Texas Labor Against the War

Police in Oakland critically injure  Iraq war veteran during Occupy
Oakland crack-down

Iraq war vet Scott Olsen wounded by Oakland police (photo Hart Noecker)

Tell Oakland Mayor Jean Quan to investigate this incident and allow
peaceful protests to continue.

Click
here to send her an email message
• Call the Mayor’s office: (510) 238-3141

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page

Scott Olsen, a Marine veteran who did two tours in Iraq, was hit by a police
projectile during last night’s brutal police crackdown of Occupy Oakland.  He is
in serious but stable condition at an Oakland hospital.

It’s ironic that days after Obama’s announcement of the end of the Iraq War,
Scott faced a veritable war zone in the streets of Oakland last night.  He and
other protesters were surrounded by explosions and smoke (tear gas) going off
around him as people nearby carried him injured while yelling for a medic.

A disturbing video can be seen at http://ivaw.org/

The Bay Area Indy Media center also
posted dramatic photos of Scott being cared for and escorted to saftey right
after he was hit.
WARNING: these images are graphic and disturbing: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/25/18695124.php

More and more veterans are joining the 99% Movement

Scott is a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War who was discharged from
military service with the Marines in 2010 after two tours in Iraq.  He is one of
many veterans who have returned home and gotten involved in the Occupy protests
taking place in hundreds of cities around the nation.  Veterans like Scott
recognize that they are part of the 99% who face uncertain economic futures,
including few job prospects and rising tuition costs. Rates of homelessness and
unemployment are higher for veterans than for their civilian counterparts.

IVAW members around the country have been participating in their local Occupy
demonstrations, and are finding other veterans there as well.  “Our members are
flocking to these occupations,” says Joyce Wagner, IVAW Board President who has
been participating in Occupy Pittsburgh.  “The Occupy encampments are a great
place to meet other veterans, network, and get veterans services.  We’re
actually bringing a VA social worker to our camp and have several older
homeless veterans in our camp.”

Supporting Scott’s recovery

Scott remains in stable but critical condition at an Oakland hospital
awaiting a decision about whether he will undergo surgery. We have set up a
medical fund to support any up-coming health needs he has.
To contribute to this fund, click here.
Thank you for your support. We will keep you posted on Scott’s condition.

In Solidarity,

Iraq Veterans Against the War

Susan Van Haitsma writes: “A few of us Austin CodePinkers went to Killeen yesterday to participate in
their “Sick of War” demonstration at the gates of Ft. Hood. Others I spoke
with came from Ft. Worth, Denton, San Marcos and Austin. Despite the
weather, a number of news people showed up to document the event. Here is
an article published today in the Killeen Daily Herald:

http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?s=38454

Jan. 16, 2010

By Rebecca LaFlure
Killeen Daily Herald

Despite chilly wind and rain, anti-war protesters huddled outside Fort Hood’s East Gate for six hours Friday calling for increased mental health resources for soldiers and veterans.

The demonstrators, toting signs and the occasional umbrella, said the military overmedicates its service members and does not provide adequate counseling for those returning home from multiple deployments.

Standing in front of a black banner that read, “Sick of fighting your wars,” Cynthia Thomas, manger of Under the Hood Café in Killeen, said she worries the Afghan surge will increase mental health issues in the military.

“We’re sending soldiers to war and not taking care of them when they get back,” she said. “It’s going to be another batch coming back with that many more traumas, both physically and mentally.”

The protest began with a faithful dozen Friday morning and gradually increased to 30 people by the end of the afternoon.

Mike Prysner, 26, a former soldier who participated in the demonstration, traveled from Los Angeles to protest the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and advocate for soldier rights. Prysner said he had trouble obtaining mental health treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder upon his return from Iraq.

“It was a fight to get someone to see me,” he said. “When they finally did, they just wrote me a prescription and sent me on my way.”

Spc. Eric Jasinski, a Fort Hood soldier who also attended Friday’s event, turned himself in to Army officials last month after going absent without leave for a year.

The 23-year-old, who was diagnosed with PTSD and severe depression after he returned from Iraq, said he went AWOL at the end of 2008 after he was stop-lossed and ordered to return to Iraq. “I knew I couldn’t go back again,” he said. “We need to get a better understanding of PTSD. … I want the stigma to go away.”

The protesters hoped the demonstration would encourage more soldiers and their family members to speak out.

“We’ve gotten middle fingers and peace signs,” said Josh, a former Marine. “It’s been a good day.”

Contact Rebecca LaFlure at [email protected] or (254) 501-7548. Follow her on Twitter at KDHeducation