War Resister Gerry Condon to speak Tues. in SF, screen powerful new film "Breaking Ranks"

Gerry Condon, Director of Project Safe Haven, will talk about the growing movement of soldiers, marines, sailors and airpersons who are refusing to fight in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Condon was an Army resister in the Vietnam war who refused orders to fight and sought refuge in Canada and Sweden. For the last 3 years, he has spent much of his time in Canada working with former U.S. military personnel who are refusing to fight in Iraq and are seeking refugee status in Canada. Project Safe Haven's main mission is to develop a network of support for the growing numbers in the U.S. military who are saying ‘NO’ to the illegal occupation of Iraq.

Condon will also show a new film following the struggle of GI resisters. "Breaking Ranks" is a moving documentary that examines the current phenomena of US soldiers seeking refuge in Canada as part of their resistance to the war effort in Iraq. With intimate access to four American military deserters, their lawyer and families, this film documents their experiences as they try to exercise their consciences amidst profound emotional, ethical and international consequences. If deported, they face the venom of mainstream American opinion and one to five years in prison. If Canada instead follows the legacy established by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau during the Vietnam War, when Canada welcomed tens of thousands of war resisters, there may well be an unprecedented crisis in U.S.-Canadian relations. Filmed over the course of the refugee process, this provocative film explores the meaning of duty through the powerful testimonies of these young soldiers. In so doing, "Breaking Ranks" poses challenging political, cultural and historical questions for Canadians and the world.