Supporters rally at the gates of Ft. Lewis as pre-trial began for Lt. Ehren Watada

Ft. Lewis, WA (January 4, 2007) - As the pre-trial hearing began for Lt. Ehren Watada, the first U.S.
commissioned officer to refuse deployment to Iraq, over a hundred supporters rallied at the gates of
Ft. Lewis Army Base. Braving the cold, supporters began arriving in the early morning at the interstate
overpass to display banners during the morning commute that read, "Thank You Lt. Watada. You Stand
for Us, We Stand With You" and "Stop Illegal War". Many trucks and cars on the interstate below honked
in support, including a few leaving the army base. Members of Iraq Veterans Against the War were offering
free care packages with fresh baked cookies and info about soldiers rights to troops entering the base.

At a rally later in the morning, speakers included Ret. Army Col. Ann Wright, Sara Rich, mother of Suzanne
Swift; Darrell Anderson, Iraq combat veteran and war resister; and Phan Nguyen, a local activist subpoenaed
for Army prosecution of Lt. Watada. Darrell Anderson, an Iraq combat veteran and war resister who fled to
Canada rather than face a second deployment to Iraq said, "The only way we are going to end this war is to
support GI resisters."

The day also marked the start of Iraq Veterans Against the War Deployed's "Camp Resistance", an encampment
outside the gates of Ft. Lewis to support Lt. Watada that will remain through the upcoming court martial set to
begin on February 5, 2007. Damon Murphy, IVAW Deployed bus member, stated, "IVAW Deployed will continue
to build support for Lt Watada and all other war resisters. We will also be reaching out to active duty soldiers at
Fort Lewis and assisting local peace groups in counter recruitment efforts. We would like to put a call out to all
IVAW members and supporters to join us at Camp Resistance."
For more information visit: http://www.ivawdeployed.org

Lt. Watada faces one charge of missing movement,and four counts of conduct unbecoming an officer.
If convicted of all charges Lt. Watada could face up to six years in prison, of which four would be for
excercising his free speech rights. Supporters nationally are gearing up for a Day of Action to Stand
with Lt. Watada on February 5, 2007 to coincide with the beginning of his court martial.

Support Lt. Watada - Refuse Illegal War

Supporters are asked to write Lt. General James Dubik, Commanding General Fort Lewis,
1 Corps Building 2025 Stop 1, Fort Lewis WA 98433. Please request that General Dubik
"Dismiss all charges and honor Lt. Watada's long-standing resignation from the U.S. Army."

A Citizens' Hearings is being convened January 20-22 at Evergreen State College ,
Tacoma campus in order to fully evaluate Lt. Watada's claims regarding the legality
and morality of the Iraq War. Confirmed witness include: Daniel Ellsberg, military analyst
who released the Pentagon Papers in the Vietnam War; Denis Halliday, former UN Assistant
Secretary General; Richard Falk, Professor Emeritus of International Law at
Princeton University. For more information: http://www.WarTribunal.org

Finally, help spread the word about the regional mobilization at Fort Lewis
on day Lt. Watada's court martial is scheduled to begin on February 5, or
organize your own local protest in solidarity on that day. For more
information: http://www.ThankYouLt.org or http://www.CourageToResist.org