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Four areas of support for GI Resistance and GI Rights |
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DAYS OF ACTION IN SUPPORT OF GI RESISTANCE & RIGHTS!
DECEMBER 8-10, 2006 We urge you to join us!
We call for the following:
*SUPPORT for WAR OBJECTORS
*PROTECT THE RIGHT TO CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION
*PROTECT LIBERTIES & HUMAN RIGHTS OF GI’S
*SANCTUARY FOR WAR OBJECTORS
Here is an explanation of our four areas of support:
1) SUPPORT WAR OBJECTORS
Providing political, economic, personal, legal and spiritual support for
our troops who have the courage to object, whether speaking out, refusing
to follow orders or going AWOL is essential. We can uphold the US
constitution and international law by supporting GIs who refuse illegal
orders to deploy, carry out orders or participate in illegal war and
occupation.
Many have been moved to action by the words of Army 1st Lt. Ehren Watada
who is currently facing up to eight years, primarily for speaking out
against the war, and also for refusing deployment to Iraq. In his August
12 speech to the Veterans for Peace National Convention, for which the US
Army has added an additional free speech charge of “Conduct Unbecoming an
Officer and a Gentleman.” Lt Watada said,
“The idea is this: that to stop an illegal and unjust war, the soldiers
can choose to stop fighting it. Those wearing the uniform must know beyond
any shadow of a doubt that by refusing immoral and illegal orders they
will be supported by the people not with mere words but by action. They
must know it and you must show it to them. Convince them that no matter
how long they sit in prison, no matter how long this country takes to
right itself, their families will have a roof over their heads, food in
their stomachs, opportunities and education.”
2) PROTECT THE RIGHT TO CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION
"I have come to believe that it is wrong to destroy life, that it is wrong
to use war, that it is immoral, and I can no longer go down this path,"
said Army medic Agustin Aguayo after being denied conscientious objector
status and going AWOL when faced with a forced re-deployment to Iraq. He
is now in a military prison in Germany, imprisoned for following his
conscience.
We call on the US military and the US government to respect the right to
conscientious objection as a legitimate exercise of the right to freedom
of thought, conscience and religion. The right to refuse to perform
military service for reasons of conscience is inherent in the notion of
freedom of thought, conscience and religion as recognized in Article 18 of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This freedom is also
articulated in Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights
Specifically we urge them to:
a. Consider a conscientious objector to be any person who, for reasons of
conscience or profound conviction, refuses to perform service in the armed
forces or any other direct or indirect participation in wars or armed
conflicts, including people who refuse to participate in particular wars.
This internationally recognized definition is used by Amnesty
International and other human rights organizations. Currently the US
Military Selective Service Act stipulates that objection must be to
participation in war of any form only by reason of religious, ethical, or
moral belief.
b. Assure that all conscientious objectors be given the opportunity to
present the grounds of their objection to a decision-making body, which is
established by law and is impartial and independent. Respect the due
process of applicants, and end all recriminations for applying for
Conscientious Objector status.
3) PROTECT LIBERTIES & HUMAN RIGHTS OF TROOPS
Including:
a. Free Speech; soldiers face harassment, punishment and even formal
charges for exercising their legal right to free speech.
b. Freedom from sexual harassment or assault; the US military continues to
ignore the pattern of serious and widespread sexual harassment and
assault.
4) SANCTUARY FOR WAR OBJECTORS
a. We the people of the US must do what we can provide and support real
sanctuary to all people resisting war, including our own troops. We can do
this as communities, as churches and as organizations. We call on people
in the U.S. to build grassroots support for resisters on our soil and also
to support Canada's people in their struggle to provide sanctuary for U.S.
war objectors.
b. Join the many Canadians calling on the Canadian government to demonstrate
its commitment to international law and the treaties to which it is a
signatory, by making provision for US war objectors to have sanctuary in
Canada. Let the Canadian people and Government know most US people oppose
the war and many support the right to sanctuary for courageous war
resisters.
For more information about Canada’s War Resisters Support Campaign go to
www.resisters.ca
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Donate
![]()  Please help Courage to Resist support the troops that refuse to fight with your urgently needed tax-deductible donation today. We also host a number of individual defense funds if you wish to contribute to a specific resister. Read more .
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Why Donate?
"Courage to Resist gives our young soldiers the help and support so they can stand up to the military and do what is right, moral and lawful."
— Elliot Adams,
National President
Veterans for Peace
read more | donate now
GI Rights HotlineFor help getting out of the military, or related military issues, call the new GI Rights Hotline number at 877-447-4487. Free, confidential, and accurate info for troops, vets, recruits, and their families.
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