Just Say No to War

Army 1st Lieutenant Ehren Watada, as expected failed to deploy with his unit to Iraq. Although he is not the first soldier to invoke consciencious objector status and refuse orders to deploy, he is believed to be the first officer to do so. Watada remains on the base at Fort Lewis under orders not to speak publicly and awaiting a decision from his commanding officer on whether or not he should be charged and for what. In January Watada attempted to resign his commisson stating

"I am wholeheartedly opposed to the continued war in Iraq, the deception used to wage this war, and the lawlessness that has pervaded every aspect of our civilian leadership."

On June 7th during a press conference Watada expressed the belief that deploying to Iraq would make him a "party to war crimes".

It is my conclusion as an officer of the armed forces that the war in Iraq is not only morally wrong but a horrible breach of American law. Although I have tried to resign out of protest, I am forced to participate in a war that is manifestly illegal. As the order to take part in an illegal act is ultimately unlawful as well, I must as an officer of honor and integrity refuse that order....We all have a duty as American citizens for civil disobedience, and to do anything we can within the law to stop an illegal war

If would like information on counseling the troops and on conscientious objector status you can contact the Catholic Peace Fellowship. They even have a local chapter in NJ. You can contact
Stephen J Spiro, New Jersey Organizer
Box 4451 - Brainy Boro Station
Metuchen, NJ 08840-4451
Spiro_CatholicPeaceFellowship_NJ@Hotmail.Com

The New Jersey Chapter of the Catholic Peace Fellowship will also be at the following events this weekend if you want to drop by
June 24, Saturday.
St Joseph’s Parish Fair.
School grounds, Manning Ave & Westervelt Ave,
North Plainfield, NJ.
10am to 8pm

June 25, Sunday.
Fanwood Street Fair.
Downtown Fanwood, NJ
11am to 5pm