...LA GUERRA ES LA ANTITESIS DE LA PAZ Y NOSOTRAS LUCHAMOS POR LA PAZ...

28 de febrero de 2006

Pablo Paredes demanda a la Marina de Guerra

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
PABLO PAREDES SUES NAVY

Pablo Paredes, the San Diego-based sailor who refused to board his Iraq-bound ship last December 6, filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in Federal District Court today. The petition says that the Navy improperly rejected his application for discharge as a conscientious objecto and asks the Court to order the Navy to give Paredes an honorable discharge.

“Recognizing the legitimacy of a person's conscientious objection to war is a magnanimous concession that our country yields to it’s citizens. When true and deeply held, such beliefs must be respected, otherwise the first victim of war is a piece of our nation's humanity. I am taking my objection to the federal courts to ensure that a human being's right to a moral opposition to war is respected, and not dismissed capriciously or frivolously as the Navy has done in my case.” – Pablo Paredes.


Paredes’ application for discharge as a conscientious objector was denied by the Navy on July 6, 2005. Since then, Paredes, an Amnesty International declared prisoner of conscience, has been serving the sentence from his court martial. His sentence is scheduled to be completed on October 4, 2005.

The basis of the petition is that, while Paredes’ application showed that he met the criteria to be discharged as a conscientious objector, the Navy denied his request without giving any reason as is required by regulations. Since Paredes made a prima facie case for his opposition to war in any form on the basis of deeply held moral and ethical beliefs, and since the Navy had no reason and no basis in fact for denying his claim, the Navy acted improperly and should now discharge him as a conscientious objector.


Paredes is represented by San Diego Attorneys Jeremy Warren and Robert Swain. According to Swain, Paredes’ prospects in court are good. “The right of service members to challenge denial of conscientious objection claims on the basis that the denial lacks a basis in fact is well established. In this case, the Navy failed to offer any reason at all. He was interviewed by a Chaplain who felt that Pablo’s beliefs were so strong and sincere that he said it was a ‘moral imperative’ that Pablo be discharged as a conscientious objector. In the face of this kind of finding, the Navy said nothing at all.”


Paredes currently faces an administrative board of separation on September 23rd. The Navy will convene a board of officers that will decide the appropriate level of separation. In light of this development, his petition for writ of habeas corpus is key.

On December 6, 2004, Paredes arrived at the 32nd St. Naval Station as his ship, the USS Bonhomme Richard, was preparing to embark with a cargo of Marines for Iraq. Paredes refused to board the ship, saying that he could not participate in transporting Marines to an illegal and immoral war in which many of them might be killed, and in which they would be involved in killing Iraqis. After a brief absence, he returned to the Navy on December 18, 2004. On January 4, 2005, he submitted his request for discharge as a conscientious objector.


Paredes was tried by special court martial and found guilty of missing movement by design. At the court martial, Paredes said that he acted on the basis of conscience and on his understanding of his responsibility as a service member not to participate in war crimes, such as by contributing to a war initiated in violation of international law.


Although he faced a maximum punishment of 12 months confinement, forfeiture of 2/3 pay, reduction in rank, and a Bad Conduct Discharge, Paredes was sentenced to just 60 days restriction, 90 days of hard labor without confinement, and reduction in rank. His sentence was far less than that of other war resisters such as Stephen Funk and Camilo Mejia.



Main Contact:
Victor Paredes (917) 864-9179
vicparedes@msn.com
www.swiftsmartveterans.com

21 de febrero de 2006

4 Latinos Emprenderan Marcha Por Paz

Four influential Latino peace activists will lead a 241 mile quest for peace!

On March 12, 2006 Fernando Suarez del Solar, Pablo Paredes, Camilo Mejia and Aidan Delgado will lead a coalition of the willing across a 241 mile quest for peace that aims at raising Latino voice of opposition to the War in Iraq. The March will run from Tijuana, Mexico all the way to The Mission district of San Francisco making strategic, symbolic and ceremonial stops along the way. The 241 mile march is inspired by Gandhi’s 1930 Salt March protesting British imperialism and will serve as a loud cry for an end to the bloodshed in Iraq.

Latinos represent nearly 15% of the US population, 11% of the US military and an estimated 20% of the fallen service members in Iraq. The Latino population is a growing force in the US and their voice must be an active part of the more than 60% of US citizens that oppose the war in Iraq. That’s why on March 12th, 4 Latinos of different ages, nationalities and hometowns will come together to lead the Latino community in a loud and definitive call for an end to the war in Iraq. Because of their unique experiences with this war; Fernando, Pablo, Camilo and Aidan are dedicated to working to end the bloodshed in Iraq.

Fernando Suarez del Solar is the father of one of the first Latinos to die in Iraq: Jesus Suarez del Solar. Fernando discovered that Jesus was the victim of an illegal US cluster bomb through a well know recent victim of the war, (co-anchor of ABC’s World News Tonight) Bob Woodruff. Pablo Paredes is a Navy war resister who refused boarding an Iraq bound ship on Dec. 6th 2004. He was court martialed, sentenced and eventually discharged. Camilo Mejia served one tour in Iraq and then became a National Guard war resister. He was jailed for nine months for his opposition to the war. Aidan Delgado is a Conscientious Objector of the Iraq war. He served at Abu Gharib and now tours the country with slide shows of the prison abuses.

