Where we are at. An appeal for support

paterson

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