Hofstra Police Attack Iraq Veterans

Shame on these calvary officers. Shame on the people who trained them to disparage our first amendment rights!
IVAW members arrested while attempting to present questions to Obama and McCain
One hour before the final presidential debate of the 2008 campaign, fourteen members of IVAW marched in formation to Hofstra University to present questions for the candidates. IVAW had requested permission from debate moderator Bob Schieffer to ask their questions during the debate but got no response.
The contingent of veterans in dress uniforms and combat uniforms attempted to enter the building where the debate was to be held in order to ask their questions but were turned back by police. The ten IVAW members at the front of the formation were immediately arrested, and others were pushed back into the crowd by police on horseback. Several members were injured, including former Army Sergeant Nick Morgan who suffered a broken cheekbone when he was trampled by police horses before being arrested.
"Neither of the candidates has shown real support for service members and veterans. We came here to try and have serious questions answered, questions that we as veterans of the Iraq war have a right to ask, but instead we were arrested. We will continue to ask these questions no matter who is elected. We believe that the time has come to end this war and bring our troops home" said Jason Lemieux, a former Sergeant in the US Marine Corps who served three tours in Iraq, and member of IVAW.
A total of 10 veterans were arrested during the action, including Matthis Chiroux, Kristopher Goldsmith, Adam Kokesh, Mike Spinnato, Geoff Millard, Marlisa Grogan, Nathan Peld, Nick Morgan, James Gilligan and Jose Vasquez.
Watch Democracy Now's coverage of the action.
http://ivaw.org/

Help War Resister Robin Long

Support Robin Long!

Iraq War resister faces court martial
On July 15, 2008 U.S. Army PFC Robin Long became the first war resister since the Vietnam War forced to leave Canada and to be turned over to the U.S. military. Robin is currently being held in the El Paso County Jail, in Colorado, awaiting his Courts Martial. He will be present for his Courts Martial at Fort Carson, Co. He will likely be charged for AWOL, desertion, and possibly speech-related violations of military discipline; he is facing a General Courts Martial, the maximum penalty of such a trial is 20 years confinement. Support Robin Long and all troops with the courage to resist!
1. Donate to Robin’s legal expenses
2. Send Robin letters of support
3. Send Robin commissary money
4. Send Robin a book
5. Sign the public statement of support – coming soon
http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/

Two Views From GI Special

WELCOME TO IRAQNAM:

HAVE A NICE DAY

A U.S. soldier from Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment crosses a river near Qara Tappah, about 75 miles northeast of Baghdad in Diyala province July 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

U.S. OCCUPATION RECRUITING DRIVE IN HIGH GEAR;
RECRUITING FOR THE ARMED RESISTANCE THAT IS

Iraqi citizens forced out of their house at gunpoint by foreign occupation soldiers from the USA are forced to lie down in the street with their faces in the dirt during a home invasion military terror operation ordered by U.S. command in Baghdad's Sadr City July 12, 2008. [Photo: REUTERS/Damir Sagolj]
[There’s nothing quite like invading somebody else’s country and busting into their houses by force to arouse an intense desire to kill you in the patriotic, self-respecting civilians who live there.
[But your commanders know that, don’t they? Don’t they?]
Iraqi citizens have no right to resist home invasions by occupation soldiers from the USA. If they do, they may be arrested, wounded, or killed.
“In the States, if police burst into your house, kicking down doors and swearing at you, you would call your lawyer and file a lawsuit,” said Wood, 42, from Iowa, who did not accompany Halladay’s Charlie Company, from his battalion, on Thursday’s raid. “Here, there are no lawyers. Their resources are limited, so they plant IEDs (improvised explosive devices) instead.”

GI SPECIAL 6G15:

DO YOU HAVE A FRIEND OR RELATIVE IN THE SERVICE?

