risk of arrest, Kyle continues to publicly speak out against the war in Iraq. Kyle has been travelling the country, speaking to high school students, participating in the School of the America's Watch annual demonstration at Ft. Benning, GA and volunteering with Iraq Veterans Against the War in coordination with the Common Ground Collective in New Orleans. He was among two-dozen volunteers from IVAW who spent the week in New Orlean's helping to gut houses that were flooded by hurricane Katrina in Aug 2005.

Kyle speaks to the crowd at the massive demonstration at Ft. Benning, GA

Kyle explains being AWOL and helping in New Orleans's, "I'm not doing anything negative. I'm doing what I feel I have to do as a human being. There are over 20 engineering units in the U.S military. I was part of an engineering unit. To see places that look worse than Iraq in my own country makes me sick. That they're not doing any rebuilding effort for the poor, the African-American community. They just left it here. They're not even cleaning it up; It's a disaster area. This should be first priority because the war in Iraq is not accomplishing much. The answer is in front of everybody: Start pulling troops from Iraq and rebuilding New Orleans."

View video's of Kyle in New Orlean's and at the SOA Watch annual demonstration at Ft. Benning, GA

Your help is still needed to support Kyle! Here are a few ways to support him today:
Download this flyer and help spread the word about Kyle's case.
Donate to the legal and political defense of Kyle Snyder. Send words of support to Kyle: supportkyle@couragetoresist.org