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July 15 Day of Action to Support Suzanne Swift PDF Print E-mail
JULY 15th 2006: NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION TO DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE HONORABLE DISCHARGE FOR SUZANNE SWIFT

Saturday, July 15th marks a national day of action to call for an honorable discharge for Army Specialist Suzanne Swift, who turns 22 on that day. Protests will occur at the gates of Ft. Lewis (exit 119) beginning at 12 pm with a press conference at 3 pm.

In Eugene, a protest will be held at 12 pm at the Federal Building.

Additional protests supporting Swift are also occurring in communities throughout the country on that day.

Protesters will call for an honorable discharge for Swift, who was sexually abused by her sergeant while doing her duty in Iraq as a military police officer. At the same time, Rich will highlight the petition on the Care2 website, which has risen to the number one placement for signed petitions.

For more information on Suzanne Swift and how to sign the petition, please see http://www.SuzanneSwift.org

Sara Rich's statement:

Suzanne joined the Army with stars in her eyes. She was told she would see far away travel, be trained as a military police officer and when she got out she would be given money for college. Hell of a deal. Not once did the recruiter mention the deadly statistics for women in the military and how going to war dehumanizes many soldiers to a point where they think that raping and harassing women is acceptable behavior.

What has happened to Suzanne is happening to 2 out of every three women in the military right now. Young women and men are being subjected to sexual harassment, intimidation and assault every day and this is a national call to action. We must stop the climate of fear that our soldiers are living in every day. No more sweeping it under the carpet. Help us change the system where this is acceptable and victims are dismissed and their needs ignored.

Take action and pay attention. My daughter is stepping up with her very life. What are you going to do to effect change today?

Support Suzanne and thousands of others in taking action. We demand that Suzanne be given a full honorable discharge from the Army and that all her mental heath needs be fully met. On this July 15, Suzanne will be 22 years old. Don't allow her to spend another minute under the care of a system that fails so many of its own every day.

Suzanne deserves an honorable discharge today!

Contributions to Suzanne's legal defense fund are needed.

Contributions are tax deductable. (See http://www.SuzanneSwift.org for how to contribute)

Join me at the gates of Ft. Lewis in Tacoma, WA on July 15 to show support for Suzanne.

Thank you for your time and energy.

Peace
Sara Rich, M.S.W
 
Sample Press Release for June 27 Actions PDF Print E-mail
YOUR GROUP NAME/Letterhead
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date you are sending release

Press Contact: Name and cell phone #
(This should be someone who is informed about the event can answer
The phone the day before and day of).

_______________(Rally/vigil/march)  TO SUPPORT 'ILLEGAL WAR' REFUSER
LT. EHREN WATADA

WHEN:
WHERE:
WHO:
Paragraph describing you local event, participants and highlights.

On Tuesday June 27, people in dozens of US cities will demonstrate
their support for US Army 1st Lt. Ehren K. Watada's public refusal to
participate in the ‘illegal war’ and occupation of Iraq. Lt. Watada is the first US military officer to take this stand.

Public events will take place at Ft.Lewis in Washington State, Atlanta, Charlotte, Cleveland, Ft. Lauderdale, Honolulu, New York City, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Toronto, and many other cities.
Events are being coordinated by the Family and Friends of Lt. Watada
Through the website www.ThankYouLt.org.  National organizations such as Veterans for Peace, American Friends Service Committee, United for Peace and Justice, Code Pink, Campus Anti-War Network, Not in Our Name, Courage to Resist, and numerous other organizations will participate.

Lt. Watada first attempted to quietly resign in protest over the
"illegal war" in January 2006. On June 7th he publicly announced his intention to refuse deployment, and on June 22nd he followed through on his pledge by refusing to ship out with the 3rd Stryker Brigade. Since then he has been confined to Ft. Lewis under investigation and possible court martial charges.

Lt. Watada has explained, "It is my conclusion as an officer of the
Armed Forces that the war in Iraq is not only morally wrong but a horrible breach of American law.  As the order to take part in an illegal act is ultimately unlawful as well, I must as an officer of honor and integrity refuse that order."

