Immediate Iraq tranfser and court martial announced in violation of military regulations

By the Friends and Family of Spc. Marc Hall.
February 3, 2010
Donate | Sign the petition | stoplossmusic.org

Today, Fort Stewart, Georgia officials confirmed that the Army will attempt to separate Spc Marc A Hall from both his civilian legal team and his established military defender Capt. Anthony Schiavetti by sending him to Iraq “within a few days” to face court martial.

The Army declared that, “The jurisdiction transfer ensures a full and fair trial for both Spc. Hall and the United States.” Nothing could be farther from the truth, at least for Spc. Hall.

By Jeff Paterson, Courage to Resist. February 1, 2009

Historian. WWII veteran. Author. Activist. GI resistance supporter.

I remember reading Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States" in 1989. At the time, I was a 20-year-old Marine artillery controller becoming disillusioned with what I was seeing stationed in Okinawa, the Philippines, and Korea. Reading “People’s History” was certainly an unknowing step I took towards later refusing to fight in Iraq in August 1990. It enabled me to see my individual actions as a part of something much larger—yes, even larger than the Marine Corps.

"Support Alexis" PDF leaflet - download, print & copy!

Courage to Resist will print and mail this letter on your behalf. We will also CC President Obama and the commanding general of US Army FORSCOM

"I appeal to you to find a compassionate resolution to a difficult situation. Please drop the charges against Spc. Hutchinson."

Dear Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Phillip,

I am shocked and disappointed that four separate court martial charges have been brought against Specialist Alexis Hutchinson, a single parent with a one-year old son, who missed deployment in early November 2009 when her childcare plan fell through at the last moment, due to circumstances beyond her control.

By Sarah Lazare, Courage to Resist for ZNet. January 24, 2010.

As Haiti asks the world for help turning around the destruction wrought by the January 12th earthquake, the U.S. is funding destruction in Iraq and Afghanistan. President Obama is expected to ask for another $33 billion for the military budget this year, on top of the $1 trillion that has come out of U.S. taxpayers' pockets since 2001, to fund the so-called War on Terror.

In contrast, the president has pledged $100 million in aid to Haiti, amounting to not much more than the mortgage on a rich person's house.

By supporters of Joe Glenton. January 19, 2010

Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, the UK soldier who faces desertion charges for refusing to return to Afghanistan, has been arrested and charged with five further offenses for speaking out in opposition to the presence of troops in Afghanistan. These charges allege that he led the anti-war demonstration in London, England on October 24, 2009, and that he has spoken to the press in defiance of orders. The new charges carry a maximum of ten years imprisonment in addition to the sentence of three to four years that Joe could get if the desertion charge is upheld.

By Dustin Stevens. January 15, 2010

First of all I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I have been free of the Army for almost three months now. I have to be honest, life is hard out here. But I'm slowly aiming for my goal of inner peace. I have changed a lot in this past year. More so than even I imagined. I want to say something to those of you who are reading that have not yet followed your heart and for those who are still in limbo. You have only one life to live on this planet. Life is too short to be unhappy. Fight for what you believe to be right.

Please donate to Alexis' defense: couragetoresist.org/alexis

By Friends and Family of Alexis and Kamani Hutchinson. Updated January 15, 2010

In a shocking disappointment, Fort Stewart, GA Army officials announced four separate court martial charges against Specialist Alexis Hutchinson, the single mother of a one-year son who missed deployment in early November 2009 when her childcare plan fell through.

Despite assurances by military public affairs officers that the Army would work with Spc Hutchinson and her attorneys to resolve the matter administratively, rather than through the criminal process, charges of missing movement, AWOL, dereliction of duty, and insubordinate conduct were filed today. Spc Hutchinson is a 21-year-old native of Oakland, CA, now facing over three years in prison, a dishonorable discharge, and the loss of custody of her infant. She has been assigned to Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, GA, since February 2008.

• Please donate to the Marc Hall Free Speech Defense Fund at couragetoresist.org/marc
• "Free Marc Hall!" PDF leaflet - download, print & copy!
• For petiton and updates: stoplossmusic.org

By Courage to Resist. Updated December 22, 2009

Stop-lossed Army Specialist Marc Hall (aka Hip Hop artist Marc Watercus) was placed in the Liberty County Jail Friday, December 11 for speaking out against the continuing policy that has barred him from exiting the military, including recording an angry and explicit song. Servicemembers do not completely give up their rights to free speech, and certainly not when they do so artistically while off duty. However, the military intends to hold Marc in the county jail for months of pre-trial punishment before court martial. This could become a precedent setting case for boundaries of dissent within the ranks. Free Marc! Free speech! Free the troops from Stop Loss!

"Stop Loss" by Marc Hall (aka Marc Watercus)

Please donate to Eric's defense at couragetoresist.org/eric

Eric's story was featured on the front page of The New York Times. December 24, 2009

By Dahr Jamail, IPS News. December 11, 2009

MARFA, Texas - With a military health care system over-stretched by two ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, more soldiers are deciding to go absent without leave (AWOL) in order to find treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Eric Jasinski enlisted in the military in 2005, and deployed to Iraq in October 2006 as an intelligence analyst with the U.S. Army. He collected intelligence in order to put together strike packets - where air strikes would take place.

Successful clemency effort funded by Courage to Resist supporters.

By Courage to Resist. December 21, 2009

Iraq War resister Cliff Cornell was granted a 30 day reduction to his one year jail sentence this week. The Commanding General of Fort Stewart, Georgia knocked off the month in response to a clemency request filed by Cliff’s civilian attorney James Branum of Oklahoma. Cliff is now expected to be released on or about January 16, 2010.

March Forward!, an ANSWER Coalition affiliate, has renewed the “political challenge to troops” call done last by Call to Conscience back in 2003. Courage to Resist is not affiliated with either (or any political organization), but we appreciate the efforts.

By Dahr Jamail, Truthout. December 14, 2009

In response to President Barack Obama's announcement on December 1 to deploy 30,000 additional troops to the occupation of Afghanistan, the organization March Forward!, comprising both veterans and active-duty members of the US military, has called on all soldiers to refuse their orders to deploy.