These 4 men will lead a 241 mile march that will begin at the birth place of Jesus Suarez del Solar – Tijuana, Mexico - as a symbolic call for peace beyond borders. The march route is designed to follow Jesus’ footsteps whiling stopping at places with symbolic or historical significance. After departing from Tijuana, the march will head towards Escondido, CA where Jesus was first recruited by the US military and where his body currently rests. The next major stop will be at the Marine Corps depot from where Jesus and many others have been deployed to Iraq: Camp Pendleton. The intention is to present a symbolic redeployment to peace; therefore the marching caravan will be led from Camp Pendleton to La Paz, CA. La Paz means “peace” in English and is the resting place of a revered Latino leader, Cesar Chavez. This group of dedicated Latinos will end the march on March 26 at the Mission District of San Francisco with a blood drive to benefit those in need in Iraq (civilian and Military) and a memorial service for Jesus. The blood drive will serve to demonstrate that despite their opposition to the war, they do support our troops and wish for them to come home now and end the bloodshed.

Gandhi’s 241 mile Salt March is one of the most impactful non-violent acts of protest and civil disobedience in pursuit of social justice in history. This legacy has been vibrant in all Latino Social Justice movements such as those led by Cesar Chavez. Fernando, Pablo, Camilo and Aidan wish to rekindle this tradition and put Gandhi’s spirit into practice in search for peace.

All four leaders of this march are available for interviews and all press is invited to cover this historic march for peace.


Main Contacts:
Primara: Pablo Paredes (619) 857-4947
pablopare@gmail.com
Victor Paredes (917) 864-9179
vicparedes@msn.com


www.swiftsmartveterans.com

Marcha Por La Paz

March for Peace

Objective: A 241 mile march that aims at ensuring that the Latino voice of opposition to the War is heard loud and clear across the Americas.

WHAT/ WHEN: Fernando Suarez del Solar, Pablo Paredes, Camilo Mejia and Aidan Delgado will lead a coalition of the willing across this 241 mile quest for peace starting in Tijuana, Mexico, going through Marine Corps Depot Camp Pendleton to the Cesar Chavez burial site in La Paz, CA, culminating in The Mission district of San Francisco with a memorial ceremony and blood drive.
The March will begin on 12 March 2006. The coalition of the willing will arrive at La Paz, CA on 22 March 2006 and culminate in San Francisco from 26 March 2006 to 27 March 2006.

WHY: Latinos represent nearly 15% of the US population and 11% of the US military, with many serving in combat or hazardous duty occupations. In addition, an estimated 20% of the fallen service members are Latino. With the continued growth of the Latino population and its vital importance to the future of this country, it is time the Latino community become an active and vocal part of the 60%+ of US citizens that oppose this War. It is also time to show the Latino community that they have a voice and a right to fight for peace and stability. Fernando Suarez Del Solar is committed to self-sacrifice. At 50 years of age he cares more about ending this war than even his own health. We make this call not only to the Latino population but to all those who agree with our message “No more bloodshed in Iraq”.


About the Route and Structure



Why 241 miles?
Last Year was the 75th anniversary of Gandhi’s Salt March one of the most impactful non-violent acts of protest and civil disobedience in pursuit of social justice in history. Gandhi marched 241 miles to free India from British imperialism. This legacy has been vibrant in all Latino Social Justice movements. Cesar Chavez was a disciple of Gandhi. We wish to rekindle this tradition and one year after the 75th , we wish to put Gandhi’s spirit into practice rather than wait for the next milestone to honor his memory.

About the march leaders:
Fernando Suarez Del Solar Is the father of one of the first Latinos to die in Iraq. He was lied to about his son’s death, found the truth in Iraq with the help of a well know recent victim of the war, (co-anchor of ABC’s World News Tonight) Bob Woodruff. His son Jesus stepped on an illegal US cluster bomb. Since then Fernando is a tireless advocate for peace.
Pablo Paredes Navy war resister who refused boarding an Iraq bound ship on Dec. 6th 2004. He was court martialed, sentenced and now speaks out for Peace.
Camilo Mejia Served one tour in Iraq and then became a National Guard war resister. He was jailed for nine months for his opposition to the war and is now a prominent anti-war speaker and member of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW).
Aidan Delgado Is a Conscientious Objector of the Iraq war. He served at Abu Gharib and now tours the country with slide shows of the prison abuses.

Jesus Suarez Del Solar Fernando’s son Jesus was born in Tijuana, Mexico in November of 1982. He was educated at PS 44 and in 1995 came to the United States, with dreams of joining the Marines. He realized his dream in 2001 well before 911. Jesus deployed to Iraq from MCD Camp Pendleton in February of 2003, with dreams of liberating the children of Iraq. Seven days into the invasion of Iraq, on the 27th of March 2003, Jesus stepped on an illegal US cluster bomb. Jesus died shortly after.

About the march route:
Tijuana The march from Tijuana across the US-Mexico Border is a symbolic gesture of Peace without borders. Jesus Suarez del Solar was born and educated in this beautiful city, our march will also be born in Tijuana and we also wish that our gesture serves to educate around border issues and peace.
Escondido Escondido is the city in which Jesus was recruited and today is buried. We wish to trace Jesus’ steps and then continue his fight for the children of Iraq and America in the name of peace rather than war.
Pendleton Marine Corps Depot Camp Pendleton is the place where Jesus and many of our youth are trained for war. Jesus deployed from Pendleton to Iraq. We wish to rewrite history with our march and deploy our soldiers from MCD Camp Pendleton to La Paz.
La Paz La Paz translates to The Peace, and is the burial site of Cesar Chavez. We wish to evoke his legacy and lead our coalition to peace.
San Francisco San Francisco’s Mission district is predominantly Latino. We will hold a service in the mission to commemorate Jesus. We will also stage a blood drive. The blood donated will be equally distributed to cope with Iraqi as well as coalition needs.


