From: Courage to Resist
Date: November 11, 2006 7:25:06 PM PST
To: undisclosed recipient
Subject: Army moves forward with court martial of Lt. Ehren Watada
Army moves forward with court martial of Lt. Ehren Watada
Political charges of “contempt towards the president” dropped; four
years prison still possible for political speech critical of Iraq
War. Trial expected early 2007.
Also: Kyle Snyder remains AWOL, continues to speak out against the war
Army moves forward with court martial of Lt. Ehren Watada
Lt. Watada, father Bob Watada, step-mother Rosa, and lawyer Eric
Seitz during a pre-trial hearing break on Fort Lewis, August 17,
2006. Photo by Peter Haley, Associated Press.
November 11, 2006
After an unexpected delay, the Army has announced the forwarding of
charges against Lt. Ehren Watada by Fort Lewis Commanding Officer Lt.
General James Dubik. Lt. Watada is to be court martialed for missing
movement (article 87 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) and
multiple counts of “Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman”
for his public opposition to the illegal and immoral occupation war
in Iraq.
In a pre-trial victory for Lt. Watada, the Army has retreated on all
counts of “content towards government officials” – specifically
President G. W. Bush. The last known prosecution of this article was
in 1965 resulting from Lt. Henry Howe’s opposition to U.S. foreign
policy during the Vietnam War. Lt. Watada’s defense team believe the
military favors the conduct unbecoming charges for their overly broad
nature, versus the more controversial “contempt of officials” that
would have opened the door to the obvious question, “can speech be
contemptuous, if it is factual?”
Lt. Ehren Watada responds
"The referral of the charges was not unexpected. I'm moving forward
as I always have with resilience and fortitude to face the challenges
ahead . . . I think the recent elections show more and more Americans
are opening their eyes, but we aren't there yet. I hope that actions
such as mine will continue to help expose the truth behind the
fundamental illegality and immorality of the war," said Lt. Ehren
Watada.
"The reason I spoke out, I saw that what was being done in terms of
this war was so illegal and so immoral, and not being checked. It was
a danger to our troops and a danger to our country. So, I think what
needs to be done is some kind of accountability in Washington (D.C.)
and also investigations into how this war was started in the first
place."
Lt. Watada told reporters at a press conference last Thursday that
"almost every day, someone from the military or the outside sends me
some kind of correspondence or approaches me in person to render
support or their respect.”
December 8-10 days of action to support Lt. Watada and all GI resisters
It's time for us to escalate public pressure and action in support of
Lt. Watada and the growing movement of thousands of courageous men
and women GI’s who have in many different ways followed the their
conscience, upholding international law, taking a principled stand
against unjust, illegal war and occupation and stood up for their
rights.
Widespread public support and pressure will help create true support
for courageous troops facing isolation and repression, and help
protect their civil liberties and human rights. We call for the
following:
1) Support for all war objectors
2) Protect the right to conscientious objection
3) Protect the liberties and human rights of GI's
4) Sanctuary for war objectors.
In the Pacific Northwest, these actions will serve as a warm up for
larger mobilizations and events to coincide with Lt. Watada’s trial
early next year. The actual court martial date has not yet been sent.
Citizen’s hearing on Iraq, January 20-21
One important event in support of Lt. Watada’s courageous stand in
opposition to the illegal and immoral occupation war in Iraq already
underway is citizen’s hearing to be held in the Seattle area over
January 20-21. Confirmed participants include David Kreiger and
Daniel Ellsberg, while Veterans for Peace and Gold Star Families for
Peace have joined the effort. More information coming soon!
Bob Watada, currently in middle of a cross-country speaking tour in
support of his son Ehren, responded to the referral of charges by
declaring, “People come up and tell us that Ehren is a true American
hero. Of course, we are concerned about the outcome of the trial, but
we are very gratified with the enormous support from a broad sector
of the American people."
Visit www.ThankYouLt.org for up-to-date information for the campaign
to support Lt. Ehren Watada.
Kyle Snyder remains AWOL, continues to speak out against the war
Kyle Snyder, with Ehren Watada's father Bob, step-mother Rosa, and
Iraq War resister Darrell Anderson, in Cincinnati, Ohio. November 2,
2006. Photo: Maleah Friesen
Kyle Snyder, Iraq veteran and war resister, remains AWOL after
returning last week from Canada and attempting to be discharged from
the Army.
At the risk of arrest, he is speaking out bravely on behalf of war
resisters and active duty GI's. Kyle has been speaking to the media,
in public forums, to university students, to military age youth and
even to those in the military.
“When I joined the Army I took an oath to defend the U.S.
Constitution, and that is what I am doing. By refusing to fight in
an illegal war, I am obeying international laws," Snyder explains.
His former unit, the 94th Engineers, now based at Fort Leonard Wood,
MO, is slated to return to Iraq in January for the 3rd time. The Army
wants Kyle to return to that unit, and will not say what they will do
when he does. Military authorities at Ft. Leonard Wood have not yet
returned calls from Snyder's attorney, Jim Fennerty, of Chicago.
Call Ft. Leonard Wood Fort Leonard Wood Office of the Commanding
General Major General William McCoy, Jr., 573-596-0131 and the Public
Affairs Office, 573-563-4013 email:alleym@wood.army.mil
Demand that the Army "Discharge Kyle Snyder with No Punishment"
It is clear that the vast majority of Americans want the war to end
and the troops to come home. This is the moment to give our full
support to Kyle Snyder and all war resisters.
Send your words of encouragement and support to Kyle Snyder
at:supportkyle@couragetoresist.org
Donations are still urgently needed for Kyle's legal and political
defense!
For updated action alerts, information, and to donate visit:
www.CouragetoResist.org/kylesnyder
Take Action to Support GI Resistance and GI Rights Dec. 8-10th!
Military resisters, their families, veterans and concerned community
members call for public actions and events Dec. 8-10th!
GET INVOLVED TODAY!
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