Notes from
Emergency Antiwar/Anti-Draft Conference
New School University, NYC
Dec. 4, 2004
Please visit:
www.peace-not-war.org music CD available
Odette – IACenter (IAC) - moderator
Eddie Boyd – with Workers World Party – he’s a military vet – says one-third of homeless people are veterans. He spent 7-1/2 years in the military and was told the military would no longer be liable for his health.
Julie ?? and Peter Gilbert from F.I.S.T. (Fighting Imperialsm, Standing Together) – Peter said only the youth can end the war. The U.S. military is already stretched to its limits. Without an obedient army, no war can survive. There are sharp drops in re-enlistment.
I brought up that there were many things the non-youth could do to help stop the war, including economic and tax resistance (boycotts, etc.), read and distribute books on the subject and related subjects, environmental education and how environmental considerations are related to this war and to oil, relate Iraq and military deaths to abortion and challenge Christians to be against all deaths if they’re going to be against death. I wanted to bring up that Charles Rangel had helped write the draft legislation in congress, and what did they think about that.
Dustin Langley – with www.iacenter.org ( International Action Center) – is a U.S. navy vet and the founder of NoDraftNoWay.org. Also involved with SNAFU (Support Network for an Armed Forces Union). He says there IS going to be a draft, no matter what Bush says. By getting back in the streets we’re going to stop the war. Only the people can stop the war and the draft. People join the military because they have no money for anything else.
We need to begin by addressing the ECONOMIC DRAFT [economic bracket and also loss of U.S. jobs] and the ROTC – the youth military recruiting machine. We have to form solidarity and speak out to the communities most victimized by the military.
There are 23 combat brigades – 18 are deployed now – 66% of the army’s fighting force. There should be two soldiers at home for every one in the field – now it’s the opposite. Military heads have told congress they’re all at the breaking point. Two SNAFU organizers are currently in the active military – they’re enabling troops to get the information they need from independent news sources. 49% of the troops in Iraq say they won’t re-enlist, according to a “Stars & Stripes” poll – that is anything but a liberal slanted poll! 60% of troops in Iraq now are National Guard – there are no more troops to send. Desperation: Individual Ready Reserves – former troops no longer ready or fit for combat – are being called up for service. Half of those called already have not shown up. The government has no option but the draft.
Go to www.sss.gov and look at the performance plan for fiscal year 2004. [I visited the website and, although I don’t claim to completely understand all this, I made note of certain language – see attached text at the end of these notes.]
He got access to the Dept. of Education computer files – the draft will be enacted, and here are the first three ways it will be manipulated into effect:
First: Medical skills draft: 52 medical specialties – women ande men to age 44
Second: Special skills draft: Arab linguists and computer skills
Third: Widespread conscription – once congress gives the authorization, as soon as 75 days later there can be a lottery – may include women – beginning at age 21.
Options:
1. Refuse to register (no prosecutions since 1986). Ways of enforcing registration to include: you have to register to obtain a drivers license, education grants, federal jobs (i.e., post office jobs, etc.)
2. Conscientious objection. If you know people of draft age, tell them to start building a file now – build a paper trail – build a file that makes you unavailable – write a statement of yourself as undesirable, get statements from others, including clergy, IAC, etc. and photos of yourself at peace rallies. The draft board will still make that call yes or no. They’re desperate for troops.
Will there be a draft and who will decide – the government responds to pressure – WE must decide – we can stop the war.
March 20, 2005: Retake Central Park – for the people! Part of a worldwide resistance against global empire.
“I Refuse” Campaign: Get the word out to the people – gather signatures of draft-age people. Petitions are available.
V.A. trying to close the 23 rd Street Veterans hospital – the only V.A. hospital in NYC – they wave the flag to bring you to war; then they turn their backs on you.
We need to stop the government system that NEEDS war and exploitation around the world.
“Be all that you can be” - militarization of high schools.
Book – “Hoodwinked” by John Prados – factual evidence comparing what the Bush administration knew against what they said and did – they are war criminals. WHERE IS THE MEDIA??
WE need to police the media on a daily basis – write them when they do report on something and prod them to report on others. Let them know we’re watching. Same with ‘elected’ officials – we must be vocal within the system.
Book – “War, Lies & Videotape” – about media’s role in war.
