Where we are at. An appeal for support
Jeff Paterson
Courage to Resist Project Director October 15, 2008
couragetoresist.org/donate
I’m proud to report that we have more than doubled the number of
military objectors
advised or directly supported since last year. To do this, our
organizing collective has stepped up to the challenge in major ways,
and we increased our staffing as well.
We’re now attempting to do this work in the context of an
unprecedented economic meltdown that financially affects
every one of
us in some way. Even prior to that, we were competing with a
historic
presidential election campaign for your donation. Of course we
hold out
hope for a new foreign policy not based on brutal occupations, but
we’re not holding our breath. If change does happen, it will take
time
for any new foreign policy to trickle down to the courageous men and
women who are refusing to fight today.
Quick facts about our budget:
- 86% of our entire budget has come directly from folks
such as you.
- We currently rely on approximately 2,000 contributors
across the U.S.
- The average donation we receive is just over
$40.
- About half of our budget goes directly to supporting
individual resisters.
- The remaining 14% of our budget comes from small
grants made by progressive foundations.
Recently, we brought on board Sarah Lazare as Project
Coordinator who has hit the ground running working with resisters,
publishing articles, and collaborating with our allies in the justice
and peace movement. Sarah is a former union organizer, Democracy
Now! intern, and volunteer at a refugee camp in Lebanon.
Also new to our staff is our Office Manager Adam
Seibert, who like me is a former Marine. Adam served in Somalia
prior to going UA / AWOL under threat of another combat deployment.
I’ve never felt better about our staff and organizing collective.
We’re undertaking urgent and unique work that directly contributes
to
ending war. However, we are currently running a $4,000 monthly
deficit.
Whether we can move forward with our work to support the troops who
refuse to fight is in large part based on your shared commitment to
this project.
For a review of our current work with resisters Tony Anderson,
Blake Ivy, Robin Long, and our women and men fighting to remain in
Canada, please check our homepage. We have also posted an organizational timeline of
action that details our work since 2003.
Today I’m asking that you consider a contribution of $100
or more,
or become a sustainer at $20 or more a month. With your
direct
assistance, I’m confident we’ll be able to move forward
together in
challenging our government’s policies of empire. Together we have
the
power to end the war.
couragetoresist.org/donate
Sincerely,
Jeff Paterson
Courage to Resist Project Director
First U.S. military serviceperson to refuse to fight in Iraq
Photo by Mathieu Grandjean /
www.mathieugrandjean.com
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