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COURAGE TO RESIST : Soldiers Reject Deployment to Iraq
A recent CNN-USA-Today-Gallup poll shows that a majority of Americans now think that going to war was a mistake and that the war has made the U.S. more vulnerable to terrorism.
This as more “Gold Star” families join Cindy Sheehan’s protest in to Crawford, Texas. Cindy has been in Crawford since August 5th, demanding a meeting with the President and is among many groups that speak out about the meaningless death of soldiers and Iraqi civilians. Now, a new group of concerned community members, veterans and military families have organized support for military objectors to illegal war and occupation and the underlying policies of empire. The National Lawyers Guild Military Law Task Force assists those working on military law issues as well as military law counselors working directly with GIs. It trains and mentors counselors and beginning military law attorneys in all aspects of military law through training materials and direct communication. It updates changes in military law and policy.
Guest-Marti Hiken co-chair of the Military Law Task Force of the National Lawyers Guild.
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The GI Rights Hotline (800) 394-9544
Sgt. Kevin Benderman, a soldier who refused to deploy to Iraq last January and who was just sentenced to 15 months in prison. He claimed that one of his commanders gave him permission to miss the flight to Iraq. Benderman was acquitted of the more serious charge of desertion. CourageToResist.org
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Amnesty International Report – Torture and Secret Detention: Testimony of the ‘Disappeared’ In the ‘War on Terror’
More secretive than Guantánamo, two Yemeni detainees who were transferred from Guantanamo prison appear to have been victims of the US administration’s policy of secret detentions around the world. For over a year and a half they had effectively “disappeared”
Guest- Curt Goering – senior deputy executive director with Amnesty International
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READ THE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT
Colorado: Evidence That the FBI Is Spying On Peaceful Demonstrators
The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado released new documents this week that it says confirm that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) is inappropriately treating peaceful protest as potential terrorism. The ACLU of Colorado has been investigating and calling public attention to activities of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force aimed at intimidating dissenters rather than investigating criminal or terrorist activity.
Guest: Mark Silverstein with the ACLU of Colorado.
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Breaking News : The Cuban 5 Receive New Trial
Notes from Attorney Len Weinglass: During the trial, the attorneys for the Five requested a change of venue from Miami to another city five times. The judge denied each request. In December 2001, two of the Five were sentenced to life in prison, one to 19 years, and one, to 15 years. Gerardo Hernandez received two life terms. Why is it not possible for Cuban nationals like the Five to receive a fair trial in Miami ? What role do anti-Cuban terrorists play? Read Background on Cuban Five Story Here
Guest Attorney Len Weinglass – lead counsel on the Cuban Five case.
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London Shooting Update
Brazilian Jean Charles De Menezes, 27, Was Shot Seven Times in the Head and Once in the Shoulder, at Stockwell Tube Station, South London, a few weeks ago. Security Sources Said Mr Menezes Had an Out-of-date Visa, but His Family Denied This. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw Said He Believed He Was Legally in the Uk.
Guest – Richard Harvey, London Attorney with the National Lawyers Guild and Chair of the the Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers
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