Nicole Shore of Democracy for New Yorktold me that on the Democracy for America (Howard Dean) website there’s a weekly reading list – book of the month club sort of thing – good recommendations.
Gloria Pacis - Liked my “schoolyard bully” analogy of the Bush admin. Her son, Stephen Funk, was a draft resister after serving his term in Iraq – he became a conscientious objector of war. He’s also gay. The local media covered him. He served 5 months in prison for objecting. Gloria said, “He’s a shy guy with no money. He would say to you ‘Just say no’ – it’s so easy.” He received a dishonorable discharge – he’s says it’s okay – at least it’s a discharge! Fears are human, but to do nothing because it’s always been done this way – NO – it’s death, literally. She said, “One shy young man took on the Pentagon.”
She’s a commercial artist and does her own artwork – fine art – foraging a new vision – trying to build a better world – analogy between art and building a better world – being PRO-PEACE (rather than antiwar).
Dustin: We need to let those resisting the draft/lures of recruiters and those currently suffering in Iraq know “we’ve got your back.”
Brandon Hughey (appeared by video because he’s in exile in Canada) - A recruiter called and asked him if he had a way to go to college – the military would pay for college and a $5,000 signing bonus.
Walter Williams – The right to resist illegal orders – In the NY Times on 12/4/04 – The Church Report – investigating Abu Ghraib
Tom Barton – “GI Special” newsletter – panel on military/GI resistance
Kofi Annan has stated that the U.S. violated the UN Charter. U.S. Army Field Manual 27-10: “General principles of the unwritten law.” International laws are designed to serve humanitarian interests, not states’ interests. GIs are held accountable for every act they commit, not their superiors, and soldiers are supposed to follow orders. Catch 22.
We need to support the troops in this “Elsberg” approach – Elsberg released the Pentagon papers that led to the end of the Vietnam war. We have to expose the illegal activities soldiers are forced to undertake in this war.
See www.peoplejudgebush.org.
Jim Talib – (charming, articulate young guy – reminded me of Springsteen) – He’s a Gulf War Vet – was in Iraq - Fallujah with the Marines. Said he was a “reservist suckered in for the college money and got the $5,000.” 43% of the total force will be Marines and National Guard. He provided medical support to the Marines. It’s clear to him what this war was about – oil and domination – no wmds, no relation to 9/11. Promotes Veterans for Peace and Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW). This war is destroying Iraq, killing its people and victimizing our soldiers.
Solidarity with the resistancve inside the military – there’s a high price for resistance – they need legal, financial and logistical support, and media exposure. Also need civilians to take actions of resistance on our own. Citizen inaction is what allows the government to continue. Jim expected to see a lot more action upon coming back to the U.S. It’s not enough to complain about the war – we need a stronger, more vocal resistance and movement. He spent 7 months being shat on and shot at. We have to be willing to take risks!!
Of key importance: We need to build a broad movement – antiwar – we have to get realistic about who working class Americans are, their identity and patriotism, and find ways to engage it and work with it. We can’t have an elitist attitude here – understand that few join the military with the intent to kill and oppress others.
Monique Code (sp?) – U.S. Navy Vet – was in the first Gulf War – injured Vet and homeless Vet. (She was well-dressed and didn’t look like a homeless person, but she noted that she lives with a family member and doesn’t own or rent a place of her own.) She’s a freelance writer for a small California newspaper. Read her article “A Black Veteran Speaks Out” at sfbayview.com (left side) – her articles, also “What This War Means to a Black Vet” (Bev Smith – “American _______ Radio Network”).
Things the V.A. doesn’t tell you – Every soldier suffers a mental injury – because they become “independent dependents” – those in the military become dependent on a system that doesn’t care about them. The readjustment of coming home is a challenge. When you come home to a country that says it’s going to take care of you and then it doesn’t, that’s the biggest blow to everyone. You can’t talk about something you don’t know about. The military is NOT the education of life. The GI Bill is only a stipend.
The military industrial complex provides like the prison industrial complex. And being dependent on one tends toward being dependent on the other. More Black women will end up in jail. Now her 14-year-old brother is getting calls from recruiters. “Why should we fight a war that we have nothing to do with?” (35 th anniversary of the death of Fred Hampton)
Vets are not heroes, but victims of economic exploitation, of gentrification. Vets need help to be effective citizens, not just ‘productive’ citizens – you’ve got to tell what happened to you – the mental injury you suffered, the sheltered lifestyle, that this is no joke – tell the truth, keep resisting.