The March will arrive in all the following cities Tijuana, San Diego, Escondido, Camp Pendleton, Santa Ana, Los Angeles, San Fernando, Palmdale, Rosamond, Keene (La Paz), Fresno, San Jose, and San Francisco.

OUR REQUESTS: We need help in many areas.

Funding: We are going to fly in Camilo Mejia and Aiden Delgado; this will consist of 4 roundtrip tickets as they have an engagement in the middle of our march in Mobile Alabama. We have estimated the travel fees at $1800. We will drive a caravan along with our march. Gas and meals will be a considerable expense; we want to reserve $1000 for this. The service will come with a fee as well. The blood drive will consist of volunteers but will still incur some costs. For these and other unimaginable expenses we seek economic support of groups who support our march. We have estimated our costs at $5000.00

Personnel: We need volunteers to help with the march. We seek EMS qualified folks to ride in the trailer/caravan and provide first aid where necessary. We seek local organizing at all levels to complement our march. Drivers. We have some volunteers already but no one to drive the whole way.

Media: We seek every means of spreading the word available local and national, English speaking and Latino aimed, student and civilian, church and secular etc.
We will provide press releases and materials to ensure that communication about the event is focused, unified and clear.

Logistics: Local contacts for permits or liaisons with local police. Points of contacts for already existing events in localities we may cross, so as to be complimentary and not seen as competition.

Donations: Donations can be made at www.swiftsmartveterans.com or by contacting the organizers directly. In the event we have a surplus our proceeds will be equally divided between the Guerrero Azteca Scholarship Program and the Common Ground Relief Collective to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims.

Contacts: For Information please contact:
Fernando Suárez del Solar at 760-233-0630 or at l 858-774-0172
and via e-mail at fernando@guerreroazteca.org
and Pablo Paredes via e-mail at pablopare@gmail.com


www.swiftsmartveterans.com

18 de febrero de 2006

Puerto Rico se une al Mundo en la Jornada Mundial Contra la Guerra

Puerto Rico (a U.S.A. colony)

Hato Rey
Mothers Against the War in Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Contact: Sonia Santiago
email: madrescontralaguerra@yahoo.com
Activity Details: Mothers Against the War In Puerto Rico is organizing a demonstration against the war on Saturday, March 18, 11:00 am in front of the National Guard on Roosevelt Avenue in Hato Rey, denouncing the occupation, as well as militarism within the context of colonial occupation in Puerto Rico. End the War in Irak and Aphganistan now, US Army out of Puerto Rico!

South Korea

Troops Out Now Coalition D.C.
Contact Pam Parker
202-232-0057
email:
iacenterdc@yahoo.com
Activity Details: In formation. Contact or check back for details.

Australia

Melbourne
Melbourne Stop the War Coalition
www.stopwarcoalition.org
info@stopwarcoalition.org
Activity details: Demonstrate at 17:30 on March 17, Cnr Swanston & Latrobe Sts, CBD, Melbourne

Sydney
Sydney Stop the War Coalition
www.stopwarcoalition.org
info@stopwarcoalition.org
Activity details: Demonstrate on March 18 at 13:00 at Belmore Park (opp Central station)

Canada

Comox, BC
War Resisters Support Campaign
website:
resister.ca
Activity details: Demonstrate at Comox Air Base at 1:00 on March 18

Ottawa
Together Against War / Ensemble contra la guerre
website:
www.nowar-paix.ca
Activity details: Demonstrate at the National Art Gallery at 1:00 on March 18

Toronto
Toronto Coalition to Stop the War
website:
www.nowar.ca
Activity details: Demonstrate at US Consulate, 360 University Ave, 1:00 on March 18

Vancouver
Stopwar.ca
website:
www.stopwar.ca
Activity details: Demonstrate at Peace Flame Park (south end of Burrard Street Bridge), 11:30 on March 18

Catalonia

Barcelona
Plataforma Aturem la Guerra
website:
www.aturemlaguerra.org
Activity details: Demonstrate at 17:00 on March 18 at Ronda St Pere/Pg de Gràcia

Denmark

Aarhus
Aarhus mod krig og terror
website:
www.nejtilkrig.dk
Activity details: Demonstrate at Klostertorv at 12:00 on March 18

Aalborg
website:
www.nejtilkrig.dk
Activity details: Demonstrate on March 18

Copenhagen
Nej til krig
website:
www.nejtilkrig.dk
Activity details: Demonstrate at US Embassy, Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24, 12:00 on March 18

Germany

http://www.irakkoordination.de/2006jahrestagirakkrieg.htm
Activity Details: Internationaler Aktionstag zum 3. Jahrestag des Irakkrieges

Aktionstag am 18. März 2006

Am 20. März 2003 begann trotz weltweiter Proteste der US-geführte Überfall auf den Irak. Auf einem bundesweiten Treffen am 28. Januar 2006 in Berlin verständigten sich verschiedene Gruppen und Organisationen der Friedens- und Solidaritätsbewegungen darauf, zu regionalen Aktionen am dritten Jahrestag dieses Angriffs aufzurufen.

