International Days of Action around Lt. Watada’s court martial date
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Participating countries so far: England, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Uruguay, USA. Also actions in at least 16 US cities. |
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PHILADEPHIA EVENTS to
Support Lt. Ehren Watada Monday February 5, 2007 |
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4:30-5:30pm LOVE PARK, 15th and JFK Blvd. Speak out and rally. Live update from the court martial trial in Fort Lewis, WA. Also featuring Gloria Pacis, mother of jailed refusnik Stephen Funk
5:45-7pm Friends Center, 15th & Cherry. Reception and Video of Lt Watada’s electrifying speech at the Vets for Peace Conference Aug 2006
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“This is a war not of self-defense but for profit and imperialistic domination… If soldiers stood up and threw their weapons down, no president could ever initiate a war of choice again.” Ehren Watada
“As the first commissioned officer to refuse deployment to Iraq, Lt. Watada speaks for all men and women in uniform who oppose this illegal and immoral war. He is being made an example of to suppress dissent among other officers and the rank and file.” Carolyn Ho |
Lt. Watada faces court martial for refusing to serve in Iraq and for speaking out against the war. We demand that the military dismiss all charges and accept Lt Watada's resignation.
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For updates and how you can take action in support of Lt.
Watada, see the See/read Ehren’s amazing Vets for Peace speech at www.refusingtokill.net |
Sponsored by Payday, Global Women’s Strike and Women of Color in the GWS and co-sponsored by AFSC Youth & Militarism Program, Brandywine Peace Community, Delaware Valley Veterans for America, Every Mother is a Working Mother Network, Granny Peace Brigade Phila, Peace Action - Delaware Valley, and RACE (Temple Univ). Endorsed by Amnesty Int’l - Phila, CCCO (Central Cttee for Conscientious Objectors), Mid East Working Grp of Phila Yearly Meeting (Quakers), PRAWN (Phila Regional Anti-War Net), and WILPF - Phila (Women's Int’l League for Peace & Freedom). List will be updated as new endorsers come in.
For info or to endorse,
contact Payday or Global Women’s Strike 215-848-1120
email
philly@crossroadswomen.net
www.globalwomenstrike.net
www.refusingtokill.net
No soldiers, No wars
Refusing is an act of conscience and courage. Lt Watada risks four years in jail when he goes to court martial on February 5 for refusing to go to Iraq and for inviting other soldiers to refuse too. He asks the anti-war movement to support refusers by supporting their families: “For soldiers to stop fighting, they must have the unconditional support of the people. ...Convince them that no matter how long they sit in prison… their families will have a roof over their heads, food in their stomachs, opportunities and education.”
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Lt Watada speaks for refusers everywhere. Some are killed for refusing. Many are jailed, like Halil Savda in solitary confinement in Turkey and hundreds of Israeli conscripts. Many seek asylum in other countries. Behind this army of refuseniks is an immense support network of families and friends, led mostly by women.
Invest in Caring Not Killing
Over 650,000 Iraqi people, mainly civilians, and over 3,000 US, British and other soldiers have lost their lives in this occupation. The US alone spends $8.4 billion a month in this war, while each day women, children and men are getting poorer in a world increasingly devastated by global warming and West-inspired wars. We need this money to care for people and the environment. Refuseniks like Lt Watada are a crucial part of our movement. Wherever we are, whatever else we believe, supporting him contributes to the struggle for survival and against war.
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