By refusing to participate in the Iraq war and occupation, Lt. Watada
Joins a growing number of high ranking military officers, West Point
graduates, and current and former members of the armed services who have challenged the legality of the war in Iraq, including UK RAF officer Lieutenant Malcolm Kendall-Smith who also refused deployment to Iraq last year.

Eric Seitz, Lt. Watada's attorney, declares, "We will vigorously
defend Lt. Watada and demonstrate that the action he has taken is not only the correct legal and moral position but that it is one that is supported by a great majority of people in the United States and around the world who understand that the U.S. invasion of Iraq is not and never could be justified."
                ###END###
 
Plan a Support Action on June 27! Here's How PDF Print E-mail

1) CHOOSE A TIME AND PLACE

2) DOWNLOAD THE ORGANIZING KIT

3) LET US KNOW WHAT YOU'RE PLANNING!

Send an e-mail to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Please include the following info:
*Your group or organization, and a contact person's
e-mail and phone number.
*Info about the support action (what, where, when, etc.)
*Public contact info: a website (if you have one), e-mail,etc.
*Media contact (name and phone number)

4) USE THIS ACTION TO BUILD AWARENESS AND MOMENTUM
for planning even bigger actions around the dates of Lt.
Watada's court martial. We'll update people immediately when the military
sets Ehren's court martial date.

5) SEND PICTURES AND REPORTBACKS
from your local June 27 support action.
Send to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it


A WAR CAN END WHEN THE SOLDIERS CHOOSE TO STOP FIGHTING IT,” says
Ehren in the spirit of the GI resistance movement that played a major
role in ending the Vietnam War, along with civilian support. We need you to
be part of making this movement rise again.
 
List of Events for the June 27th "National Day of Action" PDF Print E-mail

Stand Up with Lt. Ehren Watada! 

(To add your event, send an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Participating Events List:

 

Image
Supporters outside of Fort Lewis. Photo by televiseus. June 19, 2006
Ft. Lewis, WA

4:00pm to 6:00pm Bannering and Support Rally
Supporters from Portland to Seattle will gather on the Exit 119 (DuPont) bridge over Interstate 5 outside of Fort Lewis with banners, signs and flags. Carpools leaving from Harrison and Division, Olympia at 3:00pm. Posters and flyers are available at Free School and Traditions. Sponsored by the Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace and Stand Up Seattle


 

Atlanta, GA

10:30am Press Conference
The King Center, 450 Auburn Ave, Atlanta GA 30312

Featuring veterans and local faith leaders. The Atlanta peace and faith communities are sending a message that we stand by and support our troops taking bold stances of conscience by refusing to participate in the Iraq War. Even if that refusal means imprisonment.

Noon Vigil
At the State Capitol
Initiated by the Atlanta Anarchist and Left meet up group

For more information contact Ingemar Smith
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
678-886-2742

 

 

Boston, MA

5:30pm-7pm Rally
Brewer Fountain (Park St.subway stop)
Initiated by: Boston Mobilization and United for Justice with Peace (UJP)
For more information: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

Charlotte, NC

6:30pm to 8:30pm Speaker/Film Showing
Public Library, Main Branch, Francis Auditorium
"Sir, No Sir", the suppressed story of the G.I. movement to end the war in Vietnam.
with Ahmad Daniels, Vietnam military resister
Initiated by:
Action Center for Justice
Info: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 704.492.8527

 

 

Cleveland, OH

4:30pm- 5:30pm Rally

Federal Building
Initiated by:
Not in Our Name-Cleveland
info: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

Corvallis, OR

6pm Rally
Benton County Courthouse
Initiated by: Veterans for Peace-Chp.132
Info: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

Evanston, IL

5pm Vigil and Gathering
Fountain Square
For more information, contact Nancy Bruski at:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

Eugene, OR

8-10am Morning Freeway Bannering on Interstate 5
5-6:30pm Evening Freeway bannering on Interstate 5

