In Iraq, Spc Eli Israel pledges to
resist war Chris Capps resists deployment, gets
out Agustín Aguayo Pacific
Northwest events U.S. Social Forum session on GI
resistance Message from resister Kyle
Snyder
In Iraq, Spc Eli Israel pledges to resist war
Courage to Resist. June 21, 2007 On June 19, Army Spc Eleonai “Eli” Israel put himself at great personal risk by making the courageous decision to refuse further participation in the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Having already served over a year in Iraq, the 26-year-old from Arlington, Virginia told his command that he will no longer be a combatant. Eli is stationed at Camp Victory in Baghdad with JVB Bravo Company, 1-149 Infantry of the Kentucky Army National Guard and intends to seek a discharge as a conscientious objector. Yesterday, Eli’s urgent message from Baghdad buzzed around the Internet: I have told them that I will no longer play a ‘combat role’ in this conflict or ‘protect corporate representatives,’ and they have taken this as ‘violating a direct order.’ I may be in jail or worse in the next 24 hours. Please rally whoever you can, call whoever you can, bring as much attention to this as you can. I have no doubt that the military will bury me and hide the whole situation if they can. I'm in big trouble. I'm in the middle of Iraq, surrounded by people who are not on my side. Please help me. Please contact whoever you can, and tell them who I am, so I don't ‘disappear.’ After receiving support and advice from a number of organizations, including Courage to Resist and Iraq Veterans Against the War, Eli has sent this update today: Thank you for your support. I am currently "OK", thanks in no small part I'm sure to the voices that have spoken up in the name of peace. I don't know what the military's next steps are going to be..... Read more, including Eli's recent blog posts from Iraq
Chris Capps resists deployment, gets out Like tens of thousands of other troops, Army Communications Specialist Chris Capps recently went AWOL. After returning from a full tour of duty in Baghdad, Iraq in 2006, Chris left the 440th Signal Battalion in Darmstadt, Germany this March in order to refuse immediate deployment to Afghanistan. The New Jersey native surrendered to military authorities at Fort Sill, Oklahoma on May 8 and was discharged from the Army on May 11. Chris now lives with his wife in Germany. This is his story. Courage to Resist. June 20, 2007 My name is Chris Capps. I joined the Army Reserves in 2004 looking to earn money for college and basically to become independent. I was living with my parents in New Jersey. I did well in basic training. I had the highest PT (physical training) score, and I was an honor graduate in AIT (Advanced Infantry Training). Figuring I did well in basic and AIT, I signed up to go active duty. Life in the military is exactly as it sounds—life in the military. I was at the bottom of an extremely incompetent authoritarian hierarchy. I was an outstanding soldier by every measurable aspect, so in many ways I was treated better then my peers. But I never really adopted the “Army mentality.” ...I don't believe in this war. I would like to see more people choosing not to deploy. I think this is the only direct and effective resistance that is going to make this war impossible to go on forever. If the politicians refuse to listen to the people, then the people need to take action. If we had resistance throughout the military then we could finally end this war here and now.
Agustín Aguayo speaks out in Pacific Northwest Iraq combat veteran and war resister speaks out against war, Oregon, Washington State events July 9-18 “Before I left for Iraq I searched deep within me, I concluded that if I go over there I can’t take a life. I ultimately said I’ll go, but I’m definitely a conscientious objector. I’m not willing to cross that line, no matter what I can’t take a life.” Two years later, after his application for discharge as a conscientious objector was denied by the Pentagon, Army Spc. Agustín Aguayo went AWOL in order to resist redeploying to Iraq. He will explain why he chose jail instead of redeploying to Iraq. Agustín will be joined by his wife, Helga, who led a grassroots campaign for justice and freedom for him and all military war resisters. Speaking tour sponsored by Courage to Resist with the help of many Pacific Northwest friends. Monday, July 9 - Portland
U.S. Social Forum workshop on GI resistance Another World is Possible! Another U.S. is Necessary! June 27-July 1 in Atlanta, Georgia. GI Resistance and Solidarity Movement Against War and Empire workshop presented by Courage to Resist, the Catalyst Project, and Iraq Veterans Against the War. June 29, 2007, 1pm in the Choir Room at the Trinity United Methodist Church. There are over two and a half people million that do the work of the US military and millions more of their family members that come from our communities. GI resistance was key in stopping the Vietnam War and is a key part of a people power strategy (along with counter recruitment, direct action, and community organizing) that can end the US war in Iraq and the underlying policies of empire. If you will be attending the Social Forum, check out our workshop if you are active duty or a veteran, military family member, or a grassroots organizer and want to support soldiers that have the courage to resist and the ability to stop US war. The G.I. resistance/solidarity movement is made up of organizations and people engaged in work, ranging from counseling to legal advocacy to political campaigns supporting public resisters and their families. Currently there is no umbrella, network, or clearinghouse where we can all come together to exchange information, coordinate and collaborate, and strategize together. At the Social Forum we aim to bring together the different elements of this movement to build more cohesion and strengthen our work and our movement. We see this session as a convergence where conversations may start, but the primary goal is to build and strengthen relationships, which can then move forward with increased communication and collaboration. Additional workshop details via ussf2007.com
A message from Army Spc. Kyle Snyder
I first linked up with Courage to Resist after deciding to return to the United States from Canada in October of 2006 and then being denied for a second time a discharge from military service. Courage to Resist is an organization that has helped many soldiers, including myself who have taken a vital stance in refusing to redeploy to Iraq. I want to thank everyone within the Courage to Resist organization for all of their support over the past months in providing much needed financial assistance as well as giving me a heightened sense of well being... Thank you to everyone in this organization on behalf of myself and my wife. I don’t know where we would be today if it were not for the time spent by the members of Courage to Resist. Always, Kyle & Maleah Friesen Please make a donation to support the work of Courage to Resist.
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