(Originally posted at The Military Project.)
GI SPECIAL 7H23:
BACK UP A VETERAN’S TRIP TO THE CONFERENCE:
[So far, we're short about $900 to cover cost of tickets for more Iraq/Afghanistan veterans who wish to travel to Savannah. As Sept. 6 gets closer, fares go up. Please help now. We'll borrow the money to get them there, but it has to be paid back after the Conference.
[Detailed information about the Conference follows this appeal for your help. T]
Why will active duty troops and Iraq/Afghanistan veterans meet with civilian activists in Savannah, Georgia, Labor Day weekend?
No doubt Barrack Obama’s inauguration in January was a great moment for all people concerned about ending racism and promoting the equality that Thomas Jefferson wrote about in the Declaration of Independence.
But in the context of the grand struggle to achieve equality for all humans in all areas of life, the President’s inauguration was a mere baby step.
A baby step whose ensuing honeymoon period has ended.
As President Obama continues to prolong a withdrawal from Iraq and actually escalate the occupation of Afghanistan, the need to continue reaching out to and organizing with veterans protesting the occupations has never been greater.
For this reason, The Military Project is working to facilitate a meeting of anti-occupation troops in September.
This meeting is to take place near Fort Stewart in Georgia.
We are aiming to not only to make gains in the Southeast region of the United States, but to boost the profile of outreach to soldiers on a national level.
To achieve this, representatives from Iraq Veterans Against the War from around the country are being invited to lead the discussion and planning to be conducted in Georgia in September.
The Military Project will be present to share opinions and facilitate, but The Military Project’s first priority is assisting in empowering the anti-war veterans movement.
We are asking for a donation to The Military Project that will be used for the sole purpose of transporting veterans to Georgia in September.
Your money will not be used for any sort of overhead cost.
The Military Project is taking care of that.
But we do need $1200 more right now to bring the veterans’ representatives from around the country to this meeting.
No one’s voices and no one’s actions are more important than those of veterans in the struggle to bring home our armed forces from two occupations they should never have been asked to take part in.
President Obama made a lot of popular statements about ending the current “wars” in his historic campaign, but he has made it clear that we cannot count on him to turn those messages into action.
If we want the occupations to end immediately, we are going to have to work for it ourselves.
Please help The Military Project carry out its primary and sole mission of supporting the anti-war soldier.
We cannot possibly transport all of these veterans needed at the Conference in Georgia by ourselves.
Our goal is to take any donation that you make for this cause, and turn it into action that will be more significant than just a baby step in the fight for equality.
Very respectfully,
Fabian Bouthillette, Lieutenant, USNR
Member, Iraq Veterans Against the War
Member, Military Project Organizing Committee
Jeff Englehart, Former Spc., U.S. Army, Iraq Service
Member, Military Project Organizing Committee
Member, Iraq Veterans Against the War
Camilo Mejia, Former Staff Sergeant, Florida National Guard
Member, Military Project Organizing Committee
Member, Iraq Veterans Against the War
*************************************
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MAKING IT HAPPEN:
A Military Resistance Organizers’ Conference:
U.S. Army soldier in Beijia village in Arab Jabour, south of Baghdad. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
September 6, 2009
10 AM - 6 PM
Savannah, Georgia
POLITICIANS CAN’T BE COUNTED ON TO HALT THE BLOODSHED
THE TROOPS HAVE THE POWER TO STOP THE WAR
THIS IS AN ORGANIZERS CONFERENCE LIMITED TO PEOPLE WHO WISH TO ACT TOGETHER TO SUPPORT ARMED FORCES RESISTANCE TO IMPERIAL WARS BY DIRECT FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT WITH THE TROOPS.
FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO ATTEND, SEE THE END OF THIS PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Objective:
This conference is to provide a time and place to discuss and draft operating plans for going out to active duty bases in an organized way in 2009-2010.
Bridging The Gap, The Military Project April 2008 conference, made the argument about the importance of reaching out to troops.
The objective 9.6.09 is not to turn out the general public or large numbers of people to hear that argument all over again, but to bring together committed activists, especially IVAW activists, who want to meet and develop plans for action: coordinated outreach to active duty bases.