International Day of Action On the 3rd Anniversary of the Iraq war

Day of Action on March 18, 2006

On March 20, 2003, despite worldwide protests the U.S.-led attack on Iraq began.
At a nationwide meeting on Jan. 28, 2006, in Berlin various groups and organizations In the peace or solidarity movements agreed to call regional actions on the third anniversary of this invasion.

Great Britain

London
Stop the War Coalition
27 Britannia Street, London WC1X 9JP UK
telephone: 020 7278 6694
email:
office@stopwar.org.uk
Activity Details: Saturday March 18, 2006 Assemble 12 Noon Parliament Square

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Children of Iraq Association
COIA, Walnut Tree, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Great Britain
telephone: +44190823 4948
email:
coia@coia.org.uk
Activity Details: Bright-Minds collection for charity

Indonesia

Jakarta
Komunitas Anti Perang
website:
anti-perang.blogspot.com
Activity Details: Saturday March 18, 2006, 12:00 - Bunderan HI

Italy

Florence
US Citizens Against War
Contact: John Gilbert
email:
gilbert@fol.it
Activity Details: Saturday March 18, 2006 - Organize participation in national demonstration against war and occupation in Rome, Italy on 18 March
Feb 11-12 National Anti-War Assembly, Florence, Italy

Rome
Activity Details: Saturday March 18, 2006 - National demonstration against war and occupation
Feb 18, National demonstration for Palestine, Rome, Italy

Mexico

Tijuana
Jesús Suárez del Solar Navarro Memorial Latin@ March for Peace from Tijuana to La Paz to San Francisco
Activity Details: March 12 - 27
In memory of Jesús Suárez del Solar Navarro, USMC and so many others.

Objective: A 241 mile march that aims at ensuring that the Latino voice of opposition to the War is heard loud and clear across the Americas.

WHAT/ WHEN: Fernando Suarez del Solar, Pablo Paredes, Camilo Mejia and Aidan Delgado will lead a coalition of the willing across this 241 mile quest for peace starting in Tijuana, Mexico, going through Marine Corps Depot Camp Pendleton to the Cesar Chavez burial site in La Paz, CA, culminating in The Mission district of San Francisco with a memorial ceremony and blood drive. The March will begin on 12 March 2006. The coalition of the willing will arrive at La Paz, CA on 22 March 2006 and culminate in San Francisco from 26 March 2006 to 27 March 2006.

WHY: Latinos represent nearly 15% of the US population and 11% of the US military, with many serving in combat or hazardous duty occupations. In addition, an estimated 20% of the fallen service members are Latino. With the continued growth of the Latino population and its vital importance to the future of this country, it is time the Latino community become an active and vocal part of the 60%+ of US citizens that oppose this War. It is also time to show the Latino community that they have a voice and a right to fight for peace and stability. Fernando Suarez Del Solar is committed to self-sacrifice. At 50 years of age he cares more about ending this war than even his own health. We make this call not only to the Latino population but to all those who agree with our message: No more bloodshed in Iraq!

New Zealand

Aukland
Communist Workers Group
Contact: Dave Brown
email:
cwganz@yahoo.com
Activity Details: In formation, contact or check back for details

Wellington
New Zealand Peace Council
Box 703 Wellington 5560 New Zealand
Contact: Barney Richards
email:
bt.richards@xtra.co.nz
Activity Details: In formation, contact or check back for details

Norway

Oslo
Peace Initiativ
Activity Details: Demonstration:
- End the occupation
- Let Iraq have peace!
- Send Bush to the Hague!
- No more threats
- No new war!

Poland

Warsaw
Polish Stop the War Initiative / Inicjatywa STOP wojnie
Activity Details: Demonstration: Sunday, March 19, 12:00
March 17: Concert
March 18: Anti-war Conference

Portugal

Lisbon
Iraq -Three years of occupation, three years of resistance
Coalition including CGTP, CPPC, local unions, political parties and civic associations
Activity Details:
- 17 March: political meeting in Lisbon , with the presence of iraqi representatives
- 18 March: demonstration in Lisbon (afternoon); concert by iraqi musicians in Almada, near Lisbon (night)
- 19 March: possible concert in Oporto
- Other concerts depending on the support of local municipalities.

Soeul
Korean Action against deployment of Troops to Iraq
website:
www.antiwar.or.kr/
Activity Details: 3.19 international antiwar joint action in Seoul on March 19th

Sweden

Stockholm
Nej til Krig
website:
www.motkrig.org
Activity Details: Demonstrate 13:00 March 18 Sergels Torg

Switzerland

Geneva
Coalition Contre La Guerre
website:
www.gssa.ch/antiguerre/
Activity Details: demonstrate 12:00 March 18

Turkey

Adana
Global Peace and Justice Coalition
website:
www.kureselbarisveadalet.org
Activity Details: demonstrate 12:00 March 18 ncirlik USA military airbase

Ankara
Global Peace and Justice Coalition
website:
www.kureselbarisveadalet.org
Activity Details: demonstrate 12:00 March 18 U.S. Embassy

Istanbul
Istanbul
website:
www.kureselbarisveadalet.org
Activity Details: demonstrate 12:00 March 18 kadikoy meydani

