SKIP THE PLANE - TAKE THE TRAIN
GI Rights Hotline
800-394-9544
It takes courage to say that you will not fight -- especially if you are a soldier. As more members of the U.S. military step forward for peace, the peace movement must step forward to support them.
Large numbers are now refusing to serve: The Department of Defense estimates that there are about 8,000 AWOL service members. The GI Rights Hotline (800-394-9544) is currently receiving about 3,000 calls a month.
Most importantly, a growing number of soldiers are speaking out, against the illegality and immorality of the Iraq war and the orders they are being told to carry out. These brave men and women are risking jail time and their futures to stand up against the war.
| Recruit having second thoughts |
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On the Peace Train to DC we met 19 year old Jeremy traveling from Emeryville, CA to Naperville, IL who is having second thoughts about his delayed enlistment in the Air Force. In the family tradition, at age 17 Jeremy signed up on the delayed enlistment program. Jeremy then went on to finish High School with a 3.8 grade point average, a 29 ACT score and 1400 on his SAT's. A little over a year ago Jeremy lost his Mom to suicide, and he was on the train to Naperville, IL. to attend another relative's funeral. Nine months after his Mom passed, Jeremy's dad remarried and the new family had no room in the house for Jeremy, he is now living where he can, working as he can, and wishes he could go to college instead of Iraq. In Jeremy's first brush with the law he was caught in a park with a pipe and is now on court supervision until he reports for duty in the military. Now he is having second thoughts and would rather go to school.
Many thanks to the folks at Veterans for Peace for helping Jeremy become fully informed about his rights and options. |