Initiated by: Eugene Civil Resisters Group
For more details contact: Fraeda This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 485-8465

 

 

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

5-7pm Support Rally
US Military Recruitment Office
1406 North SR 7
Initiated by: CODEPINK-South Florida
Info: 954-401-1768

 


Harrisburg, PA

Noon Vigil
3rd and Walnut
Sponsored by:
Central Pennsylvanians for Peace and Justice

 

 

Hilo, HI

4-5:30pm Support Vigil 
Kamehameha Ave. and Pauahi St.
Initiated by: Malu `Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action
Info: Jim Albertini This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 808-966-7622

 

 

Honolulu, HI

4pm to 6pm Put the War on Trial!
Ft. Shafter (just before Moanalua Gardens)

We will stand with Ehren Watada and all GI Resisters! The action will include street theatre, a press conference at 4:30, and signholding.  There is a freeway overpass right at the entrance to Fort Shafter, and banners will be visible from the freeway.

4pm to 6pm Vigil and Sign Holding
Thomas Square, King Street side 

Initiated by: World Can't Wait / Not in Our Name-Hawaii
Info: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

Kansas City, MO

5pm to 6pm Support Vigil 
63rd St. & Ward Pkwy
Initiated by: The 63rd Street Patriots
Info: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

Koenji, Tokyo

Evening Gathering 
Mercedarian Regional House
Initiated by:Mercedarian Sisters

 

 

Kona, HI

4:30pm Vigil
Meet at the Pines on Nani Kailua - we will walk or stand on Queen Ka'ahumanu Hwy to Henry Street with signs support Lt. Watada's decision. 

Initiated by: A.L.O.H.A. Committee (All Loved Ones Home Alive)
contact: Valerie This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

New Haven, CT

5-6pm Support Vigil
Orange St. Military Recruiting Offices
(btw Elm St. & Chapel St.)

Bring signs, chants, fliers, and energy.
Help defend Ehren and let New Haven know that we support war resisters! 

Sponsored by the International Socialist Organization, Connecticut United for Peace -- send an email if your organization would like to co-sponsor or endorse this event. 

contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 203-645-4907

 

 

Medford, OR

4 PM Vigil and Support Rally
Corner of Riverside and Barnett
Initiated by Applegate Citizens for Political Change (Southwestern Oregon)

 

 

Milford, CT

4pm Vigil
City Green
contact: Ann 808-741-1141

 

 

Nanuet, NY

7pm - 8:15pm Support Rally
Rt 59 & Middletown Road

David Mitchell, a member of the Rockland Coalition for Peace and Justice, will be a
featured guest at the rally. He served two years in prison for refusing to cooperate
with the draft in 1964 because it was being used to implement illegal and immoral
policies and actions in Vietnam.
Initiated by: Rockland Action
Info: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 


New York City, NY

5:00pm Rally at the "War Resister Support Station"
"Support Lt Ehren Watada and other Resisters of the War in Iraq"
Chambers St Recruiting Station
Chambers between W Broadway and Greenwich
by 1/2/3/A/C/E Chambers St Station
Initiated by:
Campus Anti-War Network and
Not in Our Name NYC
Info:
Heather Squire This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Elizabeth Wrigley-Field This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

Oakland, CA

NOON-1pm Peace Vigil 
Oakland Federal Building
1301 Clay St.
Initiated by:
Ecumencial Peace Institute
Info: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

Oklahoma City, OK

10:00am to 11:00am Rally
S. Plaza of State Capitol Bldg.
(on Lincoln Ave)
Sponsored by:
Oklahoma Veterans for Peace- Chp.131
Joy Mennonite Church, Democracy for Americans- Oklahoma City
info: joncantrell1 @ earthlink.net

 

 