Izmir
Izmir
website:
www.kureselbarisveadalet.org
Activity Details: demonstrate 12:00 March 18 Konak meydan



Call of the Assembly of the European Social Forum in Italy:

EUROPEAN APPEAL FOR 18 MARCH AGAINST THE WAR

March 18-19 2006

INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST THE WAR AND THE OCCUPATIONS
WAR NEVER AGAIN
PEACE the ONLY EMERGENCY

Three years ago, a coalition guided from the US government started the war against the Iraq. Today, the reasons to mobilize against the war are more and more obvious. The 18 and 19 March 2006 we will demonstrate in all Europe, along with the American and all movements

- for the immediate and unconditioned withdrawal of all the foreign troops from the Iraq

- against preventive war, its extension to Syria, to the Iran and the Middle EAst, for a peaceful solution of the Kurd issue

- for the end of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and East Jerusalemm, for the performance of all the international resolutions, for a just peace between Israel and Palestine, for the creation of an independent Palestine

- for disarmament, reduction of military expenses, elimination of the foreign military bases and the weapons of mass destruction

- for foreign political alternatives, that they refuse the logic of neoliberalism and they construct fair relations between the people

- for the respect of the human rights, the defense of the freedoms democratics and civilians against the repression, the end of the tortures, the illegal detainments, the secret prisons.

ASSEMBLY OF SOCIAL MOVEMENTS gathered at World Social Forum, Caracas, Venezuela

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM:

Series of Global Protests to Begin in March

Humberto Márquez

CARACAS, Jan 29 (IPS) - A day of international protests against the occupation of Iraq, on Mar. 18, will mark the start of a series of demonstrations and mobilisations organised at the sixth World Social Forum, which ended Sunday in Venezuela.

A conference against the U.S. occupation of Iraq will be held Mar. 24-27 in Cairo, Egypt, announced the international Assembly of Social Movements, which met on the final day of the WSF in Caracas.

Some 2,200 civil society organisations organised nearly 1,800 seminars, panels, workshops and other activities during the five-day WSF, which served as a meeting-place for sharing ideas and experiences, but also for organising networks to undertake concrete campaigns, as advocated by the Assembly of Social Movements.

"We have around 300 organisations and networks that bring together more than 900 groups interested in taking part in this programme of campaigns," Piero Bernocchi with COBAS, an Italian alternative network of trade unions, told IPS.

Speaking before thousands of participants at the Forum on Friday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez said he hoped the WSF did not turn into merely a "revolutionary tourism" activity, and called for it to come up with programmes for concrete action against "political imperialism" and neoliberal, free-market economic policies.

from World Social Forum at Bamako,
THE BAMAKO APPEAL CALLS SPECIFICALLY FOR:

1. FOR A MULTIPOLAR WORLD SYSTEM FOUNDED ON PEACE, LAW AND NEGOTIATION

In order to imagine an authentic multipolar world system which rejects the control of planet by the United States of America and guarantees the whole gamut of rights for politically active citizens and for the people to control their destinies, it is necessary:
1) to reinforce the movement protesting against war and military occupations, as well as solidarity with the people in struggle in the hot spots of the planet. In this respect, it would be very important that the world demonstration against the war in Iraq and the military presence in Afghanistan envisaged for March 18 and 19, 2006, coincides with:

  • the prohibition of the use and the manufacture of nuclear weapons and destruction of all the existing arsenals;
  • the dismantling of all the military bases outside of national territory, in particular the base in Guantánamo [ U.S.-occupied Cuba];
  • the immediate closing of all the CIA-run prisons.

2) to reject any interventions by NATO outside Europe and to require that the European partners dissociate from themselves from U.S. preventive wars, while engaging in a campaign intended to dissolve NATO.
3) to reaffirm solidarity with the people of Palestine, who symbolize resistance to world apartheid, as expressed by the wall establishing the divide between civilization and barbarism. For this purpose, to give priority to reinforcing the campaigns that demand the demolition of the wall of shame and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the occupied territories.
4) to widen the solidarity campaigns with Venezuela and Bolivia, since these are places where people are building alternatives to neoliberalism and crafting Latin-American integration;
Besides these campaigns, it could be also considered to:

  • set up of a network of researchers, working in close connection with associations of militants acting at the local level, to build extensive and up-to-date data bases concerning U.S. and NATO military bases. Precise information on these military and strategic questions would make it possible to increase the effectiveness of the campaigns carried out to dismantle them;
  • create of an observer group, an Imperialism Watch, which would not only denounce wars and war propaganda, but also expose all operations and pressures, economic and other, exerted on the peoples of the world; create a worldwide anti-imperialist network that could coordinate a variety of mobilizations throughout the planet.

16 de febrero de 2006

Madres Contra la Guerra aportó donativo para esta Peregrinación Por La Paz, nuestro Pablo Paredes es uno de los organizadores:

Objetivo:  Una marcha de 241 millas con la intención de asegurar que la voz latina que se opone a la guerra en Irak resuene claramente a través de las Américas.
 
