DAYS OF ACTION IN SUPPORT OF GI RESISTANCE & RIGHTS!
DECEMBER 8-10, 2006

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 the 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.

We call for the following:

*SUPPORT for WAR OBJECTORS
*PROTECT THE RIGHT TO CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION
*PROTECT LIBERTIES & HUMAN RIGHTS OF GI’S
*SANCTUARY FOR WAR OBJECTORS

Objection by military servicepersons is a healthy and important assertion of democracy, particularly in a country where the decisions to invade, to maintain occupation, and to engage in widespread ongoing torture, human rights violations and war crimes are made undemocratically in violation of the US Constitution and international law and based on continuing lies and disinformation.

Showing widespread support for soldiers who resist is one of the best ways those of us outside the military can encourage the growing momentum of the GI resistance movement—a movement that has the direct power to end this war. Supporting GI resistance, together with counter recruitment and draft resistance, is key to stopping illegal war and occupation ourselves. If the government can't recruit or draft enough new troops, and if troops refuse illegal immoral orders, it will help end the war and occupation and help prevent the next one. Look at the Vietnam War!

We urge you to join us December 8-10th for a weekend of action in support of GI Resistance and GI Rights!

Sincerely,
Courage to Resist
War Resisters Support Campaign
Gold Star Families for Peace
Bob Watada and Rosa Sakanishi, father and step-mother of Lt. Ehren Watada
Darrell Anderson, Iraq veteran and war resister
DeDe Miller,Gold Star Families for Peace
Stephen Funk, former marine and first resister of Iraq war
Anita Dennis, mother of resister Darrell Anderson
Jeff Paterson, former marine and first resister Gulf War I
Sara Rich M.S.W., mother of Spc. Suzanne Swift
Edward Hasbrouck, draft resister

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. Visit www.CouragetoResist.org for more info and to contribute towards building this campaign.

Below you'll find the following information:

*How to Get Involved
*Why Your Support is Crucial
*Explanation of the Four Areas of Support

GET INVOLVED!
Plan a support event in your community.
Here's How:

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.

PUBLIC ACTION:
Organize a vigil, demonstration, human billboard, non-violent direct action, procession, leafleting, etc in your community.

DELEGATION:
Organize a delegation to visit your local Congressional Representative or the Canadian Consulate or visit a US embassy or consulate if you are outside the US

LETTER WRITING:
This could also involve a letter writing camping, delivering letters or having many people sign a joint letter. Writing letters to the editor is another idea.

EDUCATIONAL EVENT:
This could be a video screening of Sir, no Sir or other relevant videos, speakers, performers, food, drink and discussion.

2)ORGANIZING KIT:
Download the organizing kit HERE or visit www.CouragetoResist.org

We will provide a updates and a downloadable mobilizing and education kit: a flyer and poster with space for your local info/dates, a sample press release, background materials and audio visual and informational resources-- everything you need for a teach in or public event!

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!
Send to: courage@riseup.net

Please include the following info:
*Your group or organization, and a contact person's e-mail and phone number.
*Info about the support action or event (what, where, when, etc.)
*Public contact info: a website (if you have one), e-mail, etc.

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. You can do this by continuing to educate your community about the GI resistance movement and why support is crucial. Sign up to participate in the GI Resistance Alert Network that will alert you when and how support is needed: http://www.couragetoresist.org/alerts



WHY YOUR SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL:

Your participation in these days of action—and beyond-- is crucial to realizing 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!

HERE is an explanation of the below four areas of support:

*SUPPORT for WAR OBJECTORS
*PROTECT THE RIGHT TO CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION
*PROTECT LIBERTIES & HUMAN RIGHTS OF GI’S
*SANCTUARY FOR WAR OBJECTORS

“I’d rather spend a year in jail than participate in an illegal war and be part of the machine suppressing Iraq” -Sgt. Ricky Closing, who served as a U.S. Army Interrogator in Iraq in 2004 and 2005, plead guilty to "absent without leave" on Thursday October 12 at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina.

Visit www.CouragetoResist.org for more information, updates and to get involved today!