Philadelphia, PA 

Noon to 1:00pm Leafleting and Support Protest
National Constitution Visitor Center
Market St. between 5th & 6th St., Philadelphia
Initiated by Payday with Global Women’s Strike (GWS) & Women of Color in the GWS and endorsed by AFSC Youth & Militarism Program, Brandywine Peace Community, Survivors Taking Action Against Abuse by Military Personnel (STAAAMP), Veterans for Peace (VFP), Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW), with involvement by Michael Berg, Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), Military Families Speak Out (MFSO), Philadelphia Grandmothers for Peace, Philadelphia Regional Anti-War Network (PRAWN).
For info or to endorse, call 215-848-1120

 

Portland, OR

4:30pm-6:30pm Vigil 

South side of Hawthorne Bridge
Initiated by: Code Pink and
Veterans For Peace Chp.72

 

 

Pittsburgh, PA

Noon Counter-Recruitment Picket
In support of Lt. Watada, the first military officer to refuse illegal Iraq War
Army Recruiting Station, Market Square, Downtown
Info: www.organizepittsburgh.org
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

Seattle, WA

7:30am-9am Banner Holding
Over Aurura on the northern most pedestrian overpass
Initiated by: Phinney Neighbors for Peace and Justice
contact:Neil This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

5:00pm to 7:00pm Vigil and Sign Holding
Westlake Park, 4th and Pine Streets, Downtown

5:00pm to 7:00pm Vigil and Sign Holding
Greenlake, East Green Lake Way N and N 64th St., miniture golf side. 

Contact information: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

 

 

San Diego, CA

Noon Support Rally
Federal Building
880 Front St.

Initiated by: Friends of Lt. Watada-San Diego
San Diego Coalition for Peace & Justice, National Lawyers Guild-SD; Veterans
for Peace-SD; San Diego Military Counseling Project

Info: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or  858-483-6018

 

 

San Francisco, CA

5:00pm to 6:30pm Rally
Justin Herman Plaza (Market and Embarcedero)
Sponsored by:
Friends of Lt. Watada Bay Area, Catalyst Project, Campus Anti-War Network, CODEPINK,
Courage to Resist, Grandmothers Against the War, World Can't Wait, War Resisters League,
Veterans for Peace, Not in Our Name-Bay Area, and Bay Area United Against the War.
Info: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

Seminole, FL

5:00pm to dusk rally
113th Street and Park Blvd
Sponsored by the SunCoast Peace Education Group
For more Information This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

Tacoma, WA

7am-9am and 4pm-6pm Bannering

Two locations:

(1) McKinley Way overpass above I-5;
 near the Tacoma Dome, with broad safe sidewalks on both sides,
 and easy access and ample parking.

(2) Pedestrian Bridge over Route 16 near Narrows Bridge.
is easily accessible, with ample parking available

Initiated by: United for Peace of Pierce County
For more information on times, and how you can participate
contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 253-238-2292

 

 

Toronto, Canada

4:30pm-6pm Support Vigil 
Across from US Consulate
University Ave. & Armoury St.
Initiated by:
War Resisters Support Campaign
Info: Ryan Johnson This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 416-792-0223

 

 

Vancouver, BC Canada

12-1pm Peace Vigil

World Peace Forum
University of British Columbia
Front of Gage Residence
Student Union Blvd

Sponsored by:
CODEPINK, War Resisters Support Campaign, and National Lawyers Guild
Contact: Nancy 415 342-6409

 

 

 

 Ventura, CA

6pm Support Rally
"Refuse Illegal War"
Ventura County Government Center
Telephone Rd. & Victoria Ave.

Initiated by:
Not in Our Name-Ventura
Info: (800) 956-6927 x715 or (805) 258-2519 

 

 

Walloon Lake / Petoskey, MI


7:00 pm  Meditation
1286 North Shore Drive, Walloon Lake
Tam Beeler, Mountain Stream. 231-535-2437

 


Waynesville, NC

5pm Vigil
Downtown post office

 

To add your event, send an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Download the Organizing Kit
(includes flyer and poster with room for local info )
 
Organizing Kit for June 27 National Day of Action PDF Print E-mail

Image

Download and distribute today!

 Posters and flyers have space for info about your local action


(Printing Tip:Remember to print documents at "100%" and use the print button inside of Adobe)

 

 
 
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