Gerry Condon (on video as he is in exile in Canada) – In his 50s, former U.S. Special Forces. Spoke about support for the GI resistance in Canada – there’s a lot of support in Canada – many Vietnam Vets/war resisters are there. You can apply for refugee status under Canadian law (can take months or years). Members of Parliament support sanctuary – also housing support. There’s growing support in Canada. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
GI Rights Hotline: 800-394-9544
You have the right to resist an illegal war – you have a responsibility to refuse to fight in an internationally criminal war.
Go to his website at SoldiersSayNo.org or SNAFU at join-snafu.org.
Jeremy Hensman this week in Canada applying for refugee status – criminal war, violation of criminal law – go to www.resisters.ca.
Kim ________ - Her son Josh, 18, is in Iraq. Recruiters are going into the housing projects. IAC committee to support war resisters and ‘deserters’ – overwhelming resistence among GIs and youth – Sign on to this committee and make a commitment! “Sign-up sheet on the SNAFU table.”
Her ex-husband was a Marine, so she knows about the desperate people and the brainwashing. Abdul Webster, a Black Muslim, 38, is in jail for 14 months for being a military resister. We need to support him. We need to build a massive antiwar movement on the street – they need to know we support them. There will be many more of them – let them know we have their backs (per Dustin). We need more prominent attorneys like Ramsey Clark.
“’Desertion’ – the right thing to do!”
Odette’s grandfather came back from the military and he was lynched. Her cousin Algernon Adams died in Iraq and left four children.
Some students talked about their experiences with recruiters. One guy smoked massive weed to fail his physical. One guy went to a crappy high school in Corona ( Queens, NYC) – recruiters wouldn’t leave him alone. There are no recruiters at NYU or Catholic schools – only in the hood. Offering money. He said he didn’t need their money.
Here were three young Black guys saying “No” to the offers/ enticements of the recruiters. They see the truth. If they can resist, we can resist!
Student at SUNY Stonybrook (State Univ. of NY) – Recruiters are marketing to ‘Campus Combat Tour’ – majority of them at minority universities – 70% minorities at Stonybrook. They even managed to get a rap group to support their recruiting effort! Also going on at Temple Univ., DePaul, etc. They got information from people under false pretenses. Protested at the school.
Jim – It’s fine to go to rallies, but then you need to come home and organize locally and bring your family in. DirectAction.org has good examples things happening over the last couple of years – the info. is out there – globalization resistance.
Monique – Women got pregnant to get out of the military after bootcamp, but the military stopped them by making them stay in anyway. Women tried to EAT themselves out of the military!
In Levittown, NY, there was recruiting for the nuclear program.Women couldn’t be in it because of the radiation.
Thomas Barton – GI Special – Told about his friend Jeff Charlotte (of NY), who lived and died opposing the war. He was sent to Vietnamese language school; then spent four years talking to Vietnamese – found out they were fighting for their freedom. The armed forces are the weak link in the chain of empire. Jeff got cancer at 26 from agent orange in Vietnam. He originally enlisted because he thought he was defending democracy. “I support the troops who resist.”
There was a conference in Toronto, Canada that same day, 12/4/04 – You don’t have to go – you can go to Canada. You will be supported – good education, etc. See:
- United Church of Canada
- Canadian Labor Council
There are thousands of Vietnam era war resisters there to help you. You have the RIGHT to resist an unjust war. Don’t go. Welcome to Canada. See www.SoldiersSayNo.org.
Jim – Go to SERUV.org (www.seruv.org/english/default.asp) – Israeli Vets refusing to serve in the military – a model for IVAW.
From www.sss.gov (apparently last updated June 2003):
“ FY 2004 Annual Performance Goals:
Prepare, conduct, and evaluate an Area Office Prototype Exercise to ensure the activation process is viable from deployment of the SSS Lottery to the issuance of the first Armed Forces Examination Orders.
Ensure 90% of the personnel tested are capable of implementing activation procedures.
Ensure that 95% of the predefined readiness objectives are attained and validated during the Area Office Prototype Exercise.”
Also:
“Strategic Objective 2.1: Improve registration compliance rates.
How success will be measured:
Compare registration compliance rates with prior historical performances.
Evaluate results of special registration improvement program activities.
