Posts Tagged ‘Courage to Resist’

Killeen: Under the Hood Update, March 2011

Sunday, March 20th, 2011

March 2011
 
After months of waiting, Kyle Wesolowski is finally acknowledged as a conscientious objector!  We first met Kyle Wesolowski in January 2010.  After returning from Iraq, Kyle spent his leave in New Jersey with his family.   Realizing that he could no longer serve in combat, he returned to Fort Hood concerned and discouraged.  As fortune would have it, the day he returned to town, a vigil lead by Under the Hood was being held at Fort Hood’s East Gate.  The vigilers caught his attention and he stopped to learn more.  The rest is history.
 
It was several months after returning from that combat tour in Iraq, that SPC Kyle Wesolowski submitted an application for a conscientious objector discharge based on his Buddhist faith. Since that time,  Kyle has completed a rigorous examination of his beliefs by military authorities, including required interviews by a psychiatrist, a chaplain and an independent investigating officer. All of these officials recommended that Kyle be discharged based on the sincerity of his beliefs.
 

Today, we are pleased to announce that Kyle’s Conscientious Objector claim was approved by the U.S. Army. Wesolowski’s honorable discharge will likely occur in March or April 2011.
 
Kyle has received a great deal of encouragement from the community who helped to support him through this arduous process.  He explained that there are many people that he wants to thank, including his attorney, James Branum, the staff at Courage to Resist, Aaron Hughes and Iraq Veterans Against the War, Cindy Thomas of Under the Hood and many individual supporters and friends.  Kyle also points out that there are many within the army who showed him compassion during this long process and he wants to thank them as well.  “In the spirit of Under the Hood’s motto — pro soldier, anti war —  I know that there are many good people in the army and I appreciate those that supported me.”
 
Wesolowski’s attorney, James Branum, had this to say:
“I am so proud of Kyle. He stood strong in a long and difficult process. Many other applicants would have given up, but Kyle stood firm. Thankfully the Army has now recognized what I’ve known all along—Kyle is a sincere conscientious objector to war.”
 
Under the Hood has teamed up with IVAW in support of Operation Recovery.   Join Iraq Veterans Against the War and Under the Hood in our effort to stop the deployment of troops suffering from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Military Sexual Trauma.  By signing our pledge, you agree to do what you can to defend our right to heal and to hold accountable those responsible for the deployment of traumatized troops.  We need your help to build the Operation Recovery Campaign.  You can take the pledge at www.ivaw.org/operation-recovery.
Your continued support of Under the Hood allows us to continue our important work in Killeen. Whether you are making a one-time donation or want to sign up as a sustainer, it’s easy to contribute through PayPal.  
 The Fort Hood Support Network (FHSN) operates Under the Hood Café and Outreach Center.  FHSN is a Texas non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.  Donations may be treated as tax-deductible.  
 
Join us for a very special evening with   Coleen Rowley
Coleen is a former FBI Special Agent and Legal Counsel, whistleblower, and Time Person of the Year. 
 
“How Top Secret America Misfires” 
When:  Sunday, April 3, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
Where: 5604 Manor, Austin, Texas
$10 suggested donation at the door
 
All donations benefit Under the Hood  Café and Outreach Center.
 
Check out the  ResiStore!   Now you can purchase great items and support Under the Hood at the same time. Check it out here.
  
 Under the Hood Update is on Facebook.  Become a fan!  You can find archived issues and connect with other fans of Under the Hood.  Visit our Facebook page by clicking here.
 
Past issues of Under the Hood Update are now on the Under the Hood website!  If you’ve missed any of our past issues, or if you just want to re-read past articles, please click here. 
P.O. Box 16174 | Austin, TX 78761-6174 US
 

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Killeen: Under the Hood Update, November, 2010

Thursday, November 11th, 2010
 
November 2010
James Branum and Eric Jasinski
 
Under the Hood couldn’t make a difference for soldiers without people like James M. Branum, Attorney at Law.  And who better to tell you how important James’ work has been than the first soldier he ever defended at Under the Hood, Victor Agosto?  Victor explains, ”After I decided to refuse deployment, it became clear that I would need professional legal counsel to ensure the lightest punishment possible for myself.  But that wasn’t all I needed – it was very important to me to have an attorney who shared my commitment to the cause of peace, someone who truly understood that I wanted my case to be about more than just my personal struggle.”  Agosto goes on to say, “James has helped countless other soldiers wade through the murky waters of the military justice system, while asking for very little in return. I have met few people who can match his capacity for self-sacrifice. I am proud to call James M. Branum, attorney at law, my friend.”
 