Forward GI Special along, or send us the address if you wish and we’ll send it regularly. Whether in Iraq or stuck on a base in the USA, this is extra important for your service friend, too often cut off from access to encouraging news of growing resistance to the war, inside the armed services and at home. Send email requests to address up top or write to: The Military Project, Box 126, 2576 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10025-5657. Phone: 917.677.8057

Vietnam: They Stopped An Imperial War

“The single largest failure of the anti-war movement at this point is the lack of outreach to the troops.” Tim Goodrich, Iraq Veterans Against The War

“The military are the final, essential weak point of Bush and Cheney.” David McReynolds 9.29.07

War Resister Is Deported

Robin Long deported from Canada
Courage to Resist. July 15, 2008
Today Army PFC Robin Long became the first U.S. war resister since the Vietnam War forced to leave Canada and turned over to the U.S. military. While dozens of supporters gathered this morning at Peace Arch Park on the Canadian-U.S. border, Robin was already being transported to Fort Carson, Colorado. He is expected to be immediately placed in pre-trial confinement and eventually court martialed for AWOL, desertion, and possibly other violations of military discipline.
Courage to Resist has made civilian legal representation available to Robin and will be doing everything possible to provide him our full support. We plan to collaborate with many other groups in our efforts to help Robin in the coming weeks. Refusing to fight in an illegal war is not a crime—except under the Uniform Code of Military (In)Justice.
At 19, the Boise, Idaho native joined the Army on the promise that he would not be deployed to Iraq. “I made it apparent that I didn't want to go to Iraq. I didn't believe in the war that was going on over there so that's why I was stationed at Fort Knox.” However, later Robin realized that “they didn't have any new people enlisting so they were just taking anyone they could.”
In April 2005 Robin was ordered to Fort Carson in preparation for deployment to Iraq. Robin recounted, “My superiors were telling me; ‘You're going to the desert to fight rag heads’. It wasn't like I was going to Iraq to liberate the people.” After his Army “battle buddy” didn’t report for deployment by leaving for Canada, Robin also went AWOL and eventually hitchhiked to Canada. Once there he spent several months doing more hitchhiking and hanging out at soup kitchens before settling down with the help of the War Resisters Support Campaign.
Along with a few other U.S. Iraq War resisters, Robin had been most recently living in Nelson, British Columbia, a town of 10,000 people 30 miles north of the intersection of Washington state and Idaho. Local police have gained a reputation of being hostile to war resisters. “We have enough hippies of our own” seems to sum up their attitude. Authorities claimed that because Robin was staying with different friends around Nelson, he was in violation of a previous order to notify authorities of his whereabouts—and this gave them the opening for an expedited removal. Robin’s bad luck continued when a conservative Canadian Judge ruled against his last ditch appeal.
“This is a gift from Stephen Harper to George Bush,” says Gerry Condon of Project Safe Haven, referring to the conservative heads of state of Canada and the U.S. “And it will trumpet that Canada is no longer a safe haven for AWOL GIs.” However, Gerry believe that “this is not the first of many deportations. It may be the first and the last. A minority government that ignores the will of its people and its Parliament will not be allowed to rule much longer.” Federal elections are expected to take place in Canada this fall.
Check couragetoresist.org for updates on Robin’s case http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/content/view/608/1/

IVAW Defends Independence from Tyranny

Iraq Veterans Against the War - Independence Day 2008
Music by Michael Franti!

Winter Soldier Begins--Feel Decent Again

Watch this video and for a few precious moments, forget about the scandals, the sleaze, the corrupt corporatists and rat faced repuglican war mongers and chickenhawks who throw our bravest into obscene conditions and battle as casually as they'd throw last year's cloths into the garbage.



Iraq Veterans Against the War march for Winter Soldier
Mar 10 2008
Video of the Philly chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War to draw attention to the upcoming Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan events, March 13th-16th in Washington, DC.
http://ivaw.org/node/2798

Your Attendence Requested

IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST the WAR
Winter Soldier II Fundraiser

Thurs. Feb. 21st 7-9 PM (Doors Open 6:30)
NYC Society for Ethical Culture Society Auditorium
2 W. 64th St (at Central Park West)
.......Directions
A Greeting From Pete Seeger (Tape)
Panels will include:
Vietnam Veterans with/a segment of the
original Winter Soldier (Detroit 1971)
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
(looking forward to WSII in D.C. March 2008)
IVAW members in Canada (they refused to go back to Iraq)
MUSIC BY MEETLIAH
Iraq & Afghanistan Vets FREE
Students $5
Adult members of the peace Community $20
Reserve your tkts through your local peace group
(reserve a block of seats) or call:
212-228-0450 ext.104 (IVAW)
Lv Message at: 845-358-5709 or 212-678-7311
http://www.veteransforpeaceny.org/vfpnyevents.htm

All $$ goes to Winter Soldier II in D.C. Mar. 13-15…
http://ivaw.org/wintersoldier

Calling All Winter Soldiers!

