****TRUE HEROES To our brothers and sisters in the Missouri National Guard: We are writing to you as active-duty U.S. service members and veterans, most of us having served in the Iraq war. You have a choice you can make right now. The whole world is watching the Ferguson police with disgust. They killed an unarmed, college-bound Black youth in broad daylight, and subsequently responded to peaceful, constitutionally-protected protests with extreme violence and repression. Countless constitutional and human rights violations by these police have been documented over the course of the Ferguson protests; from attacking and threatening journalists, to using tear gas against peaceful protesters, including children. Now, Governor Nixon has again activated the National Guard to “support law enforcement.” But you don’t have to follow their orders—you can stand with the protesters instead. Our true duty When we signed up, we swore an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. The police in Ferguson are violating that Constitution. The First Amendment guarantees the right to free speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of the press. These laws are, as we are taught our entire lives, our most cherished Constitutional rights—the whole basis for the “freedom” we are told makes us the greatest country on Earth. It is undeniable that the Ferguson police has used extreme violence against peaceful protesters, suppressing the right of the people to free speech and the freedom to assemble. They have attacked crowds, with children in them, with rubber bullets, sound cannons and tear gas. People have been mass arrested for simply being at the protest. Image credit: Flickr Freedom of the press has also been severely infringed upon by Ferguson police. Journalists have been arrested; photo evidence shows riot police firing tear gas directly at reporters and tearing down their camera equipment; Ferguson police have been caught on video threatening journalists with violence if they don’t leave, and declaring that they are not allowed in the protest area. With such important and dramatic events unfolding, the right of the people in the United States to have the truth covered by the press is essential to any so-called democratic society. The people have the right to protest. If we were truly honoring our oath, we would be in Ferguson to protect the protesters against the repression of their rights by the police. We don’t just have a legal obligation, but a moral one Clearly, we would be within our legal rights to refuse to help the Ferguson police unconstitutionally suppress these protests. But beyond the constitutional case, we have a moral obligation to refuse to participate. The Ferguson police are treating this like a war. And we know that not all wars are just. These protests have done something very important in our society: they have raised the deep issues we face of inequality, poverty, racism and police misconduct onto a national stage. It has turned public consciousness to these real problems that plague our society. Do you really want to be part of suppressing those civilians raising all these important issues on the national stage? Racist police brutality is a real issue in America The autopsy of Michael Brown confirms at least five eye-witness accounts that the young man—who was not even suspected by Darren Wilson of any crime—was shot while he had his hands in the air. Those of us in the military—especially with combat experience—knows that this flies in the face of any Rules of Engagement, and we know that it is completely ridiculous to believe that Darren Wilson feared for his life in anyway whatsoever. Increasingly, the issue of rampant police brutality in America—most frequently by white officers against people of color, with an African American killed every 28 hours by police—is garnering more and more attention on a national and international scale. Outrage by the community against the state’s refusal to hold Darren Wilson accountable is entirely justified; the movement, led by Black youth, is a just movement. History is unfolding, with the whole world watching. You have a decision to make on which side of history to be on. You will make history, one way or the other If you take part in the suppression of the protests for Michael Brown, we will be enshrined in history just as the National Guard soldiers who followed their orders