madmal's blog

On Saturday, November 15, at 8:00 am, at the National Archives Building on Connecticut Ave., eight military veterans and a military mother climbed a 9-foot retaining fence and occupied a ninety-foot high scaffolding to raise two 450 square foot banners stating, "DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION. ARREST BUSH AND CHENEY: WAR CRIMINALS!" and "WE WILL NOT BE SILENT."

The same message will also be displayed at demonstrations in the Los Angeles area on Saturday. Members of Veterans for Peace (VFP) chose the Archives for their nonviolent protest because it is symbolic of their military oath to "defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

In September they occupied the Archives for 24 hours, and plan to stay longer this time. "The offenses of Bush, Cheney, and their accomplices are appalling," said Kim Carlyle, a VFP member and Army veteran. "Their misdeeds have killed or maimed more than a million people - American soldiers, innocent civilian children, women, and men. They have displaced almost five million people, with millions seeking refuge in other countries. Their total disregard for international agreements has severely tarnished the reputation of America in the world. Their unlawful wars have squandered billions of dollars that could have bolstered a troubled economy."

The veterans are demanding Bush administration be tried for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace; asking the media to clearly inform the public of the administration's crimes; and encouraging citizens to take similar nonviolent actions. According to Tarak Kauff, a VFP member, "People say Bush and Cheney will be gone soon so what's the point? The point is, there is no statute of limitations on war crimes, and if not held accountable, criminality will continue regardless of who is in office. We either are or we are not a nation of law."

THOSE STAGING THE OCCUPATION ARE: Elliott Adams VFP: 61, Sharon Springs, NY, VFP President and former Army paratrooper, Viet Nam

Ellen Barfield VFP: 52, Baltimore, MD, former Army Sgt.

Kim Carlyle VFP: 61, Buncombe County, NC, former Army Spec 5

Doug Zachary VFP: 58, Austin, TX, VFP staff, former USMC Lance Cpl.

Tarak Kauff VFP: 67, Woodstock, NY, former PFC, Army Airborne

Will Covert VFP: 63, San Diego, CA, VFP lifetime member, former E4 Navy

Elaine Brower MFSO: 54, Staten Island, NY, Military Families Speak Out, National Steering Committee, mother of USMC Sgt. James Brower on third tour in Iraq

Matthis Chiroux IVAW: 24, Army Sergeant, served in Afghanistan, refused deployment to Iraq

PROVIDING GROUND SUPPORT: Mike Ferner VFP: 57, Toledo, OH, former Navy corpsman Debbie Tolson VFP: 52, Potomac, MD, associate member of VFP

Michelle White MFSO: 24, Clarksville, TN, Military Families Speak Out, wife of Iraq war vet currently serving in Afghanistan

Michael Marceau VFP: 59, Rockville, MD, VP VFP Chapter 16, former Army, Viet Nam

Bruce Berry VFP: 62, Minneapolis, MN, former SPC 4 Army, Viet Nam Fred Nagel VFP: 65, Rhinebeck, NY, former SPC 4 Army

Jay Wenk VFP: 82, Woodstock, NY, former rifleman, 90th Infantry Div., WWII

Tony Teolis VFP: 703-402-1763

Military Families Speak Out is an organization of people opposed to the war in Iraq who have relatives or loved ones currently in the military or in the military since the fall of 2002. Formed by two families in November of 2002, MFSO membership now numbers over 3,400 military families, plus contacts throughout the U.S. and other countries.

homepage: homepage: http://www.vfpchapter72.org

UPDATE:  As of 4pm 11/16/08 the Archives crew are being placed under arrest.  Please take a moment to offer up good thougths and/or prayers for these valiant defenders of the Constitution; that they will be brought down with thought and care for their safety and treated well. 

Below are some UTube links to video showing the banner drops:

http://tinyurl.com/57hqlv 1 of 5 first banner drop

http://tinyurl.com/6jfdwm 2 of 5 surprised security

http://tinyurl.com/5stl7h 3 of 5 song

http://tinyurl.com/67gkxq 4 of 5 second banner drop "People got the Power"

http://tinyurl.com/5e4o5n 5 of 5 MLK Riverside NYC 4/4/1967

FINAL UPDATE:  At 4pm the DHS Police climbed the scaffolding and removed the banners, leaving the Veterans to go their own way!  At this writing all are down safely and enjoying hot meals and showers. 

