May 9, 2007
Dear Friend of Iraq Veterans Against the War,
As a regular speaker on behalf of IVAW, I am often asked, “What can I do to help stop the war?” At first, this was a difficult question for me to answer, as I was still struggling to find my voice as a veteran. But there are a multitude of things any compassionate American can do to help stop the war in Iraq. I always tell people, first and foremost: show up. You can’t stop a war from your couch. Second, spread the word. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind. Third, reach out to the troops that you know, let them know that you support them and will continue to do so even if they decide to resist the illegal and immoral occupation for which they are being asked to fight.
For those of you who are tired of the traditional means of activism, here is something else you can do to help. The DC Chapter of IVAW has been very active in getting our message out to the powerbrokers in DC. We regularly meet with Congressmen and Senators, and attend hearings on Capitol Hill to make our presence known. We are also actively involved in supporting other anti-war groups that represent a broader demographic than just the veterans, such as Military Families Speak Out, Code Pink (Women for Peace), Voters For Peace, ANSWER (Act Now, Stop War, End Racism), and UFPJ (United For Peace and Justice). When we attend events hosted by these groups, they appreciate the credibility we lend them as veterans of the war in Iraq.
We also conduct our own actions, such as Operation First Casualty on March 19th. This was a mock combat patrol through Washington, DC to bring the truth of the war home to the American people, because it has long been said that the first casualty of war is the truth. This was organized and hosted by members of DC IVAW with great financial and logistical assistance from the national office, and members from around the country. You can read more about this here.
There is much more that we could do, and in this effort, we ask for your help. What IVAW needs most urgently is a base of operations in DC from which to plan actions and host visiting veterans from around the country. This would allow veterans who would otherwise not be able, to come to DC, meet with Congressmen, attend hearings, participate in demonstrations, and lend their voices to the anti-war movement.
Please become a sponsor of the IVAW DC House by making a monthly pledge until the war is over. Our modest goal is to raise $5000 per month to cover rent and operating costs. We appreciate one time donations as well, but anyone who is able to contribute $100 or more a month will become an honorary member of our chapter and be invited to join us for a weekly sponsor’s dinner hosted at the IVAW DC House. Please make your donations by mailing a check made out to IVAW with “IVAW DC House” in the memo to PO Box 8296, Philadelphia, PA 19101 or by going here, clicking on “Donate Now” and including “IVAW DC House” in the Special Project Support window. If you choose to send a check, please be sure to include your email address if you would like to be added to the IVAW DC Supporter’s email list to receive regular updates of our activities. Please feel free to email me with any questions or comments.
Thank you for your support,
adam@ivaw.org
3 comments:
I sent the following e-mail to US Rep. Keith Ellison (Dem. Minn.) on May 31, 2007: "Hon. Rep Ellison: An extremely upsetting story was published today by the Associated Press regarding a marine, Cpl. Adam Kokesh, who served in Iraq and was given an honorable discharge. He recently appeared at an anti-war protest in Washington DC with an organization called "Iraq Veterans Against The War." He wore his marine clothing with all military insignia removed. Shortly after the protest he received a notice from the Marines that he was under investigation to determine whether the Marine Corps would change his discharge from Honorable to Dishonorable. A more complete account is stated in the following three web sites:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/
MILITARY_PROTEST_HEARING?SITE=NMALJ&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE= DEFAULT
http://www.ivaw.org/node/639
http://kokesh.blogspot.com/2007/05/
legal-defense-fund-for-adam-kokesh.html
Please note that I, a non-veteran, or anyone else, can purchase US Marine clothing at a number of on-line outlets by Googleing "Marine Surplus" or "Military Surplus," including at one called "www.patriotsurplus.com" It would be perfectly legal for me to wear that clothing anywhere, including at an anti-war rally -- which I would never do, because I have never earned the right to even suggest that I have served in the US military. In my opinion, Cpl. Kokesh has earned that right, and as an American citizen , had the right to protest the war in the manner he did. The Marine Corps has scheduled a hearing on June 4, 2007 to determine if Cpl. Kokesh will now be dishonorably “redischarged.” (Although he had been honorably discharged, he was subject to being recalled to active duty until June 18, 2007. Pending any such recall, however, U.S Citizen Kokesh was not a member of the U.S Military and could not be disciplined, even on such blatantly political grounds as this, without first being recalled to active duty. The Bush Administration recalled Cpl. Kokesh to military duty solely for the purpose of performing a political show trial reminiscent of those held in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s in the Soviet Union.) I strongly urge you to immediately look into this matter and do what you can to prevent the Bush Administration from destroying the life of another truly patriotic American."
Doug Peterson, Minneapolis MN
Adam Kokesh did indeed earn the right to wear that uniform. I believe he and his brother veterans all wore their uniforms honorably and in service to America when they conducted Operation First Casualty.
Vietnam Vet Marine here. Just wondering Sgt. Kokesh, are you the new John Kerry? Yoou got to ramp it up a little if you want to get to his level. He was a master at smearing his brothers. Check out my video about Kerry and his speech to Congress in 1972.
Semper Fi thanks for your service, and I may not agree with what you say,but you earned the right to say it. Just think long and hard before you go as far as Kerry did.This speech in the video cost him the election
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF3b9UIS29w
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