Summary of GI resistance today
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July 23, 2008
The threat of war on Iran looms larger daily. We know
that
soldiers and sailors are already thinking about the possibilities of
personal
and collective resistance to yet another illegal and unjust war.
We believe
that these troops, including the thousands currently AWOL from the U.S.
military who are given voice via heroic
public GI resisters, can be a significant factor in preventing the
Bush/Cheney
government from attacking Iran.
As the politics of an election year swirl around us, many
Americans understandably have hope for significant progressive
change ahead. One
example of this change might include a “drawdown” of troops in
Iraq. To
liberally paraphrase a well known Vietnam-era combat veteran turned war
critic,
we ask; “How do we ask someone to be the last to kill and die for an
illegal
and unjust war and occupation?” And that’s the best case
scenario.
For the past three years, the organizers, activists,
volunteers, collaborators, and supporters of Courage to Resist have been
crafting together what it means to create and sustain real support
for military
resisters. In May of 2005, we were a project in its infancy; an
ad hoc group coming
together to uphold the courageous stands of objectors Pablo
Paredes and Kevin Benderman. Today, in large part due to the
generous donations of supporters like you, we have collectively spread our
wings and established ourselves as a substantial grassroots
effort deeply
engaged in building a national GI resistance
movement.
What have we done lately with your support?
• Last week we staged vigils and
delegations to 14
Canadian Consulates across the U.S.
to support war resisters in collaboration with Veterans for Peace, Project
Safe
Haven and the War Resisters Support Campaign (Canada).
• We delivered
over
10,000 letters on behalf of
supporters to Canadian officials. Our efforts played an important role in
last
month’s Canadian Parliament resolution welcoming war resisters. Yet
with Robin Long’s
deportation this week, it’s clear that the Conservative
Harper Government is
still not listening.
• Airman
Michael Thurman, stationed at Beale AFB north of
Sacramento, California recently won a “honorable”
conscientious objector discharge from the Air Force after nine
months of
support and counseling from Courage to Resist.
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For only $1 a day—$30 a month—you could
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• A couple of weeks ago, objector PFC Ryan Jackson was released from the Charleston
military jail! Ryan faced a year
in the brig, but with civilian legal representation covered by Courage to
Resist supporters, he did only 100 days. He was convicted of being AWOL in
order to resist war. Today Ryan is starting his life anew, including
working
with Iraq Veterans Against the War and Courage to Resist to help support
other
resisters.
• Our
“Voices of GI Resistance” audio project continues
to highlight the voices of servicemembers. Recent interviews include:
PFC Jose Crespo explains why he refused to return to
Iraq on June 13—he is currently at Ft. Carson, Colorado
awaiting a possible court martial; Honorably discharged Army journalist
Matthis
Chiroux talks about why he is refusing activation from the
Inactive Ready
Reserve for Iraq
redeployment; William Shearer talks about getting out of
the Army by any means
possible after returning from Iraq.
Based on our current work with servicemembers, we know
that the men and women in the military are stretched beyond their
limits. With
little regard for physical injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or
significant
family hardships, the military is forcing more and more troops to redeploy
in
order to keep unit rolls “ready enough.” An increasing number
of troops are
seeing this as an outright betrayal. For many, this is “the final
straw” before
going AWOL or speaking out.
Building and sustaining our efforts to provide political,
emotional, and material support to these courageous resisters—often
through the
course of significant military discipline and injustice—requires the
generosity
of supporters like you. Please send your gift of $30, $50, $100 or
more today.
It’s your tax deductible gift of whatever you can afford that is
critical to
our efforts through this summer and fall in support of the troops who are
refusing to fight.
http://www.couragetoresist.org/donate
—Courage to Resist Organizing Collective
Agustín & Helga Aguayo, Max Diorio, Ayesha Gill,
Cindy
Whitman-Bradley, Jeff Paterson, Sara Rich,
Adam Seibert, David Solnit and Buff
Whitman-Bradley
“When I decided to get out of the Air Force because of my
discontent with the military and opposition to the war, Courage to Resist
helped
me every step of the way. They connected me to the resources I needed to
help
me out of my precarious situation. They offered support and assistance
like no
other organization. Courage to Resist was an indispensable part of my
resistance
to military service. Besides helping me through the arbitrary legal system
and
military formalities, they gave me friendship. They closely supported me
through
all the tribulations of the arduous conscientious objector process I
endured. Without
Courage to Resist I might still be trapped in a system I strongly oppose.
I highly
suggest supporting an organization that has helped me and many other G.I.s
resist.”
—Michael
Thurman
Recently won discharge from Air Force
as a conscientious objector
“My goal is to stay in Canada. However, I know that if I ever
wanted to come back, Courage to Resist would be there to help. After being
in Iraq,
I changed the way I think. I no longer believed in war, any wars. And I
had no faith
that I would get a fair hearing in front of a military judge. I chose not
to
give my fate over to them—I had firsthand experience of people being
treated unfairly
in Iraq.
I didn’t want to find out how they would treat a soldier like me
that refused.
I’m here in Canada
waiting for the government to put into action the June 3rd Parliament
resolution, or for my deportation letter. Whatever happens, I know that I
can
count on Courage to Resist. I just want peace to live, and for others to
have
the same.”
—Kimberly
Rivera,
Seeking refuge in Canada with her
husband and children
“Thank you for helping me find the “courage to
resist.”
While I sit here
in the Charleston,
South Carolina brig, I feel
liberated and free in my
conscience and regret nothing in my conquest to simply
rise above. Courage
to Resist has given so graciously kindness,
consideration, support and funds
for my defense. Stay strong and please help other resisters.”
—Ryan
Jackson,
Recently released from the brig for
refusing war
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