The mother of a soldier who was recently helped by James had this to say: “He provided legal counsel and expert advice and was also empathetic to my son’s circumstances.   He helped us through a very difficult process.  I am so thankful for James; his understanding of military law and his moral integrity made all the difference in the world.” 
 
James provides legal services on a sliding scale.  While most lawyers in military law charge high rates, he believes that everyone should have a right to good legal counsel.  Although James receives some financial support from Courage to Resist, the Oklahoma Center for Conscience, peace churches, and other fundraising, his philosophy makes James the poorest, most hard-working attorney you are likely to ever meet.  He explains that while he was a student, he worked one summer for his father, a small-town attorney in Oklahoma.  During that summer, he met people who had been denied justice simply because of poverty.  Although seeking a religious degree, he realized that he had a calling to help people in a different way, and began to pursue a legal career. 
 
Because of limited resources available to help soldiers, James explains that there is often more work than he can do.  Legal help is usually a last resort for many soldiers, but James points out that the GI rights hotline is also a great resource for soldiers seeking advice and help. 
 
James is often found visiting Under the Hood with his dog and long-time friend, Sandy.  The next time you see him, you’ll also get to meet the newest member of his family, his new dog, Gypsy! 
 
Under the Hood appreciates James’ outstanding contributions to help soldiers in need. 
 
 
Hoodstock Flashback logo
Join us for
HOODSTOCK FLASHBACK!
a great evening of music, this Sunday, November 14, 2010 at Jovita’s, 1617 South 1st Street, Austin, Texas. 
For a mere $10 admission fee, you will hear from over a dozen local artists, including Barbara K, Karen Abrahams,Sugar Bayou, Will T. Massey, Richard Bowden and many more!  Doors open at 6 p.m. and the fun keeps going until 11 p.m.  Join us for a great evening of music, food, camaraderie, important information, and a silent auction.
   
Your continued support of Under the Hood will allow us to continue our important work in Killeen. Whether you are making a one-time donation or want to sign up as a sustainer, it’s easy to contribute through PayPal.  
 
The Fort Hood Support Network (FHSN) operates Under the Hood Café and Outreach Center.  FHSN is a Texas non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.  Donations may be treated as tax-deductible.   
 
UTH poster
Interested in sharing some of your time and talents with Under the Hood?   We are always happy for support in any form.  Along with monetary support to keep our doors open, we can always use other forms of assistance.  If you believe that you can provide support in some way, please feel free to contact us.  We’d be happy to put you to work!
 
 
 
Check out the  ResiStore!   Now you can purchase great items and support Under the Hood at the same time. Check it out here.
  
 Under the Hood Update is on Facebook.  Become a fan!  You can find archived issues and connect with other fans of Under the Hood.  Visit our Facebook page by clicking here.
 
Past issues of Under the Hood Update are now on the Under the Hood website!  If you’ve missed any of our past issues, or if you just want to re-read past articles, please click here. 
 
 
 
P.O. Box 16174 | Austin, TX 78761-6174 US
 

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Virginia: Supporters Rally for Bradley Manning, Accused Whistle-blower

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

from Courage to Resist, http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/content/view/849/1/

Bradley Manning Support Network, www.bradleymanning.org.

Washington D.C., July 27, 2010 – The Bradley Manning Support Network is accepting donations for the defense of Private First Class Bradley Manning. The Network, a grassroots initiative formed to defend and support accused whistleblower Pfc. Bradley Manning, has partnered with Courage to Resist, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military objectors.

Manning, a 22 year old intelligence analyst stationed in Iraq, stands accused of disclosing a classified video depicting American troops shooting civilians from an Apache helicopter in 2007. Eleven adults are killed in the video, including two Reuters employees, and two children critically injured. The video, available at www.collateralmurder.com, was published by WikiLeaks on April 5, 2010. No charges have been filed against the soldiers in the video.

Bradley Manning faces up to 52 years in prison if convicted of the charges against him.

While news sources have speculated about Manning’s involvement in a new leak of over 90,000 secret documents (collectively known as the Afghanistan “war logs”) made public by WikiLeaks on Sunday, no charges regarding this recent breach have been filed.

As of this writing, Manning has not yet chosen a civilian attorney to defend him in the expected trial. While several news sources had previously indicated that funding for Manning’s legal counsel was already arranged, the Bradley Manning Support Network states that there is an immediate need for donations to his legal defense.

Legal defense in this case will be particularly expensive because any legal team will most likely need a background in military law and the flexibility to travel overseas for the trial as well as secret security clearance. . . . .

Courage to Resist. July 14, 2010

“From what I’ve heard of (Pfc. Bradley) Manning, he is a new hero of mine.” —Daniel Ellsberg, Pentagon Papers whistle-blower

In April, the Wikileaks website released a video depicting a US helicopter attack in Baghdad that killed eleven unarmed Iraqi civilians, including two Reuters employees, and seriously wounded two children. Titled “Collateral Murder”, the video was widely posted and reported on.