Compare monthly Registration Statistics Reporting System (REGSTATS) with corresponding previous years’ monthly REGSTATS Reports reflecting actual registrations.
Evaluate registration programs and public awareness initiatives by conducting research and focus group sessions with young men and their influencers.
Strategic Performance Goal:
Attain registration rates of 90% or higher for 18- through 25-year-old men.”
And:
“ FY 2004 Annual Performance Goal:
Attain a 93% or greater compliance rate for men 18 through 25 year-
old men.
Baseline:
CY 1998 registration compliance rate of 89% for 18- through 25-year-
old men.
Strategies:
Support states in their efforts to pass legislation requiring young men to register with Selective Service as a precondition to obtaining a state motor vehicle driver’s permit/license, or state identification card.
Implement special mailings to large population, low compliance states and areas.
Each Spring, publicize a “Registration Compliance Report Card” for all the States and Territories. This will be accomplished by a national press release.
Seek no- or low-cost methods of improving registration compliance to include cooperative data sharing programs with other Federal and state agencies, as well as additional outreach, public awareness and registration initiatives.
Monitor actual registrations via monthly REGSTATS Reports.
Monitor Internet and Telephonic Registrations.
Monitor the Early Submission of Registration Information Program, which can greatly enhance the compliance rate for the current Year of Birth Group.
Monitor Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Form I-485 and Form OF-230 electronic data transmissions to Selective Service which result in the automatic registrations of male immigrants.
Implement national Registration Improvement Program initiatives.
Obtain high school drop-out and voter registration lists.
Conduct media interviews to publicize registration awareness.
Publicize use of the Agency’s Internet Home Page to complete on-line registration, verify an existing registration or obtain other information.
Make adjustments to Registration Improvement Program activities. Monitor the acquisition lists of potential nonregistrants for the registration compliance program.
Negotiate new initiatives with other state and federal agencies to facilitate registration, tape matching, electronic data exchange, and other on-line efforts.
Identify new or updated methods and procedures for enhancing the operation and effectiveness of Agency tape matching programs for both registration and compliance.
Develop new approaches to identify nonregistrants and strategies for the effective implementation of registration compliance
Work with the Office of Information Management on the improvement of Information Technology supporting registration, compliance, and statistical programs.
Maintain effective and on-going tape/electronic match programs with the Department of Education, the DoD, the Department of Labor, the Office of Personnel Management, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the U.S. Postal Service, and each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles/Public Services.
Maintain effective and on-going Registrar programs to include high schools (see Strategic Objective 2.2), Workforce Investment Act, Farm Workers Opportunity Program, and other programs which reach potential registrants.
Strategic Objective 2.2: Improve the participation rate in the SSS’ High School (HS) Registrar Program which is composed of individuals who have agreed to act as uncompensated Registrars in high schools nationally.
How success will be measured:
Comparing the number of high schools participating via comparison with prior year records.
Strategic Performance Goal:
Improve the participation rate in the SSS’ HS Registrar Program.
FY 2004 Annual Performance Goal
Attain and appoint Registrars in 85% of the Nation’s high schools.
Baseline:
FY- 98: 65% of the Nation’s high schools had Registrars.
Strategies:
Implement new registration public awareness initiatives in urban areas.
Track responses to solicitation letters sent to high schools.
Enhance materials used to conduct the program.
Monitor participation of high schools in the program.
Conduct visits and follow-up on contacts to high schools to explain benefits of the program and the ease and responsiveness of SSS Internet registration. Evaluate feedback from personal contact with high school administrators and Registrars.
Encourage Agency force multipliers (i.e., uncompensated Board Members and State Resource Volunteers) as well as paid staff to “ Adopt-a-High School ” to solicit Registrars.
Implement National Registration Improvement Program and high school Registrar initiatives as outlined in Agency Directives.
Track responses to solicitation letters to high schools.
Enhance, in conjunction with Public and Congressional Affairs, materials used to conduct the program.
Monitor participation of high schools in the program.
Strategic Objective 2.3: Seek alternative registration methods.
How success will be measured:
Compare th*e number of registrations received through automated versus manual processes.
Measure the days to add registrations through various processing methods (sources).”
There is also a section that begins:
“ Strategic Goal 4: Enhance the system which guarantees that each conscientious objector is properly classified, placed, and monitored.(Projected allocation for FY 2004 – $955,000)”