Because people now in the armed forces or working with them will have fresh ideas about approaching a particular base, no detailed format is pre-announced as binding, within the general framework and understanding that outreach is to be led by Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans, with civilians in support.
**************************
Conference: Physical Layout
A group of tables put together in a large square, rather than an elevated stage and podium as at last conference, since this is an organizers meeting.
************************************
Outline Of The Day:
Welcome & Introduction:
Why We Are Here Today
10 AM:
Welcome
5 minutes presentation
By Jason Hurd, Savannah Iraq Veterans Against The War & Thomas Barton, Military Project; GI Special
Report on how discussion will be organized: presentation followed by free discussion
Restatement of theme: Advocacy and organization steps towards a campaign of national outreach to active duty members of the armed forces at military bases (best pick of active duty bases) in 2009-2010, led by veterans/active duty troops, as proposed by both Military Project and members of IVAW for some time.
10 minutes Discussion period:
Situation Reports:
Review Of The Military Situation In Iraq And Afghanistan Report On The Mood In The Armed Forces
10:15 AM:
Session 1: Review of the military situation in Iraq and Afghanistan:
15 minutes presentation
By Camilo Mejia, Iraq Veterans Against The War & Thomas Barton, Military Project & GI Special
A review of where the wars are, the political/economic context, what the new regime is doing or not doing, what has changed, what has not.
30 minutes Discussion period:
11 AM
Session 2: Report on the mood in the armed forces
20 minutes presentation
By Soldier A; Active Duty, U.S. Army; Jeff Englehart, Iraq Veterans Against The War; Alan Stolzer, The Military Project
The mood in the armed forces within the framework of events discussed in opening session.
30 minutes discussion period
Lunch Break: Noon- 1 PM
Regional Groups To Come Together
Lunch may be a good time for regions to meet in smaller groups, before a large planning meeting is held.
Strategy:
A New Approach For A New Situation
1 PM
Session 3:
30 minute presentation
By Jason Hurd, Savannah Iraq Veterans Against The War & Fabian Bouthillette, Los Angeles Iraq Veterans Against The War & Elaine Brower, The Military Project & Military Families Speak Out.
The importance of marching out to troops at several active duty bases on the same day, and how that is key to organizing resistance to the war.
IVAW members committed to outreach will lead, with civilian support.
This will gain media coverage for IVAW, since media has become uninterested in covering the same kind of anti-war actions in Washington again and again. Those no longer gain much attention, but this will be new and fresh.
The media attention will help shift public attention to the idea of direct outreach to active duty troops, and open that door for others to follow.
30 minutes discussion period
Organizing Action:
Learning From The Denver DNC Experience
2 PM
Session 4:
30 minutes presentation
By Garett Reppenhagen and Jeff Englehart, Colorado Iraq Veterans Against The War, on the immensely successful IVAW action at DNC in Denver, Colorado led by IVAW in uniform, then a huge banner that said “We Support GI Resistance,” and civilians marched behind that.
This as a case study for organizing future coordinated marches on bases. They will discuss how this was organized, the problems, and the successes.
IVAW members have stressed the importance of marching in uniform, and the immensely powerful impact this made at Denver.
30 minutes discussion period
Making It Happen:
Planning Coordinated Outreach To Active Duty Bases:
3 PM
Session 5:
30 minutes presentation
By Jason Hurd, Savannah Iraq Veterans Against The War; Jeff Englehart, Colorado Iraq Veterans Against The War; Fabian Bouthillette, Los Angeles Iraq Veterans Against The War.
Planning the coordinated outreach to active duty bases: How many bases are realistic to focus on, where, when, etc.? Press relations.
What structure to take up for getting the work done?
1) A national coordinating and lead structure be elected to form a point of contact, to be in touch and coordinate outreach actions in different parts of the country? Press relations.
2) Regional coordinating and point of contact structure by decided on by regions so they can plan their actions? Press relations.
We are using this meeting to actually plan future operations, and should always keep that in the back of our heads.
We need to develop a vision that will bind together our action on a national level, but allow organizers at a local level to be flexible and develop tactics that will work best in their environment.