¿QUE / CUANDO? : Fernando Suárez del Solar, Pablo Paredes, Camilo Mejia y Aidan Delgado encabezarán una coalición a través del estado en su búsqueda por la paz, empezando en   Tijuana, B.C. y pasando por la base Marine Corps Depot Camp Pendleton hasta la tumba de Cesar Chávez en La Paz, California y terminando en el distrito Misión de San Francisco con una misa y una colecta de sangre.   La marcha empieza el 12 de marzo 2006.  La coalición llegará a La Paz, California el 22 de marzo 2006 y termina en San Francisco los días 26 y 27 de marzo 2006.  
 
¿POR QUE? :  Los latinos representamos casi el 15% de la población de EEUU y el 11% de las fuerzas armadas de EEUU con muchos en los rangos más bajos y los trabajos más peligrosos. Es más; casi el 20% de los caídos durante los primeros días de   la invasión de Irak eran latinos.. Con el crecimiento de la población latina y su importancia para el futuro de EEUU, ya es tiempo que los latinos formen parte del más de   60% de los ciudadanos estadounidenses que se opone a la guerra. También es tiempo que los latinos tengan una voz y el derecho de luchar por la paz y la tranquilidad. Fernando Suárez Del Solar se ha comprometido al sacrificio personal.   A sus cincuenta años, le importa más poner fin a esta guerra que su propia salud.  Hacemos este llamado no solo a la comunidad latina sino a todos los que están de acuerdo con nuestro mensaje:   "Alto al derramamiento de sangre  en Irak."
 

Sobre la ruta y la estructura:

 

¿Por qué 241 millas?
 
El año pasado marcó el 75 aniversario de la Marcha de Sal de Gandhi, uno de los actos más importantes de protesta no-violenta en pro de la justicia social.   Gandhi marchó 241 millas para liberar a la India del colonialismo británico. Este legado ha sido vivo en los movimientos sociales de los latinos y latinas en EEUU.   El gran líder México-americano Cesar Estrada Chávez era discípulo de Gandhi.   Queremos invocar esta tradición para realizar el espíritu de Gandhi poniéndolo en practica hoy en vez de esperar otra ocasión histórica para recordarlo solamente.
 

Sobre los organizadores:
Fernando Suárez
Del Solar
Padre de uno de los primeros latinos que murió en Irak.  El gobierno mintió sobre cómo murió su hijo y el descubrió la verdad solo con la ayuda de otra víctima reciente de la guerra—el locutor de ABC World News Tonight­ Bob Woodruff.   Su hijo Jesús pisó una bomba racimo ilegal de las fuerzas estadounidenses.  Desde entonces Fernando se ha dedicado a la lucha por la paz.
Pablo Paredes
Como miembro de las fuerzas navales de EEUU se negó embarcar a su buque de guerra que iba a Irak el 6 de diciembre 2004.   Fue procesado y sentenciado y ahora aboga por la paz.
Camilo Mejia
Sirvió en Irak en la Guardia Nacional y se negó regresar.  Fue encarcelado por nueve meses por oponerse a la guerra y ahora es una voz fuerte en contra de la guerra y miembro de los Veteranos de Irak en contra de la Guerra (IVAW).
Aidan Delgado
Sirvió en la cárcel de Abu Gharib donde presenció la tortura y el abuso.  Se hizo objetor de conciencia y ahora da presentaciones sobre sus experiencias en Irak.
Jesús Suárez
Del Solar
 
El hijo de Fernando nacido en Tijuana, BC en noviembre de 1982.  Fue educado en la EP 44 y llegó a EEUU en 1995 con el
propósito de enrolarse en los U.S. Marines.  Se hizo Infante de Marina en 2001 antes de los ataques del 11 de septiembre.   Fue enviado a Irak , desde el depot de Infantes de Marina Camp Pendleton en febrero de 2003 con el sueño de liberar a los niños de Irak.   En el séptimo día de la invasión, el 27de marzo de 2003, pisó una bomba racimo ilegal de las fuerzas estadounidenses y murió horas después.


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Posted by MCG to Madres Contra la Guerra at 2/16/2006 10:39:23 PM

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Madres Contra la Guerra
http://madrescontralaguerra.blogspot.com

11 de febrero de 2006

Comunicado de Prensa: Río Piedras 11/2/06

11 de febrero de 2006
Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
 
           Decenas de participantes  nos congregamos hoy en el trigésimo piquete de Madres Contra la Guerra frente a instalaciones militares de reclutamiento de la milicia estadounidense en Puerto Rico .   Madres Contra la Guerra publica este testimonio, del valiente joven militar puertorriqueño Carlos Lugo Lorenzo, efectivo de la Guardia Nacional de Puerto Rico, en su reclamo por convertirse en objetor por consciencia, estatus legítimo reconocido por el reglamento militar.   Estaremos en todo su proceso administrativo, apoyándole.

    "Orville Gerena Quiñones, el marino de guerra  que murió en Irak en la madrugada el pasado 6 de febrero estudiaba conmigo en la escuela superior Eugenio María de Hostos. En ese momento él estaba en décimo grado y yo en doce. Eramos amigos .Lo conocí a través de mi hermano. En el poco tiempo que estuvimos en la escuela supe que era una buena persona y buen amigo. Lo recuerdo y me acuerdo que al poco tiempo de yo estar en la universidad me habían comentado que se había enlistado en los marines y yo en esos momentos desconocía por completo tales decisiones que se toman y como éramos engañados. Los reclutadores entran en las escuelas a esparcir la miseria y las mentiras que salen de sus mentes y bocas putrefactas usurpando a los jóvenes que quieren superarse y tener una educación sin muchos contratiempos económicos. En la Hostos venían muchos de estos gusanos con uniformes elegantes y llenos de soberbia.
 