More details later.....

VETERANS FOR PEACE
 
Sunday, November 11, 2007
GRANT REMINGTON

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, it became "all quiet on the western front." An armistice brought a cease-fire to the "war to end all wars." Since that fateful hour, most nations that fought in the conflict observe Armistice Day.

The United States in 1938 made it official with a proclamation that states in part: "It is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples." (Italics added.)

Unfortunately, the horrors of World War I were to be outdone by those of World War II, and to honor the sacrifices of those who fought in it and Korea, Armistice Day was changed in 1954 to Veterans Day.

While it is fitting and proper to honor all veterans for their service, it is a shame that the original intent of Nov. 11 has become lost to militarization and commercialization.

With flags flying and bands playing, veterans from all eras march in parades. Dignitaries give speeches glorifying the heroism of those who ended up in combat. Fighter jets streak above the gathered crowds, cannons roar, taps is played and shopping malls offer special sales on merchandise more than likely made in Third World countries. So one day a year we remember those men and women who put on the uniform and took the oath.

The rest of the year it is business as usual. We pass by the homeless vet with the cardboard sign. We allow our elected representatives to gut the Veterans Administration. We aren't permitted to see the coffins arriving at Dover Air Force Base, and the wounded are flown in at night to keep us in the dark.

I am troubled by the fact that more disabled veterans are being produced in a war based on lies and deception, directed by a commander-in-chief who believes he is above the law, while the VA budget fails to keep pace with the increase in demand. This all plays out in the background, ignored by most of the media and the average American. But not ignored by this veteran. And not by my fellow members of Veterans for Peace Chapter 72.

We will honor our brothers and sisters in arms in a different way, by working to increase public awareness of the costs of war. We will work to restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations. We will work to end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons. We will work to seek justice for veterans and victims of war, and to abolish war as an instrument of national policy. This is our mission.

So on this Nov. 11 we will not be marching in parades. We will not be worshipping at the altar of the god of war. For war is a false god worshipped by warmongers and poll watchers; a false god worshipped by those in the media who wish to be bathed in its reflected glow; a false god worshipped by those who have never seen, heard, smelled or touched the obscenity of the violence they glorify.

Instead we will gather to renew the spirit of Armistice Day and commemorate it, "with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations."

We will gather to reflect on our mission and to move it forward with purpose and commitment. We will gather to renew our bonds of service and the bonds forged by a realization that war is obsolete -- and that peace is the only path to a "more perfect union" with "liberty and justice for all."

Grant Remington, of Northeast Portland, served with the Army from 1967-70, including two years in Vietnam. He is president emeritus, Veterans for Peace Chapter 72.

Court bars second court-martial for Watada, for now

By Hal Bernton

Seattle Times staff reporter

A U.S. District Court judge today granted a preliminary injunction that bars the Army from proceeding with a second court-martial trial of 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, the first Army officer to face prison for refusing to deploy to Iraq.

Watada's court-martial in February ended in a mistrial, and his attorneys have claimed that Fifth Amendment constitutional protections prevent Watada from being tried twice for the same crime. At issue is whether this protection, known as double jeopardy, applies when a trial is under way, and then is halted by a judge over the objections of a defendant. Watada had asked to complete his first court-martial trial.

In his written decision, Judge Benjamin Settle of Tacoma found that the Army judge "likely abused his discretion" in the court-martial, and that Watada's District Court case about violations of Fifth Amendment protections was likely to succeed on merit. He ordered the U.S. Army not to proceed with a Fort Lewis court-martial that could result in up to six years in prison for failing to deploy and conduct unbecoming an officer.

"The same Fifth Amendment protections are in place for military service members as are afforded to civilians. There is a strong public interest in maintaining these rights inviolate," Settle wrote "... To hold otherwise would ignore the many sacrifices that American soldiers have made throughout history to protect these sacred rights."