Join members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War and Iraq Veterans Against the War in welcoming VVAW National Coordinator, Barry Romo, on Friday, January 25^th at 6:00pm in Carrboro, North Carolina.Barry will be talking about the upcoming historic event organized by IVAW-- Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan. (http://www.ivaw.org/wintersoldier)
In January 1971, VVAW held the Winter Soldier Investigation, where Vietnam Veterans testified about war crimes and atrocities they committed or witnessed in Vietnam. This action helped expose how atrocities committed during Vietnam were not the work of “a few bad apples”, but essentially military policy- a policy that continues in the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Like the Vietnam Veterans who testified in the ‘70s, Iraq Veterans will provide first hand accounts of their experiences and reveal the reality of the occupation.
We will discuss ways that members of VVAW, IVAW and others can support the upcoming event as well as show clips of the original Winter Soldier Investigation. We also hope some of the people who come will be interested in continuing to work locally to promote peace, justice, and the rights of all veterans. Afterwards, those that would like to continue the conversation and socialize may reconvene at a nearby restaurant.
Thomas Paine, writing during the Revolutionary War, said: “The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
Come out on Friday evening, January 25th, and support these true Winter Soldiers!
The Century Center is located at 100 N. Greensboro in Carrboro, North Carolina. Directions and information about nearby parking can be found at http://townofcarrboro.com/rp/ccdirections.htm
For more information about the North Carolina gathering, contact Buzz at (919) 265-7050 or buzzdaily@gmail.com
http://www.ivaw.org/wintersoldier

The Peoples' Peace Plan, March 15, 2008

Demonstration and Nonviolent Civil Disobedience

March 2008 -- Washington, DC
Iraq Occupation 5th Anniversary

http://www.year5.org/
Join us on Saturday, March 15th for a massive demonstration in Washington, D.C., at which we will exercise our rights to assemble and speak on behalf of the majority of Americans, the majority of Iraqis, the majority of U.S. troops, and the majority of people around the world who all say: U.S. Out of Iraq! This gathering will support the Iraq Veterans Against The War Winter Soldier Testimonial.
Organizations participating are listed below (Initial list)

In Solidarity for Peace and Justice,
> Gold Star Families for Peace > Camp Casey Peace Institute > ANSWER Coalition > CODEPINK Women For Peace > AfterDowningStreet.org > Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation > Common Ground Collective New Orleans > Hip Hop Caucus > World Can’t Wait – Drive Out The Bush Regime! > ImpeachBush.org > Cindy Sheehan and Cindy for Congress > National Council of Arab Americans > Grassroots America > Democracy Rising > Voters for Peace

SIGN ON & SUPPORT THIS CALL: http://www.year5.org/

Army Medic, Dead at 20

This very tragic story connects the lives of two female soldiers forever. Sammantha was a friend of 1^st Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside, whose is facing criminal charges for attempted suicide and endangering the life of another soldier.