Last week, the Army charged 22-year-old intelligence analyst Pfc. Bradley Manning with providing the video after he allegedly took credit for doing so online. For the past month, he has been held in isolation from supporters and civilian legal assistance in a US military confinement facility in Kuwait.

The Potomac, Maryland native was charged with two counts of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The first encompasses eight alleged criminal offenses, and a second covers four noncriminal violations of Army regulations governing the handling of classified information and computers. According to the Army, the “classified video of a military operation in Iraq was transmitted to a third party, in violation of a section of the Espionage Act, 18 USC 793(e),” which involves passing classified information to an uncleared party, but not a foreign government. He allegedly also provided Wikileaks with 50 classified diplomatic cables that are thought to contain embarrassing insights into the state of the US occupation of Iraq.

News articles initially reported that the Iceland-based Wikileaks website intended to provide Bradley Manning with a legal defense team. However, the Army has so far blocked all communications with the soldier. Meanwhile, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Eric Bloom has gone on record to deny that the isolation even exists.

It is possible that the Army prosecutors, in collaboration with an appointed military JAG “defense” lawyer, are using this time to pressure Bradley into accepting a plea bargain that will send him to prison for many years—but less than the threatened 52 years.

Courage to Resist, along with members of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and Veterans for Peace, is launching an effort to support Bradley Manning. We know other concerned organizations and individuals around the world who are also in the process of finding ways to support Bradley Manning, and we expect to collaborate when possible. These include advocates for whistle-blowers and supporters of the freedom of information.

Writing a letter to Bradley is one step in attempting to break his isolation. Mail to: Inmate Bradley Manning; TFCF (Theater Field Confinement Facility); APO AE 09366; USA . . . . .

for the full story, see http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/content/view/846/122/

see also http://www.ivaw.org/, “IVAW Supports Bradley Manning,” with a video

Rally for Pfc. Bradley Manning, August 8, Quantico, VA

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Sgt. Travis Bishop: Ft. Hood war resister to get out early | Alice Embree on the Rag Blog

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

[travis+bishop+peace+sign.jpg] War resister Sgt. Travis Bishop flashes peace sign to supporters as he is taken to the Bell County (Texas) Correctional Unit after being sentenced to one year in prison at court martial on August 14, 2009. Photo by Eric Thompson.

Afghanistan War refuser:
Ft. Hood’s Travis Bishop gets reduced sentence

By Alice Embree / The Rag Blog / February 10, 2010

Sgt. Travis Bishop has learned that the 12-month sentence he is serving at Fort Lewis will be reduced by three months. Sgt. Bishop was sentenced at Fort Hood near Killeen, Texas, in August 2009 for refusing orders to deploy to Afghanistan.

Sgt. Bishop, a Kentucky native and country singer, enlisted in 2004. He was deployed to Korea and then to Iraq. He had served five years of active duty when he refused orders based on religious reasons.

One of the people testifying against Bishop at his court martial was the chaplain he had hoped would listen to his concerns. Instead, Lt. Col. Ronald Leininger had reduced the amount of time scheduled for their original interview and then repeatedly took phone calls during the session. In his official statement, the chaplain said that people with Bishop’s religious heritage were “generally pro-military service with no pacifist tendencies in doctrine or practice.”

Lt. General Robert Cone, commanding general of Fort Hood approved the sentence reduction on February 4, after considering Sgt. Bishop’s clemency application. The clemency request included a legal brief alleging problems in the processing of Bishop’s conscientious objector claim, problems with the trial proceedings, and mistreatment at Fort Lewis where Sgt. Bishop has been detained.

In large part, the reduction in sentence is due to the dogged perseverance of GI rights attorney James Branum, and the public pressure that was brought to bear. Sgt. Bishop’s clemency request included 433 letters (signed by a total of 538 people from 21 different countries). Many came from pastors who disagreed with the military chaplain’s view on their churchs’ support for conscientious objection.

Through his attorney, Sgt. Bishop relayed his thanks to all his supporters. He said he had no regrets and urged others who are feeling moral conflicts with war to follow their conscience, but not to wait as long as he did to get help.

Attorney James Branum released the news of Sgt. Bishop’s early release and ackowledged many supporters, including the GI coffeehouses, Under the Hood in Killeen and Coffee Strong near Fort Lewis in Washington, Amnesty International’s London office and Courage to Resist. Sgt. Bishop’s release is expected to be no later than March 31, based on the amount of good behavior credit he has earned.

Supporters of Sgt. Bishop can find instructions on writing him at www.couragetoresist.org.

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