to attack and repress civil rights actions, union pickets and anti-war protests. History has not looked kindly on them. But you have the chance to make a different kind of history. Imagine the powerful impact it would have if you abandoned your posts and marched with the protesters. That single action could have the biggest possible effect on the crisis in Ferguson and the larger issues it represents in the entire country. It could be a major turning point in the fight against racism, inequality and police abuse. You wouldn’t be alone. There is a whole community of service members, veterans and civilian supporters who would defend your right to do so. And now, in this critical moment, we are urging you to exercise that right. Justice for Mike Brown! Arrest Darren Wilson! …add your name to this open letter to the National Guard by emailing your name, branch and dates of service, and any deployments to [email protected] This appeal is signed by: Post-911 veterans: Kourtney Mitchell, US Army, 2011-present Sara Beining, US Army, 2004-present (Iraq war veteran) Kelsa Pellettiere, US Army, 2009-present Anonymous Air Force Technical Sergeant, 2000-present (Afghanistan war veteran) Jhassier Laurentes, US Navy, 2013-present SSG Al Robinson III, US Army, 1999-present (Afghanistan war veteran) Lisa Wnek, US Air Force, 2009 – 2014 (Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran) Monique Salhab, US Army, 1997-2007 (Iraq war veteran) Margaret Stevens, US Army, 1997-2004 Chantelle Bateman, US Marines Reserve, 2003-2009 (Iraq war veteran) Mike Prysner, US Army, 2001-2005 (Iraq war veteran) Sean McCrea, US Marines, 2005-2012 (Iraq war veteran) William Felton, US Army, 2005-2012 (Iraq war veteran) Kevin Benderman, US Army, 1987-1991 & 2000-2008 (Iraq war veteran) Alynn McLellan, US Army, 2008-2012 (Iraq war veteran) Danny Birmingham, US Army, 2009-2012 (Iraq war veteran) Adam Fuentes, US Navy, 2007-2012 Ryan Endicott, US Marines, 2004-2008 (Iraq war veteran) William Griffin, US Army, 2004-2010 (Iraq war veteran) Jason Cardenas, US Army, 2002-2007 (Iraq war veteran) Hart Viges, US Army, 2001-2004 (Iraq war veteran) Ross Caputi, US Marines, 2003-2006 (Iraq war veteran) Camillo Mejia, US Army, 1995-2010 (Iraq war veteran) James Circello, US Army, 2001-2008 (Iraq war veteran) Jayel Aheram, US Marines, 2006-2010 (Iraq war veteran) Miguel Colon, US Marines, 2001-2006 (Iraq war veteran) Wendy Barranco, US Army, 2003-2006 (Iraq war veteran) Michael Sullivan, US Army, 2005-2007 (Iraq war veteran) Kristen Walston, US Navy, 1996-2003 Vincent Emanuele, US Marines, 2002-2006 (Iraq war veteran) Jeremy Berggren, US Marines, 1998-2004 Ken Braley, US Army, 2002-2005 Jessie Ryan, US Army, 2000-2006 (Iraq war veteran) Nick Kallio, US Army, 2007-2013 (Iraq war veteran) Joe Soel, US Army, 2006-2014 (Iraq war veteran) Jami King, US Army, 2004-2005 Richard Stroder, US Marines, 2004-2009 (Iraq war veteran) Anonymous, US Army, 2005-2010 (Iraq war veteran) Jonathan Engle, US Army, 2007-2013 (Iraq war veteran) Amber Royster, US Navy, 2000-2006 Michael Downs, US Army, 1985-2009 Zollie Goodman, US Navy, 2002-2006 (Iraq war veteran) Kasey Keck, US Army (Iraq war veteran) Curtis Sirmans, US Army, 2006-2012 (Iraq war veteran) Michael Nelson Hanes, US Marines, 1994-2004 (Iraq war veteran) Clifton Hicks, US Army, 2003-2005 (Iraq war veteran) Aaron Myracle, US Army, 2002-2010 (Iraq war veteran) Kelvin Rodeo, US Navy, 2007-2011 Danilo Deocampo, US Navy, 1997 – 2003 Nate Yielding, Virginia Army National Guard 2001-2007, Maryland Air Guard 2007-2011 Aaron Myracle, Washington Army National Guard, 2002-2010 Damien Boyd, US Army, 2001-2014 Victor Agosto, US Army, 2005-2009 (Iraq War Veteran) Alec Stevens, US Air Force, 1999-2008 Jason Mizula, US Army &US Coast Guard, 2002-2008 (Iraq War veteran) Daniel Fargason, US Army, 2005-2009 (Iraq war veteran) David A Meyer, US Air Force, 1979 – 2001 Lara Gale, US Army & Air Force Reserve , 1999-2006 Andrew Dyer, US Navy, 2001-2012 Gloria A, Downey, US Air Force, 2002 – 2009 (Iraq war veteran) German Martinez, US Marines, 2010-2014 James Poteet, US Army & National Guard, 1993-2001 Carmine Matlock, US Air Force, 2005-2010 Maggie Martin, US Army, 2002-2006 (Iraq War Veteran) Robert Howell, Illinois Air National Guard, 1999 to 2011 (Iraq war veteran) Ian LaVallee, US Army, 2005-2009 (Iraq war veteran) Adam G. House, US Army, 2006-2010 Claire White, US Air