On April 30, 2008 Courage to Resist and SF Bay Area allies gathered to appreciate our staff organizer Lori Hurlebaus who recently resigned. She is in Philadelphia for the Summer working as an interim Organizer in the national office of Iraq Veterans Against the War while their Organizing Director is out on paternity leave.

Sara Rich, Courage to Resist
May 8, 2008

It is with mixed emotions that Courage to Resist says goodbye to Lori Hurlebaus. Lori's passion and expertise around supporting war resisters has been invaluable. From a collective point of view she was a leader and an amazing organizer. She has a vision for what we all have to do to end this war.

Courage to Resist. April 5, 2008

Iraq veteran David James Cortelyou suffered severe symptoms of PTSD when he returned to his base in Germany from a tour in Iraq. Failing to get the help he needed, David went AWOL twice rather than return to Iraq. He turned himself in recently, expecting to go to military prison, but was given a discharge instead.

Select "Read more..." for part 2 of the Courage to Resist audio interview, and David's written statement.

Courage to Resist. April 9, 2008 update

Courage to Resist was proud to attend and support “Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan” held March 13-16 at the National Labor College near Washington DC. Iraq Veterans Against the War brought together over 200 recent veterans to speak out against the occupations. Below is audio testimony of "The Future of GI Resistance" panel which ended the hearings. Also are a few snapshots of the weekend. We also have brief commentary from Courage to Resist organizers Sara Rich (who attended with her active duty daughter Suzanne Swift) and Lori Hurlebaus—the behind the scenes stage manager of the hearings. Select "Read more..." for audio and photos.

"Body of War" is an intimate and transformational feature documentary about the true face of war today. Meet Tomas Young, 25 years old, paralyzed from a bullet to his spine - wounded after serving in Iraq for less than a week.

National openings featuring Q&A with producers/directors Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro, and Tomas Young's mom Cathy Smith begin this week in New York, Boston, San Francisco, Berkeley, Seattle, LA, San Diego, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis, and St. Louis. (view schedule featuring Q&A)

Colonel Ann Wright, US Army (ret.)
Former US diplomat and author

What’s it going to take to end the illegal and unjust war and occupation of Iraq? I believe a critical part of the answer is support for the troops who refuse. That’s why I’m asking you to support and contribute to Courage to Resist. [donation info]

I served 29 years in the US Army/Army Reserves. When my government attacked Iraq, I was one of three US diplomats to resign in protest. I resigned my career on principle. Today, I fully support US military personnel who, in acts of conscience, refuse to fight in wars of aggression.

Berkeley students put pro-war, right-wing mob on defensive

Courage to Resist. February 19, 2008

For months, the anti-war women’s group CodePink staged near-daily protests outside of a Marine recruiting station in downtown Berkeley, California. These gatherings became a part of the local landscape. However, vigil-as-usual ended when the Berkeley City Council voted to officially endorse these ongoing protests and to send a letter to the Marine recruiters asking them to leave town. Right-wing radio rallied their listeners to “punish” the city, and anti-military recruiting advocates rallied to defend the council’s actions.

Cindy Sheehan and Daniel Ellsberg joined former diplomat Army Col. Ann Wright (ret.) for a Courage to Resist event in Oakland, California on January 17, 2008. This 7:05 min. highlight video features Ann Wright discussing her new book "Dissent: Voices of Conscience - Government Insiders Speak Out Against the War in Iraq"—now available for a $20 donation. Select "Read more..." below to watch the video.

"Talk about an organization that is really helping the men and women who are in our military. They are there when these men and women take their stands of conscience," says Ann Wright of Courage to Resist.

Delegation to Canada Consulate LA

Vigils and delegations visited eight Canadian consulates across the United States January 25, 2008 to ask that the U.S. war resisters by allowed to stay in Canada. Veterans, community organizers, and others gathered in Washington DC, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis to support the troops who have refused to fight.