         Comprendo las justificaciones que dio el gobierno de Estados Unidos para lograr invadir a Irak en su deseo de apoderarse de los recursos naturales de energía que allí se encuentran: " Saddam Husseim posee armas de destrucción masiva capaz de lograr una gran catástrofe y sembrar el terror;  Saddam Husseim tiene vínculos estrechos con la red terrorista de Al Qaeda".  Todo esto una farsa para lograr una guerra con fines mercantiles y estratégicos sin importarle realmente los mas de 100,000 civiles, todos ellos mujeres, madres, jóvenes, niños, hombres con un futuro por delante apagados eternamente.
 
          El gobierno estadounidense al invadir Irak llevó a cabo un acto de barbarie, ejecutado por bandidos que han demostrado un absoluto desprecio a las leyes internacionales y los derechos humanos. Una invasión militar arbitraria basada en mentiras sobre mentiras con el único propósito de apoderarse de sus recursos naturales y seguir manteniendo el poder absoluto. Por estas razones declino en apoyar y participar en guerras inútiles que nada aportan al desarrollo de la humanidad y solo traen torturas, asesinatos, bombas de todo tipo, miseria, un sin número de muertes para el pueblo iraquí y a esto le llamamos "llevar la libertad y democracia a Oriente Medio".
 
        Yo, Carlos Enrique Lugo Lorenzo, miembro de la Guardia Nacional de los Estados Unidos en Puerto Rico establecido en la Alpha 130th de la compañía del Batallón de Ingeniería en Aguadilla me niego rotundamente a servir en las filas del ejército estadounidense en caso de ser activado, me declaro objetor por conciencia".
 
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¡HOY Sábado 11 de febrero de 2006!

PROTESTA
EN DENUNCIA DEL RECLUTAMIENTO
Y CONTRA LA GUERRA EN IRAK Y AFGANISTAN
¡Acompáñanos en el piquete combativo contra el reclutamiento de nuestros jóvenes puertorriqueños para sus guerras genocidas e inetresadas!
Todos a la Calle Georgetti frente a la oficina de reclutamiento del ARMY en Río Piedras, frente a la plaza de 12:00 a 1:00 pm.

9 de febrero de 2006

23-year-old soldier faces court martial over refusal to deploy

By RAQUEL RUTLEDGE
Posted: Jan. 20, 2006

Pfc. Katherine Jashinski dresses in uniform every day, but instead of 
drilling for war with fellow soldiers, she spends her time on an Army post 
in Georgia sweeping floors, scrubbing bathrooms and wondering whether she's 
headed for jail.

The 23-year-old soldier from Wautoma, a member of the Texas National Guard, 
refuses to pick up a gun. She disobeyed orders to attend weapons training 
and refused to deploy to Afghanistan with her unit, moves the military 
considers criminal.

Jashinski does not want to go to Afghanistan, Iraq or anywhere with the 
Army. She says she disagrees with war of any sort, could never kill anyone, 
and wants out of her six-year contract.

"I thought about going to Canada, but I don't feel like I should have to 
leave the country for something like this," Jashinski said. "I don't feel 
like I should have to run from my government. I should face them instead."

Jashinski is among a growing number of military members seeking to shed 
their uniforms and cut loose from their commitments to fight on behalf of 
the United States. They're seeking all sorts of outs including medical, 
psychological, pregnancy and dependency discharges, and more and more like 
Jashinski are applying for conscientious objector status.

Some call them cowards, noting that nobody forced them to join. Others 
champion their courage. As war rages in the Middle East, some troops who 
volunteered for military service are sparking controversy by now espousing 
peace amid a monolithic muscle machine dependent on soldiers following orders.
Disagreement over the numbers

Conscientious objectors constitute a minuscule number of the military's 1.4 
million active-duty members, officials say.

"The numbers have gone up marginally," said Army spokeswoman Lt. Col. 
Pamela Hart. "But we have a lot more individuals on active duty."

In all, 110 troops sought honorable discharges from the military through 
conscientious objector applications in 2005, more than double the number in 
2001, according to figures supplied by the service branches.

Those defending objectors say the numbers are much higher.

J.E. McNeil, executive director of the Center on Conscience & War, a 
Washington D.C.-based non-profit that has supported the rights of 
conscientious objectors since the 1940s, said her organization alone helped 
nearly 100 troops file the complex paperwork in 2005.

"That's ridiculous," McNeil said of the military's figures. "The numbers 
don't jibe. I know of at least another 20 groups that do what I do, plus 
people do it on their own or with the help of local ministers."

McNeil said she hears from military members whose sergeants tear up their 
paperwork and of many cases where the paperwork is repeatedly lost.

Military officials acknowledge that some applications may have been lost, 
but they said they had not heard of any such cases, or of any where 
commanders destroyed an application.

"We would take that very seriously," Hart said.

The Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, a non-profit 
organization that counsels service members on ways to get out of the 
military, says calls to its GI Rights Hotline have soared in recent years, 
to 32,000 in 2005 from 12,000 in 2000. Two to three calls a month come from 
Wisconsin National Guard members, hotline counselors said.
Gaining objector status is difficult

Before refusing orders to report to weapons training, Jashinski applied for 
discharge as a conscientious objector. Her request was denied. For the 
military to approve a conscientious objector application, service members 
must show they hold a "firm, fixed and sincere objection to participation 
in war in any form or the bearing of arms," for deeply held moral, 
religious or ethical beliefs.