Force, 2006-2012 Randall Mayhugh, US Army, 2003-2006 Jovanni Reyes, US Army, 1993-2005 Ramon Mejia, US Marines, 2001-2004 (Iraq war veteran) Matt Stys, US Army & Penn. Army National Guard, 1990-1998, 2005-2009 Angela Hamnes, US Navy, 2001-2011 Joe Nunley, US Marines, 1997-2002 Justin Thompson, US Army, 2007-2010 (Iraq war veteran) …add your name to this open letter to the National Guard by emailing your name, branch and dates of service, and any deployments to [email protected] Pre-911 veterans: Daniel Craig, US Army (Gulf war veteran) Gerry Werhan, US Marines, 1971-1994 (Gulf war veteran) Curt Schaiberger, US Army, 1987-1991 (Gulf War veteran) Michael T. McPhearson, U.S. Army 1981-1992 (Gulf War Veteran) Forrest Schmidt, US Army, 1994-2000 John Fortier, US Air Force, 1952-1955 (Korean war veteran) Bill Perry, US Army, 1967-1968 (Vietnam war veteran) Matt Dubuc, US Army, 1994-1997 (Bosnia veteran) Sanfod Kelson, US Army, 1963-1966 Alexis Fectaeu, US Airforce, 22 years Benny Harris, US Navy, 1973-1993 Eric Meyer, US Navy, 1967-1971 (Vietnam war veteran) Victoria Marx, US Navy, 1969-1976 (Vietnam war veteran) Charles SHelton, US Coast Guard, 1969-1972 Annzala Pitt, US Army, 9 years Leonard Vernon, US Army, 1964-1966 Tom Adams, US Army, 1971-1973 Paul Appell, US Army, 1968-1971 (Vietnam war veteran) Derrick Wilson, US Army, 6 years Danny McGregor, US Navy, 21 years Douglas Ryder, US Navy, 1964-1967 (Vietnam war veteran) Arlene Edwards, US Army Nurse Corps, 1966-1970 (Vietnam war veteran) Tommy Griffin, US Army, 1976-1999 Gary Lail, US Navy, 1964-1968 Selena Vincin, US Army, 1995-1997 Danny Fry, US Army, 1970 (Vietnam war veteran) Albert Sargis, US Marines, 1956-1962 Dave Logsdon, US Navy, 1966-1970 Ken Ashe, US Army, 1969-1971 (Vietnam war veteran) Sven Pihl, US Navy, 1986-1990 William Holcomb, US Navy, 1946-1949 Daveed Williams, US Navy, 1987-1990 Nick Velvet, US Army, 1967-1969 (Vietnam war veteran) Harold Donle, US Marines (Vietnam war veteran) Paul Turner, US Air Force, 1981-1988 Jamie St. Clair, US Navy, 4 years Allie Thorpe, US Navy, 4 years Bill Graffam, US Navy (Korean war veteran) Mike Madden, US Air Force, 1973-1979 Ron Arm, US Army, 1966-1971 Tarak Kauff, US Army, 1959-1962 Tom Palumbo, US Army, 1978-1993 Patrick McCann, US Air Force, 1970-1972 Mark Foreman, US Navy, 1966-1968 (Vietnam war veteran) Gerry Condon, US Army, 1967-1975 Ron Arm, US Army, 1966-1971 (Vietnam war veteran) Mike Budd, US Army, 1968-1971 (Vietnam war veteran) Amos Sunshine, US Army, 1952-1955 Glenn Wright, US Air Force, 1962-1974 James Domenico, US Navy, 1973-1976 Janice Josephine Carney, U.S. Army 1969-1972 (Vietnam war veteran) Russell Brown, US Marines, 1966-68 Priscilla J Leach, US Coast Guard Reserve, 1982-94 Ray Reese, US Marine Corps 1956-1962 Ray Albrecht, US Army, 1974 – 1977 Christopher G. Wales, USN, 1980-1986 Marlon Moore, US Navy, 1990-1999 James C. Branch, US Navy, 1985-1996 Thomas Easley, US Army, 1972-1974 Dennis Lambert, US Army, 1992-2000 Douglas A. Stuart, US Army, 1968-1970 (Vietnam war veteran) Gary E. May, US Marines, 1967-1968 (Vietnam war veteran) Emanuele Vorso, US Air Force (Retired) William Miniutti USMC 1968-1970 (Vietnam war veteran) James Reagan Marcroft-Clark, US Marines, 1996-2000 Maxwell Burgess, US Navy, 1979-1984 April Adams, US Army, 1990-2000 Tom Palumbo, US Army & Reserves, 1978-1992 Russell Bates, US Navy, 1967-1970 Tariq Khan, US Air Force, 1996-2000 Paul Appell, US Army, 1968-1971 (Vietnam war veteran) Reese Forbes, US Army, 1968-1970 Vernon Haltom, US Air Force, 1986-1992 George Waldman, US Air Force, 1960-1969 Carolyn Rowan, US Air Force, 1976-1978 Steven M Cross, US Army, 1970 – 1972 (Vietnam war veteran) Michael Mangini, US Army, 1979-1983 Deston Denniston US Army, 1988-1990 Nate Goldshlag, US Army 1970-1972 M. Lara Hoke, US Navy, 1990-1994 Colin Jenkins, US Army, 1994-1998 Bill Mattis, US Marines, 1969 – 1971 Adolph L. Biel II, US Navy, Vietman Era Aubrey Deloney, US Navy, 1996-2000 Charles Dean Pleasant Jr., US Air Force, 1972-1976 Jeannie Ramsey, US Navy, 1974-1976 George R. Jenkins, US Army, 1965-1967 (Vietnam war veteran) …add your name to this open letter to the National Guard by emailing your name, branch and dates of service to [email protected] theantimedia.org/veterans-national-guard-in-ferguson/
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 12:12:09 +0000
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