"Retired generals are speaking out against this war and the civilian leadership that thought it up and messed it up." by Erin Solaro, Seattle Post Intelligencer April 16, 2006

•  Behind the Military Revolt
   April 16,  2006

• Generals versus Rumsfeld    
  

A Day of Action in Support of Conscientious Objectors and War Resisters!

Courage to Resist is calling for groups, organizations, and individuals around the country to take up May 15th as a day of action in support of conscientious objectors and war resisters!

There are actions currently scheduled in Washington D.C., New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, there will be two days of events:

• On  May 14, Mothers Day,  there will be an "Afternoon of Performance Art and Short Films"  to celebrate resistance to military recruiting and the growing opposition to war from witin the military at the Parkway Theatre in Oakland,CA with, Aimee Allison, headRush, Teatro del FEO and more!!

• On May 15 there will be a rally, a march to a local military recruiting station, and non-violent direct action  highlighting youth and members of the community directly affected by military policies     

    Press Release

•   A week of actions titled Operation Refuse War will be held in New York City and Washington D.C.,   featuring an international gathering of COs and their supporters.

Why May 15? 

For over 20 years May 15 has been celebrated as International Conscientious Objectors'  Day, a tradition of struggle spearheaded by groups affiiliated with War Resisters’ International. Each year activities are focused in a country where C.O.'s  and objectors are being harassed or persecuted. This year  the international focus is on the United States' denial of the right of soldiers to object to war.

Conscientious Objectors, GI resisters and dissent within the military deserve our support as they stand up for human rights and dignity, democratic rights, and international law.

Widespread public support and pressure can help protect these courageous individuals from feelings of isolation and from repression of them and their rights.

• What is Conscientious Objection?
  

• More History of International Conscientious Objector Day
• Conscientious Objector Sgt. Kevin Benderman still imprisoned in Ft. Lewis!
• Facing  persecution, US War Resisters seek asylum in Canada
  

On March 12, 2006 Fernando Suarez del Solar , Pablo Paredes , Camilo Mejia and Aidan Delgado led a coalition of the willing across a 241 mile quest for peace aimed at raising Latino voice of opposition to the War in Iraq! Photos and report: 241 mile California March for Peace

To mobilize and publicize resistance within the Latino community to the war in Iraq, Fernando Suarez de Solar, the father of U.S. Marine Jesus Alberto Suarez de Solar, led a historic peace march from Tijuana to San Francisco, from March 12-March 27.

Jesus Alberto was killed in the first week of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The Army lied to Fernando about the cause of his son's death and he went to Iraq to seek the truth. Since his son's death, Fernando, has become an outspoken anti-war activist.

How GI Resistance Altered The Course Of History:

“Sir, No Sir,” A Timely Film
by Paul Rockwell, In Motion Magazine Published April 3, 2006 

• Watch the Trailer!  In the 1960s, thousands of American GIs rebelled against the Vietnam War, changing the course of U.S. history and society. No film has ever told their story... until now.
  

• Bay Area World Premeire Events:  April 7- April 13

By Claudine San Nicolas, The Maui News. May 1, 2006

A former Maui man, saying he took exception to military instructions he received as he trained for deployment to Iraq, has deserted from the U.S. Marines and is in Canada seeking refugee status.

Lance Cpl. Christopher Scott Magaoay, formerly of Pukalani, said he knows he may never be able to return to U.S. soil or even see his 4-year-old son living on Maui, but he’s willing to make the sacrifice because of his opposition to the war in Iraq.

“I left my unit and came to Canada because of my beliefs,” he wrote in an e-mail to The Maui News. “Now my family has all but disowned me.

"With the United States military again engaged in immoral and unjust imperial adventures overseas, Canada is becoming home to many resisters who are resisting service in the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."

• Brave Hart

• Soldiers of Misfortune

• Conscientious Objectors: US War Resisters in Canada

We urge you to join us in a National GI Resistance Alert Network!
It's time for us to escalate public pressure and action in support of the thousands of courageous men and women who have in many different ways followed their conscience to uphold international law and to take a principled stand against the unjust, illegal war and occupation of Iraq.
We are asking concerned organizations, communities, and individuals to join us and commit to a sustained campaign of support for GI resistance and conscientious objection!

This question almost answers itself, doesn’t it? Former Marine Staff Sergeant Jimmy Massey, a 12-year veteran who became an outspoken opponent of the war, recently faced a vicious attack in the mainstream and rightwing media.  He was called a liar and a fraud, and his eyewitness accounts of U.S. Marines killing Iraqi civilians were called into question.  This coordinated media assault caused confusion even among some opponents of the war. This question almost answers itself, doesn’t it? by Gerry Condon, www.SoldierSayNo.blogspot.com

• When A Marine Speaks Truth to Power: Why I Stand By My Interview With Sgt. Jimmy Massey

"Despite my efforts, I have been unable to get clear, consistent answers from my leadership about what constitutes lawful and humane treatment of detainees." A letter to Sen. John McCain from Captain Ian Fishback. Published by the Washington Post on September 28, 2005

• Human Rights Watch Report:   Leadership Failure; Firsthand Accounts of Torture of Iraqi Detainees by the U.S. Army’s 82^nd Airborne Division
  
• Torture of Iraqis was for "Stress Relief", Say US Soldiers

“…if there's anything I could be guilty of, it is my beliefs. I am guilty of believing this war is illegal. I'm guilty of believing war in all forms is immoral and useless, and I am guilty of believing that as a service member I have a duty to refuse to participate in this war because it is illegal."

On December 6, 2004, Pablo Paredes refused to board the war-bound USS Bonhomme Richard leaving from San Diego,CA. Facing charges of "Missing Movement" and "Unauthorized Absence" Pablo was court martialed on May 11, 2005 for refusing to fight in a war, he challenged, was illegal.
Pablo Paredes’ court martial on May 11th, 2005 at the San Diego, California Naval Base was one of the motivations for a nationwide Day of Action to Support GI Resisters called for by Courage to Resist on May 10th and taken up by dozens of groups across the nation!

Pablo’s court martial in San Diego turned out to be an enormous political victory for Pablo and his supporters. Many creative actions in and outside the courtroom were mounted in Pablo’s defense. From brilliant testimony in court by witnesses and attorneys, to nightly political and cultural events, the mobilization around Pablo’s case was truly inspirational! Photos: Defending Pablo and protesting war