30 minute discussion period
Regional Groups Meet Together Again
4 PM
Session 6:
Camilo Mejia, Iraq Veterans Against The War chairs, introduces the objective of this session:
Organizers for regions can then take the large vision and design a specific plan for their area.
60 minutes total
Report Backs And Wrap Up
5 PM
Session 7:
Camilo Mejia, Iraq Veterans Against The War chairs, introduces the objective of this session:
60 minutes total
No later than 6 PM:
Conference Ends
Party Time
Tactical Painting
From Soldier X, Iraq 4.25.05
THIS MEETING HAS BEEN ORGANIZED BY MEMBERS OF IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR AND THE MILITARY PROJECT, WORKING TOGETHER:
Labor Donated
Copies of this flyer from: thomasfbarton@earthlink.net
If you are an IVAW member, and interested in attending, contact the Savannah IVAW.
If you are not an IVAW member, and interested in attending, email a request for Conference registration to:
DO YOU HAVE A FRIEND OR RELATIVE IN THE MILITARY?
Forward GI Special along, or send us the address if you wish and we’ll send it regularly. Whether in Iraq or stuck on a base in the USA, this is extra important for your service friend, too often cut off from access to encouraging news of growing resistance to the wars, inside the armed services and at home. Send email requests to address up top or write to: The Military Project, Box 126, 2576 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10025-5657. Phone: 917.677.8057
“At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. Oh had I the ability, and could reach the nation’s ear, I would, pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke.
“For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder.
“We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.”
Frederick Douglass, 1852
“Hope for change doesn’t cut it when you’re still losing buddies.”
– J.D. Englehart, Iraq Veterans Against The War
Troops Invited:
Comments, arguments, articles, and letters from service men and women, and veterans, are especially welcome. Write to Box 126, 2576 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10025-5657 or send email to thomasfbarton@earthlink.net: Name, I.D., withheld unless you request publication. Same address to unsubscribe. Phone: 917.677.8057
Vietnam GI: Reprints Available
Vietnam: They Stopped An Imperial War
Not available from anybody else, anywhere
Edited by Vietnam Veteran Jeff Sharlet from 1968 until his death, this newspaper rocked the world, attracting attention even from Time Magazine, and extremely hostile attention from the chain of command. The pages and pages of letters in the paper from troops in Vietnam condemning the war are lost to history, but you can find them here.
The Military Project has copied complete sets of Vietnam GI. The originals were a bit rough, but every page is there. Over 100 pages, full 11×17 size.
Free on request to active duty members of the armed forces.
Cost for others: $15 if picked up in New York City. For mailing inside USA add $5 for bubble bag and postage. For outside USA, include extra for mailing 2.5 pounds to wherever you are.
Checks, money orders payable to: The Military Project
Orders to:
The Military Project
Box 126
2576 Broadway
New York, N.Y.
10025-5657
All proceeds are used for projects giving aid and comfort to members of the armed forces opposed to today’s Imperial wars.
“The single largest failure of the anti-war movement at this point is the lack of outreach to the troops.” Tim Goodrich, Iraq Veterans Against The War
OCCUPATION ISN’T LIBERATION
ALL TROOPS HOME NOW!
IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE RESISTANCE
END THE OCCUPATIONS
GI SPECIALS BY MAIL FREE FOR ACTIVE DUTY TROOPS
IF YOU WISH TO HAVE A SELECTION OF GI SPECIALS MAILED TO YOU, EMAIL YOUR ADDRESS TO: CONTACT@MILITARYPROJECT.ORG OR DROP A LINE TO: BOX 126, 2576 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10025-5657 USA. 917.677.8057
Please say how many you wish sent.
NOTE WELL: They will all be different issues of GI Special to satisfy DOD regs that you may possess copies, provided you don’t have more than one of the same issue.
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An Open Letter to Iraq Veterans Against the War Members and Supporters
From David Zeiger, Director of This is Where We Take Our Stand and Sir! No Sir!
Dear Friends,
As I write this, we are getting ready to post the fourth episode of This is Where We Take
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September 9th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.