Command rape victim, GI resister finally discharged
Courage to Resist. 17:50 min. February 14, 2009 When military police officer Suzanne Swift was in Iraq, she was sexually coerced by a superior, then harassed by him after she ended the unwanted relationship. Back in the States, she went AWOL rather than return to Iraq when her unit was ordered back. Swift was recently discharged from the Army and tells the story about what she had to endure.
Organizing to win
By David Solnit, Courage to Resist. Aaron Glantz and Norman Solomon: "The War Comes Home"Co-sponsored by Courage to Resist, KPFA Radio 94.1 FM presents:
With SF Supervisor Eric Mar, US Army veteran Walter Williams, and US Air Force veteran Eddie Falcon Sat., Jan. 31, 2009 ~ 8:00 pm. First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison Street, Oakland Aaron Glantz, an independent journalist whose work has appeared in The Nation and The Progressive, is the author of "How America Lost Iraq" and co-author of "Winter Soldier Iraq and Afghanistan: Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupations." André Shepherd, Iraq vet, applies for asylum in Germany
By Sarah Lazare, Courage to Resist for AlterNet.org. January 8, 2009 U.S. Army Specialist André Shepherd, who went AWOL after serving in Iraq, has applied for asylum in Germany. Shepherd refused military service because he is morally opposed to the Iraq War. "It is a sickening feeling to realize that I took part in what was basically a daily slaughter of a proud people," said Shepherd at a press conference announcing his application for asylum. "I am remorseful for my contribution to these heinous acts, and I swear that I will never make these mistakes again." Audio interview by Courage to Resist. 23:30 min. December 8, 2008
Sign the appeal to the German government and donate "Support GI Resistance to War" poster available
Order poster here - enter "Courage to Resist" in the check out comments and we'll get 50% of the proceeds. This is a new poster available from photographer Jon Orlando. Jon is currently working on a series of such images featuring veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This poster features Garett Reppenhagen, who in his own words, is “a Veteran of the Iraq War. An ex United States Cavalry Sniper who has decided to live the rest of his life opposed to the imperialism and materialism that has eaten away at the soul of humanity. I’ve dedicated myself to improving my mind and repairing my spirit, and to assist others to do the same. My goals are to stir the peaceful revolution into reality and share my experiences by means of any expression I can master.” Packed Ithaca NY council supports Spc Steve Loope
December 5, 2008 update - Spc. Loope turned himself in this morning at Ft. Drum. The Army may take some time to announce if they intend to court martial him. Krisy Gashler, Ithaca Journal. December 4, 2008 A Fort Drum soldier absent without leave petitioned Ithaca's Common Council Wednesday night to make good on its pledge to be a “community of sanctuary” for soldiers who oppose the war in Iraq. Ithaca's Common Council chambers were filled beyond capacity with people supporting U.S. Army specialist Stephen Trevor Loope, who left Fort Drum last year after what he described as “mental abuse” from his peers and superiors and unresponsive or non-existent mental health treatment. A 22-year-old from Austin, Texas, Loope served a 15-month tour of duty in Afghanistan with the 3rd Brigade 10th Mountain Division starting in February 2006. Iraq War resister Tony Anderson sentenced to 14 months
December 2, 2008 update: Tony has been transfered to the Ft. Sill stockade. Write him at: Anthony Michael Anderson, PO Box 305, Fort Sill OK 73503-5305. Thank you to our four dozen friends who donated over $2,200 for Tony's legal expenses, phone cards, and books for the coming year. By Sarah Lazare, Courage to Resist for AlterNet. November 20, 2008 19 year-old Army private Tony Anderson was court martialed Monday and sentenced to 14 months of confinement and given a dishonorable discharge from the military for "desertion with intent to avoid hazardous duty" and "disobeying a lawful order." The young soldier refused to deploy to Iraq in July of this year on the grounds of conscientious objection to war. "I know in my heart that it is wrong to willfully hurt or kill another human being. I simply cannot do it. I don't regret following my conscience," he said at his trial as he struggled to compose himself. "I know there must be consequences for my actions and I must accept this fact." Prisoner of conscience Robin Long's letter to Obama
By Robin Long, prisoner of conscience. November 6, 2008 Dear President-elect Obama, My name is Robin Long. I am currently serving a 15-month sentence at a Naval brig in California. I am locked up for refusing to participate in the invasion of the sovereign nation of Iraq, a military action I felt was wrong and an action condemned by most of the international community. It was illegal and immoral. My sentence also includes dishonorable discharge. I was no doubt made an example, because not only did I refuse to deploy by going AWOL but I spoke out. I spoke out about the atrocities that are going on over there and also the extensive web of lies the Bush administration told us and Congress, to go over there. I did all of this very openly while AWOL in Canada, where I was making a life for myself. Five simple things you can do
...to organize war resister support in your communityBy Courage to Resist. November 7, 2008 Support networks are a vital part of the war resistance movement: providing political, emotional, and material support to military objectors and helping amplify their stories of resistance lays the foundation for a strong movement and ensures that resisters do not have to go it alone. Through collective aid and alliance, we can act directly to stop unjust war and occupation. Marine "Benji" Lewis: Why I intend to refuse reactivation
Marine Benjamin "Benji" Lewis served two tours in Iraq and was honorably discharged in 2007. Recently, he received notification that he was a candidate to be recalled to active duty. Two weeks ago at a Winter Soldier event in Portland, Oregon, Lewis publicly announced his intention to refuse reactivation from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). This is an article he wrote about his experience in the Marines. By Benjamin "Benji" Lewis for ZNet. November 5, 2008 An imperative exists within United States Marine Corps dogma that states it is necessary to win the 'hearts and minds' of the indigenous population. Though seemingly amicable, the rationale for this statement translates into control through direct influence. For the Corps, this is parallel rhetoric: to accomplish this goal it is first necessary to control the minds of the Marines that are chosen to execute this task, an indoctrination that goes to the very roots of American society. Marine Benjamin Lewis pledges recall refusal
By Courage to Resist. October 27, 2008 Marine Benjamin "Benji" Lewis served two tours in Iraq and was honorably discharged in 2007. Recently, he received notification that he was a candidate to be recalled to active duty. Last week at a Winter Soldier event in Portland, Oregon, Lewis publicly announced his intention to refuse reactivation from the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR). Ten days before that event, Lewis spoke with Courage to Resist.
Part one. 18:20 min. (above). Part two. 12:01 min. (below)
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