Support First Lieutenant Ehren Watada
REFUSING TO KILL IS NOT A CRIME

The Day of Action has been called by the US group Courage to Resist and actions have been planned across the US.  The Watada family is pleased and excited that Payday will internationalize the support by calling for groups and individuals in other countries to take action with them.  You may want to contact the US Embassy wherever you are, maybe even vigiling in front.  A model letter is suggested below.

Recently, US soldier Suzanne Swift was arrested for deserting her military police unit after suffering post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of rape and sexual harassment by superiors while on duty in Iraq. Her refusal and Lt. Watada’s stand out among the increasing number of soldiers who are refusing the atrocities this war is inflicting on civilians and its own military.  The two families have met and gave mutual support. More information on Suzanne Swift's campaign will be available soon at www.suzanneswift.org or email Sara Rich, Suzanne Swift's mother, at formydaughtersuzanne@yahoo.com.

MODEL LETTER TO US EMBASSIES

Dear Ambassador,

Re: Lt. Ehren Watada, confined to base and silenced for refusing to deploy to Iraq

On June 7, First Lieutenant Ehren Watada of the US Army publicly declared that he is refusing orders to deploy to Iraq with his brigade, after the Army had declined his resignation based on his conscience and principles.

We understand that on 22 June, he was confined to Fort Lewis and put under a complete gag order without any charge or proper process, after refusing orders to prepare to fly to Iraq. We demand that he be freed from confinement and allowed to communicate with his family and supporters and the public, that he be granted an honorable discharge, and that he not face court-martial or is not in any way punished for his actions. Refusing to kill is not a crime.

Lt. Watada’s stance is in line with the Nuremberg Charter (1950), which enshrined in international law the responsibility of each of us to refuse to obey illegal and immoral orders from any government.  In the US, these principles have been part of the official policy of the Department of Defense since 1953, and can be found in the Uniform Code of Military Justice 809.ART.90 (20), 892.ART.92 (1), and 892.ART.92 (2).

The pre-emptive war on, and occupation of, Iraq is a crime on a massive scale. Increasingly, soldiers in the US, the UK and other countries are refusing to participate in this slaughter, torture and rape -- by some estimates over 100,000 Iraqis killed, the majority women and children.  The number of US military deaths in Iraq is now over 2500.  Total casualties for both are many times higher.

US soldier Suzanne Swift was arrested for deserting after suffering post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of rape and sexual harassment by superiors while on duty in Iraq. Her refusal and Lt. Watada’s represents the view of millions.  Poll after poll around the world, including in the US, have shown public rejection of the war and the occupation of Iraq. 

At least 8,000 US soldiers are officially “deserters”, hundreds are seeking refuge in Canada and other countries, and the number of young men and women signing up for the military (particularly people of color) is at an historic low despite the pressure of the “poverty draft”.  In the UK, which has the second largest contingent in Iraq, the number of deserters has tripled since the invasion.

We urge you to accept Lt. Watada’s refusal to deploy to Iraq and grant him an immediate honourable discharge, and to release him from confinement and the gag order immediately.

Yours sincerely,