To all who love peace and justice
To the citizens of the United States
To the entire world
Pablo Paredes and Kevin Benderman will be subjected to a court martial
for having opposed Bush's criminal war in Iraq. Both applied for
conscientious objector status and were denied. Both are accused of
disobeying orders among other charges. In San Diego and at Fort Stewart,
Georgia, both will be tried in proceedings that without a doubt will
mirror the absurd theater in which Camilo Mejia was pronounced guilty by
a military tribunal that sentenced him to a year in prison.
Beginning tomorrow, May 11, we will see similar trials in which justice
will be conspicuously absent, in which the power of the state will
impose its will over international law, and in which young men will be
sentenced and shipped to military prisons.
But all of this can be avoided if the international peace community
comes to the defense of these two brave human beings and brave soliders.
Why brave soldiers? Because they understand their duty as members of the
military to defend the Constitution of the United States, to defend
democracy and freedom, and they understand that the war in Iraq has
nothing to do with these hallowed values. Why courageous human beings?
Because by refusing to take part in war crimes they risk their personal
safety and their careers. These war crimes have been perpetrated in Irak
by a president who has brought only economic hardship to families in the
United States and death and destruction to the people of Iraq.
These young men are the spokesmen for thousands of soldiers who have
deserted and we must give them our total support. I invite you to
participate in a day of international resistence, to sign petitions of
solidarity, and to demonstrate against these courts martial, against the
illegal occupation of Iraq, and for the immediate return of our troops.
More than 1600 U.S. soldiers have died already and more than 100,000
innocent Iraqis have perished including thousands of children. Thousands
of children are now orphans in both nations.
Now is the time to overcome our fear and to protest and demand an end to
Bush's historic crimes.
*COME* to National City (south of San Diego)* THIS* Tuesday! Join the
struggle of* PABLO PAREDES*, a US sailor who refused to be a cog in
the war machine.
*FERNANDO SUAREZ DEL SOLAR*,* father of one of the first U.S.
servicemen killed in Iraq : "Thank you, my son. Thank you for your
courageous stand, for your brave act of love and respect for human
life, and above all thank you for being an example of strength and
patriotism for the young people of your generation….The true soldier
defends the Constitution, life, liberty, and democracy, and does not
exterminate a foreign land for economic gain."*
_*NOAM CHOMSKY*_*:** "The actions that Pablo Paredes is taking are
honorable and impressive, and merit the support of people who are
committed to peace, justice, and the rule of law -- not force -- in
world affairs. It is no exaggeration to say that the possibilities
for decent human survival depend on that commitment. I hope that
others will be inspired by Pablo's courageous actions, and will not
only lend him their support, but will find their own ways to work for
the same ends."*
*HOWARD ZINN: ** "Your refusal to participate in a war which is
contrary to international law and which violates basic standards of
moral behaviour is to be commended and admired. Your act is in
keeping with a long tradition in our country -- from the Boston Tea
Party, to the refusal to accept the Fugitive Slave Acts, to the civil
disobedience of Martin Luther king -- of following your conscience
rather than blindly obeying orders. Democracy requires citizens who
will think for themselves and insist that the government uphold the
principles it is supposed to stand for."*
*RON KOVIC**, author:_ Born on the 4th of July_*: * "I want to send
my support and admiration to Pablo Paredes for his courageous
opposition to the war in Iraq...he is an inspiration to all of us! I
want to encourage everyone to stand with Pablo and other brave war
resisters who are finding the courage withinside themselves to begin
saying what really needs to be said!...what they are now doing, at
great personal risk, is an extremely courageous act of citizenship
that every American should be proud of!"*
_*On-going Events in National City/San Diego Tuesday-Friday THIS WEEK!*_
_/*Camilo Mejia*/_*, Fernando Suarez del Solar,_/ Naomi Klein/_,
Blase Bonpane,_/ Aidan Delgado/_, Marjorie Cohn and_/ Cindy Sheehan/_
are among those who will come to San Diego in support of_/ War
Resister Pablo Paredes/_.*
*Voices of Resistance
**Tuesday, May 10 2005
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Aswan Hall
401 Mile of Cars Way
National City, CA
*Pablo Paredes, Camilo Mejia and Aidan Delgado, three outspoken war
resisters, will share their personal expereinces and motivations in
seeking Conscientious Objector status and renouncing the war. Join us
on this_ "National Day of Action for GI Resisters"_ in a show of
overwhelming support on the day before the US military brings sailor
Pablo Paredes (San Diego, CA) and soldier Kevin Benderman (Ft.
Stewart, GA)before military court martial tribunals for their
opposition to the Iraq War.
Directions to Aswan Hall: 401 Mile-of-Cars Way (aka 24th St.),
National City (free parking)
Take I-5 to Mile-of-Cars Way.
Exit EAST.
LEFT at 1st intersection (Hoover Ave.)
LEFT into the first driveway.
*For Additional Events and other info: * *www.DefendPablo.org*
Project 619-692-3686*
POR UNA GENERACION LLENA DE PAZ Y AMOR!!
EL GUERRERO AZTECA
Que dios les bendiga.
Atentamente:
Fam. Suarez del Solar.
Padres del "GUERRERO AZTECA"
Jesus Alberto Suarez del Solar Navarro Lance Corporal USMC
1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division
fernando@guerreroazteca.org
Fvsuarez2000@yahoo.com.mx
_______________________________________________
More writing, photos and commentary at http://dahrjamailiraq.com
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