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Add an EventAnti-War Organizers Unite to Support GI Resisters on May 10
Call for a National Day
of Action
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May 1, 2005
We urge you to join us in a "National Day of Action for GI Resisters" on Tuesday May 10, 2005. This is the day before the US military is planning to bring sailor Pablo Paredes and soldier Kevin Benderman before military court martial tribunals for their opposition to the Iraq War. They face forfeiture of pay and benefits, and military jail time.
On December 6, 2004, Navy Petty Officer Pablo Paredes refused to board his ship as it left the San Diego Naval Station in support of the Iraq War and occupation. At the time of his refusal, Pablo said he hoped his protest might inspire other GI's to refuse to take part in the war.
On January 5, 2005, Kevin Benderman refused to deploy for a second tour of duty in Iraq with the Army's Third Infantry Division. At the same time seventeen other soldiers from his unit went AWOL, two tried to kill themselves and one had a relative shoot him in the leg to avoid deploying.
Both men applied for discharge from the US military as conscientious objectors. The military has wrongly rejected both claims.*
It's time for us to escalate public pressure and action in support of Pablo, Kevin and the thousands of other courageous men and women who have followed their conscience to uphold international law and to take a principled stand against the unjust, illegal war and occupation of Iraq. It's time we had their backs.
Objection and resistance by military servicepersons is a healthy and important assertion of Democracy in a country where the decisions to invade Iraq, to maintain an occupation, and engage in widespread human right violations and torture were made undemocratically in violation of international law and based on continuing lies and disinformation.
Please join us by organizing a public demonstration, vigil or rally of support on May 10. Every action, no matter how large or small is important.
Also,
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Send letters of support and donations to cover legal fees to Pablo and Kevin via their websites listed below.
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Come to San Diego, California (Pablo) or Fort Stewart, Georgia (Kevin) to show your support during their trials.
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Write letters to the editor, and help educate your organization, church, union, school, co-workers and community.
Resisting illegal occupation and war is not a crime! The right to conscientious objection is being systematically violated by the military. Those objectors who are publicly asserting their rights are being singled out for punishment. We demand that military personnel retain their right to follow their conscience, publicly dissent and that their basic democratic rights be respected.
A better world is possible.
More info about Pablo
Paredes:
www.SwiftSmartVeterans.com
More info about Kevin Benderman:
www.BendermanDefense.org
Top: Pablo Paredes refuses to ship out in support of the Iraq War at the San Diego Naval Station pier. Bottom: Monica and Kevin Benderman outside of Fort Stewart, Georgia. *The final official rejection of Pablo Paredes' CO application from Navy HQ is expected at any time.
Courage to Resist is a new group of concerned community members, veterans and military families organizing support for military objectors to illegal war and occupation and the underlying policies of empire. We have adopted a people power strategy to weaken the pillars that support the Iraq war and occupation by supporting GI resistance, which together with counter-recruitment and draft resistance work can remove the supply of obedient troops.
Please send us a note letting us know of what you have planned: courage@riseup.net
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