Carolyn Ho, mother of Lt Ehren Watada, of Hawai’i, the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse to serve in Iraq who faces court-martial in February.  Ms. Ho is on a tour of the US to build support for her son. Along with Filipino Stephen Funk, Latinos Camilo Mejia and Pablo Paredes, and Afro-American Navy Seaman Jonathan Hutto, Ehren Watada is another man of color who is giving impetus to the anti-war movement within the military in the US.

Gloria Pacis, mother of Stephen Funk, a gay Marine of Filipino and Native American origin, and first US soldier to publicly refuse to go to Iraq. Stephen was sentenced to 6 months in prison in 2003.  Ms. Pacis campaigned tirelessly for the release of her son and against the war in Iraq. She will be speaking in support of Lt. Watada and his family.  

With an Introduction by Margaret Prescod Women of Color in the Global Women’s Strike & KPFK radio host /Los Angeles, whose brother is a Vietnam veteran affected by Agent Orange.

And words from Michael Berg, father of Nick Berg, a contract worker killed in Iraq in 2003, who recently ran an anti-war campaign for Congress in Delaware. Also, updates from Eric Gjertsen of Payday and Phoebe Jones of Global Women’s Strike, who are coordinating Carolyn Ho’s tour.

Mehmet Tarhan

 In Turkey Kurdish gay conscientious objector Mehmet Tarhan, who was freed last March following an international campaign in 13 countries, faces a 25-month sentence. It is estimated that up to half a million people in Turkey are refusing compulsory military service, often by going underground. A newly formed Conscientious Objection Platform is campaigning for the recognition of the right to refuse compulsory military service.  On 1 December, the Platform will be protesting in Istanbul. Last summer, a protest in support of Lt Watada took place in Istanbul another indication of refuseniks movements supporting each other internationally. On 1 December, Payday in London will leaflet Turkish Airlines in solidarity with refuseniks in Turkey.

 In the UK   Since the Iraq war started, the number of British soldiers deserting has almost trebled. While most were kicked out of the army in their absence, at least 11 have been court martialed. Flight Lt Dr Michael Kendall-Smith was sentenced to eight months imprisonment for his refusal. We don’t know how many others have been jailed. The government has just passed the Armed Forces Act which threatens life imprisonment for soldiers who desert during the occupation of a foreign country. While the right to conscientious objection is recognized in the UK, this information is inaccessible to soldiers. We are protesting in front of Parliament to demand the release of all refuseniks and to scrap this infamous life imprisonment Clause 8.

Dr Malcolm Kendall-Smith

Giorgos Monastiriotis

 In Greece  Giorgos Monastiriotis from the Navy has been repeatedly sentenced to prison since 2003 for his refusal to go to the Gulf and “contribute by any means to the relentless massacre of the Iraqi people”. On 31 October 2006, the Appeal Military Court of Athens sentenced him again to 24 months imprisonment, although he is still free for the moment. On 9 December, the Greek Association of Conscientious Objectors will show the Payday video Refusing to Kill as part of their campaign to defend objectors and refuseniks.

 In Israel  Conscientious objectors Omri Evron and Yakir Peretz were recently sentenced for the second time to 14 days in prison for refusing to enlist in the Israeli military. Yakir said, “I have the right not to be in the army and they are, at the moment, depriving me of that basic human right”. Omri Evron also refused to wear a uniform and therefore was put in solitary confinement.  He opposes “the ongoing military occupation of the Palestinian people which further entrenches and aggravates the hatred and terror between the two peoples.”

 In the US  Increasingly soldiers publicly announce their refusal to go to war and face imprisonment

Ivan Brobeck

Agustin Aguayo

Ricky Clousing and his mother

Mark Wilkerson

Kyle Snyder

Darrell Anderson

DEC. 8-10th TAKE ACTION to SUPPORT GI RESISTANCE and GI RIGHTS!

Support war objectors and protect the right to conscientious objection  www.couragetoresist.org

APPEAL FOR REDRESS

a campaign initiated by Jonathan Hutto of over 1000 active-duty soldiers to withdraw from Iraq: www.appealforredress.org

Jonathan Hutto

While punishing those refusing to kill as criminals. the US government is constantly killing, especially people of color, not only in Iraq and elsewhere but also on death row.  A new initiative from the Global Women's Strike & Legal Action for Women will be announced on December 9, 25th anniversary of the arrest of our brother Mumia Abu Jamal.