Save Our Soldiers
Rest In Peace
Sammantha Owen-Ewing

Sammantha Arlene Owen Ewing
1986 – 2007
By: Kelly Dougherty
Last Monday, November 26, Sammantha Owen-Ewing, one of IVAW’s newest members, the wife of my friend Scott, and a former Army medic like me, committed suicide in her Rhode Island home. Sammantha was only 20 years old, and in that short time had been an Army medic training to become a nurse while stationed at Walter Reed, then became a patient herself in Walter Reed’s mental health ward. In June, she married Scott Ewing, also an IVAW member, and was discharged from the Army. Despite an uphill battle to receive care from the VA, things seemed to be looking up; she was getting settled into life in Rhode Island, planned to continue her medical career, and was becoming active in Iraq Veterans Against the War. Although most of us were never fortunate enough to know Sammantha, she was one of us and we mourn her passing.
[...] IVAW has set up a memorial fund on behalf of Sammantha Owen-Ewing to help her family offset her funeral costs. We will be accepting donations through the end of December, if you’d like to make a donation, go to www.ivaw.org/sammantha.
http://www.ivaw.org/
The Wounded Warrior Call-Center 1-877-487-6299 – This is a hotline for injured, wounded, or ill former and current Marines, Sailors and their family members. They offer information, resources, and advocacy for men and women suffering from either physical or psychological wounds.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) – By calling and pressing "1" you will be connected with round-the-clock access to mental health professionals who focus solely on helping veterans.
SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) www.save.org – This non-profit's mission is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma, and serve as a resource for those touched by suicide.
Vets 4 Vets, (520) 319-5500, www.vets4vets.us – Vets 4 Vets is a peer support group for recent veterans. In weekend workshops and local groups, veterans talk and listen to each other to help heal from negative wartime and military experiences. Contact them to find out about upcoming workshops.
National Veterans Foundation, 1-888-777-4443, www.nvf.org – This non-profit, non-governmental organization gives assistance, information and resources to veterans from all military branches.

Winter Soldiers Will Defend Democracy

What kind of a society do we have when the people sent to "defend our liberty" are treated like criminals back home? It's the citizens who don't believe in an imperial America who know that war doesn't end on the battlefield or with the signing of treaties. Demand to know from the presidential candidates how they plan to help OUR RETURNING TROOPS when the war ends. DU, PTSD, suicide and traumatic, lifelong injuries will be the legacy of BushCo's disaster.
AWOL Soldier Seeking Treatment Arrested
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, November 14, 2007
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) -- A soldier who served two combat tours in Iraq was arrested Wednesday for leaving the Army without permission more than a year ago to seek treatment for post traumatic stress disorder.
At a news conference hours before his arrest, Sgt. Brad Gaskins said he left the base in August 2006 because the Army wasn't providing effective treatment after he was diagnosed with PTSD and severe depression.
…An eight-year Army veteran, Gaskins served two tours in Iraq and a peacekeeping tour in Kosovo. He said his mental health began deteriorating during his second tour in Iraq, which began in June 2005, when his job was to conduct road searches and locate improvised explosive devices.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Troubled-Soldier.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Statement of Support
On the weekend of 13-15 March, 2008 Iraq Veterans Against the War will assemble history's largest gathering of US veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan , as well as Iraqi and Afghan survivors. They will testify to their first hand experiences and reveal the truth of occupation.
Once again, our country needs Winter Soldiers.
In March of 2008, Iraq Veterans Against the War will gather in our nation's capital to break the silence and hold our leaders accountable for these wars. We hope you'll join us, because yours is a story that every American needs to hear.
Click here to sign a statement of support for Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan

http://www.ivaw.org/wintersoldier

Iraq Soldiers Against the War Need Our Help

This is a very pleasurable way to make new friends, meet neighbors and do an absolutely essential service for those who have done so much to support the democracy we want to have.

Please take a moment to visit their blog and consider hosting a house party. The goal is to raise money to support IVAW, but more important is to reach out and make it clear to the veterans that the anti-war movement does not want to put them in the crosshairs to kill or be killed in support of this abysmal administration.

http://www.ivaw.org/newsletters/8.21houseparties.html

Grand Jury Refuses To Charge NYC Soldier Who Paid To Be Shot To Avoid Another Tour In Iraq

This story from GI Traveling Soldier is just too horrible to ignore. The time has come to show SERIOUS support for our troops, or better put by one of them:

“The single largest failure of the anti-war movement at this point is the lack of outreach to the troops.” Tim Goodrich, Iraq Veterans Against The War

From http://www.traveling-soldier.org/

August 15, 2007 NBC.COM [Excerpts]

NEW YORK -- A soldier who admitted he paid someone $500 to shoot him in the leg so he could avoid returning to Iraq won’t face felony charges, though his wife and another man who prosecutors say was the gunman were indicted by a grand jury.