Demonstrators say, "Let War Resisters Stay"
Canadian Broadcast Corp. January 26, 2007

If you have not already done so, please sign the letter, "Dear Canada: Let U.S. War Resisters Stay" today. Although we delivered thousands of petitions and letters to Canadian Consulates across the country on January 25, we'll still mail this letter on your behalf via USPS International First Class mail.

Photos, reports, and audio from around the country.

By Courage to Resist. August 19, 2008

With your help, we mailed over 10,000 of the original letters to Canadian officials in support of a political resolution that would allow U.S. war resisters to stay in Canada.

On June 3rd, our efforts were rewarded when the Canadian Parliament passed an historic motion to officially welcome war resisters!

The Conservative government is making it clear that they will disregard the democratic decision of the House of Commons, the demonstrated opinion of the Canadian citizenry, the view of the United Nations, and millions of Americans. War resister Jeremy Hinzman is now scheduled to be deported September 23rd.

We need your help once again. Please sign a new letter to “Please act immediately to implement the resolution to allow U.S. war resisters to stay in Canada… and cease deportation proceedings against Jeremy Hinzman.” (complete letter below)

Courage to Resist volunteers will send this letter on your behalf to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley via International First Class Mail.

By Courage to Resist, 23:24 min. January 31, 2008

Pfc. Robin Long went to Canada rather than deploy to Iraq. Last October he narrowly—and temporarily —avoided being deported. Now his deportation may be imminent. Long spoke on the phone with Courage to Resist from Ontario.

By Courage to Resist, 18:58 min. January 31, 2008

Marine reservist Matt Mishler speaks about his deeply-held religious belief that killing is wrong and his efforts to be discharged from the Marines as a conscientious objector.

US war resisters gather after hearing victory in Ottawa 12/6/07. Photo: Lori Hurlebaus / Courage to Resist

By Courage to Resist. December 11, 2007

On December 6, the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration of the House of Commons in Ottawa, Canada adopted a motion that was a critical victory for U.S. Iraq War resisters seeking sanctuary.

Courage to Resist organizers Lori Hurlebaus and Jeff Paterson traveled to Ottawa for this hearing, along with supporters and resisters from across Canada, and have contributed to this report. In collaboration with the Toronto, Canada-based War Resisters Support Campaign (WRSC), Courage to Resist is calling for U.S.-Canada consulate delegations, vigils, and actions on January 25-26 to build momentum in the wake of this important first victory.

By Madeline Chambers, Reuters. December 17, 2007 

BERLIN (Reuters) - A U.S. Army medic jailed for desertion after refusing to return to Iraq is on a mission to tell young Americans about the grim realities of war before they join the military.

Mexican-born combat medic Agustin Aguayo, in Germany to receive a peace award, told Reuters that U.S. Army recruitment methods were unfair as young people got a one-sided, positive picture of combat.

Soldiers in 2nd Platoon, Charlie 1-26 stage a 'mutiny' that pulls the unit apart 

By Kelly Kennedy, Army Times. December 16, 2007 

Spc. Gerry DeNardi stood at the on-base Burger King, just a few miles from downtown Baghdad, hoping for a quick taste of home.

Camp Taji encompasses miles of scrapped Iraqi tanks, a busy U.S. airstrip and thousands of soldiers living in row upon row of identical trailers. Several fast-food stands, a PX and a dining facility the size of a football field compose Taji's social hub. The base had been struck by an occasional mortar round, and a rocket had hit the airfield two weeks before and killed an American helicopter pilot.

By Courage to Resist. November 18, 2007

While home on leave in January 2007, Army Spc Kimberly Rivera made the life changing decision that she would not be returning to the Iraq War. Instead, she packed up the family car and drove to Canada with her husband and two children. She is currently one of about fifty AWOL US war resisters who are openly seeking sanctuary in Canada. This is her story.

Also now available, Courage to Resist audio interview with Kimberly. December 4, 2007