It's a cumbersome task, considering that they willfully joined an 
organization that has combat as one of its main missions.

Unlike the draft days of the Vietnam War, troops today must prove they came 
to their beliefs after joining the military. Their reasons may not stem 
from philosophical or political beliefs. They cannot agree with certain 
wars and object to others, under the military's definition. And to 
demonstrate their sincerity, aside from a lengthy application, troops 
seeking discharges as conscientious objectors must interview with a 
chaplain, military investigator, and a psychiatrist.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Tonn from Fond du Lac served more than three 
years in the Navy before requesting a conscientious objector discharge in 
2004. Tonn was 18 when he joined in July of 2000 "as a way to get out of 
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin," for the adventure and college money. It was 
pre-9-11 and he never thought he'd go to war.

Tonn said he realized he couldn't carry out the Navy's mission after the 
captain of the USS Lake Champlain asked him to give a speech to sailors on 
Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.

"He (King) pleaded to American soldiers they should get out of the war in 
Vietnam and it clicked with me," Tonn said. "I believed in what Martin 
Luther King said. . . . I realized I'm not going to walk down the street 
and kill someone."

Tonn's request was approved about four months later and he received an 
honorable discharge, but not before investigators tried to "trap" him with 
aggressive and passion-provoking questions, he said.

Tonn sought advice from an anti-war group before applying and interviewing 
and was prepared to answer the tough questions, he said.

Tonn said a few shipmates called him names but there was no serious 
backlash from superiors or civilians once he returned to Wisconsin. He now 
is an active member of Peace-Out and advises other troops on the 
conscientious objector process. He is attending college in Portland, Ore.
Objectors face disapproval back home

Vietnam War veteran Frank Wilke said he fought for the rights of Tonn and 
others to have freedoms like choosing to be a conscientious objector to 
war, but he disapproves of people who choose such options.

"I defend their right to do that," said Wilke, who's active in the 
Wisconsin chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. "At the same time, I 
also have the right not to associate with people who do that.

"When you do something like that, you're not only hurting your country, but 
hurting your friends and family."

Jashinski knows about that. Her decision to seek a conscientious objector 
discharge has strained her relationship with her family, she said.

"I really can't bring it up to my dad any longer," she said. "I feel like 
we'll never agree. And some of the things he says make me pretty angry."

Cindy Jashinski, Katherine's aunt, said she and her husband disagreed with 
Katherine's decision.

"We feel she committed to this. She enlisted. She should finish her time," 
Cindy Jashinski said.

Jashinski joined the Texas National Guard in 2002 after moving to Texas to 
attend college. She was 19 and wanted to "experience as much as she could," 
and to help pay for college. She said she was raised Christian and believed 
killing was wrong but that it was sometimes necessary.

"I was prepared to go to war," she said.

But her feelings and beliefs began to change over the next two years as she 
watched from her TV and computer the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and as 
she traveled the world and talked to citizens of other nations. She began 
to read history and philosophy and began questioning the morality of all 
wars, she said. By the time she received activation orders in April 2004 
and was told she'd be going to Afghanistan, she said she had decided that 
taking a human life was wrong, no matter what.

"One of the most important things a person can do is honor their word and 
keep their honor that way," she said. "But I realized I'm going to have to 
live with it for the rest of my life and that it's more important to follow 
my conscience than to fulfill a contract I signed when I was 19 and didn't 
know any better."

Jashinski filed a civil suit in federal court in San Antonio after her 
conscientious objector application was denied. The outcome of that case is 
pending. Meanwhile Jashinski has been demoted from specialist to private 
first class. She is confined to a 2-acre compound on Fort Benning while she 
awaits a court martial - similar to a civilian court trial - from the 
military. She likely faces up to one year in prison if found guilty of 
"missing movement" with her unit.

8 de febrero de 2006

A mis hermanos y hermanas de Puerto Rico

16 de noviembre de 2005 
 
     M ensaje a los puertorriqueños, de Camilo Mejía, sargento de las fuerzas armadas de Estados Unidos, quien es miembro de "Veteranos de Irak Contra la Guerra" y quien estuvo encarcelado nueve meses por negarse a volver a Irak, donde estuvo un año y medio:  Camilo está solicitando su estatus de objetor por conciencia.
   
 
 
Estimados hermanos de Puerto Rico:
 
   
     Yo les digo a todas las personas en la Isla, que están en el ejército o en alguna otra posición en las que les dicen que deben de seguir órdenes sin cuestionar y sin pensar por si mismos, que la única forma de alcanzar su libertad será el escuchar las voces de sus consciencias y actuar de   acuerdo a lo que dichas voces les piden. No habrá sentencia severa, ni barras de acero, ni cadenas en los pies ni en las manos, que logren quitarles la libertad de hacer lo que sus corazones les dicen. Ese tipo de libertad nadie se las puede quitar, y es necesario que la tomen y la hagan valer, por amor a ustedes mismos, y por amor a su patria.
 
 
Les mando mi amor, mi respeto, y el calor de mi alma, a mi Puerto Rico querido.  
 
Camilo E. Mejía
Madres Contra la Guerra
Veteranos de Irak Contra la Guerra