Watada last year publicly denounced the Bush Administration for waging an illegal war in violation of both U.S. and international law. And, in June of 2006, he refused to join the 3rd (Stryker) Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis as the soldiers deployed to Iraq. Watada still serves at Fort Lewis.

The Army Office of the Staff Judge Advocate — in a statement released late today — said it plans to file additional briefs on the double jeopardy issues.

"We look forward to the opportunity {$326} to further explain to the District Court judge the full extent of the protections and safeguards that are afforded to a military accused," the statement said. "We believe that this additional information will be helpful as the judge prepares to issues his final ruling in the case.

Watada's attorneys hope that Settle eventually will opt to issue a permanent injunction, which would prevent any retrial of Watada unless the Army was able to overturn the decision on appeal.

"This is an enormous victory, but it is not yet over," said Kenneth Kagan, a counsel for Watada.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004003059_webwatada.h...

November 7, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Grant E. Remington
President Emeritus
Veterans For Peace 72
503-282-5015   grant@dunckleystreet.com

Veterans For Peace chapter 72 to remember Armistice Day

Where: PSU Park Blocks Stage 
When: November 11, 2007 11:11 AM
 
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, it became “All quiet on the western front.” An armistice signed at six o’clock that morning took effect and brought a cease-fire to the “War to end all wars.” Since that fateful hour, most nations, which fought in that conflict, observe Armistice Day. The United States in 1938 made it official with a proclamation that states in part: “…it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and…inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.”

Unfortunately the horrors of World War One were to be outdone by those of World War Two and to honor the sacrifices of the veterans who fought in it, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day in 1954. While it is fitting and proper to honor all veterans for their service, it is a shame that the original intent of November eleventh has become lost to the militarization and commercialization of this important date.

Veterans For Peace chapter 72 will be gathering at the PSU Park Blocks Stage for our fourth annual commemoration of this solemn day. We invite the public to join us “with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations;…”.  

Watada court-martial stopped

Last updated October 5, 2007 5:52 p.m. PT

By MIKE BARBER
P-I REPORTER

A federal judge in Tacoma has delayed the court-martial of 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, a Fort Lewis Army officer to refuse to deploy to Iraq.

In a rare intervention of a civilian court in the military justice system, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin H. Settle granted the emergency stay shortly before close of business Friday.

Watada's trial, slated to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, is now postponed until at least Oct. 26, the judge ruled.  read more »

So, it is suggested that the Fort Lewis support rally on October 9 be cancelled.

Federal judge halts Lt. Watada court martial

By Mike Barber, Seattle Post-Intelligencer. October 5, 2007

A federal judge in Tacoma has delayed the court-martial of 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, a Fort Lewis Army officer to refuse to deploy to Iraq.

In a rare intervention of a civilian court in the military justice system, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin H. Settle granted the emergency stay (PDF) shortly before close of business Friday. Watada's trial, slated to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, is now postponed until at least Oct. 26, the judge ruled.

In granting the stay at 4:48 p.m., Settle determined that he has jurisdiction under federal law to grant the stay and that Watada's claim that a second-trial amounts to double jeopardy is not frivolous and "has merit" for consideration.

Also: Editorial Board of the Seattle Post Intelligencer has called for Ehren's release from the Army today "without further ado," and Amnesty International declares conviction would be a violation of rights.

"The irreparable harm suffered by being put to a trial a second time in violation of the double jeopardy clause of the Fifth Amendment stems not just from being subjected to double punishment but also from undergoing a second trial proceeding," Settle wrote in quoting case law.

Watada's lawyers, Jim Lobsenz and Ken Kagan of the Seattle firm Carney Badley Spellman, have argued that the circumstances of a mistrial declared in Watada's court-martial in February result in double jeopardy -- being tried twice for the same charge.

The mistrial was declared over Watada's objections and after a panel of military officers acting as a jury had heard evidence but not begun deliberations.

Read complete article, action alerts and background info
Also: www.thankyoult.org  read more »