SPC Victor Agosto needs support–Ft. Hood, East Gate, Wednesday, Aug. 5
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009| August 5, 2009 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 8:30 pm |
Afghanistan war resister needs support..please forward widely
Posted by: “Fran Hanlon”
Mon Aug 3, 2009 3:40 pm (PDT)
Hello All,
Victor Agosto, who has refused all orders related to deployment to
Afghanistan is preparing to be court-martialed on Wednesday morning.
Supporters plan to rally near the East gate of Fort Hood that evening at
7pm. Please consider joining us to show your support for Victor’s
courageous actions. Below is the press release which went out today. It
was written by an IVAW member at Fort Hood. Visit Under the Hood’s website
www.underthehoodcafe.org for a Killeen map. The rally site is at the
corner of Ft. Hood Rd. and W. Rancier Ave. You can call Under the
Hood (number on website) if you need further directions.
Also, CodePink is organizing weekly vigils every Saturday at the Bell County
jail until Victor is freed. More details on that to follow.
Peace,
Fran
SOLDIER OF CONSCIENCE TO BE COURT-MARTIALED
SPC VICTOR AGOSTO REFUSES DEPLOYMENT
AND FACES INCARCERATION FROM MILITARY
CONTACTS: James Branum 405-476-5620
866-933-2769
Cynthia Thomas 254-768-8300
SPC Victor Agosto, a Soldier stationed with 57th Expeditionary Signal
Battalion, 69th Air Defense Artillery, Rear Detachment, is scheduled for
court-martial on Aug.. 5 at Ft. Hood, TX. A victim of the highly unpopular
stop/loss policy, SPC Agosto, whose contract was over at the end of June,
was told that his next assignment would be deployment to Afghanistan. At
the end of April, with support of local residents, Agosto went public with
his intent to refuse the orders to Afghanistan, on the basis of the
occupation being “immoral and unjust.”
Instead of going ‘underground’ and trying to escape punishment from the
Army, Agosto chose to remain at Ft. Hood as a tangible symbol of GI
resistance. Refusing all orders that directly support the war, he has found
himself in an overwhelming struggle to maintain his honor and position. His
court-martial will culminate with the sentencing portion of the trial, at
which, it is believed that the Army will enforce the highest form of
sentencing it can impose.
SPC Agosto’s attempt to raise awareness and support has not fallen on deaf
ears, even in a military community; he has found supporters and friends who
are willing to help. As the unit serves overseas, he continues to voice his
dissent for an “unjust” war. There will be demonstrators present the day of
his arraignment, located off-post due to military regulations concerning
demonstrations on military posts.
SPC Agosto’s attorney, James Branum will be available for interviews and to
read a public statement by Victor.
Wednesday, August 5
7:00 to 8:30 pm Demonstration for awareness and outreach to Soldiers at
Ft. Hood, East gate
