call to action

Today is a National Day of Action for Lt Ehren Watada, the first US army officer to refuse deployment to Iraq. In cities and towns throughout the US, peace-loving people will be holding vigils, speak-outs, and rallies, distributing flyers, hanging banners, and otherwise taking action to support Lt Watada, and to build the anti-war movement.

If you live in the US, consider joining a local action. If there isn't one in your area, write a letter to your local newspaper speaking out against the war, and in support of war resisters. And of course, post about this in your blog.

From a recent email from Thank You, Lt:

I am the mother of Lt. Ehren Watada, an officer stationed at Ft. Lewis. He is part of a Stryker brigade unit that deployed last week to Iraq. Despite an unflinching commitment to his men and to democratic ideals, he chose not to accompany his men. His decision came through much soul-searching and through research and consultation with experts across disciplines, inside and outside of the military and the government.

After weighing the evidence, he came to the conclusion that he could no longer be silent while atrocities were committed in the name of democracy. He could no longer be a tool of an administration that used deception and lies to make the case for pre-emptive war.

As a member of the armed forces, sworn to uphold the US Constitution, he refuses to blindly participate in a war of aggression, an illegal war that undermines who we are as a nation and violates international law. Implicit in his oath as an officer is the duty to disobey all unlawful orders for; to carry out these orders renders him an accomplice to a criminal act. Furthermore, to order his men to participate in a war of aggression multiplies his guilt a thousand fold. His conscience will not permit him to do so. He believes that he can best serve them by taking a stand against the war. In so doing, he demonstrates that one does not relinquish the freedom to choose what is right, even in the military, and that the freedom to choose what is right transcends the allegiance to man and institutions.

Contributions to the Friends and Family of Lt. Ehren Watada legal and political defense fund are urgently needed to challege these new restrictions.

As a mother, I have evolved from fearing for his safety and for his future to the realization that there is a higher purpose to all that has transpired. My son no longer stands at the crossroads. He has chosen "the road less traveled." Come what may, he is committed to staying the course.

I invite you to affirm your support of Lt. Ehren Watada on June 27th, National Day of Action. On this day, groups across the country will participate in peaceful demonstrations, prayer services, candle light vigils, parades, leafleting, visitations to recruitment stations to provide counsel to prospective recruits, etc. Please contact your local organization for details.

My deepest thanks,

Carolyn Ho
Ehren's Mom

I've blogged about Ehren Watada several times now, and, amazingly enough, I've received no comments from the wingnuttery. They're really falling down on the job.

You can read about other war resisters at Courage To Resist. For more on how you can resist the creeping (leaping?) fascism and theocracy, try Refuse & Resist.