First Officer Publicly Resisting War Gains National Support

First Officer Publicly Resisting War Gains National Support
By Sarah Olson
Truthout | Report

Thursday 08 June 2006

When 27-year-old US Army First Lieutenant Ehren Watada announced his refusal to deploy to Iraq yesterday, he did so surrounded by veterans, military family members, and members of the religious and anti-war communities. News of Watada’s intent to refuse his orders to deploy to Iraq has galvanized anti-war communities around the country, many of which are already calling for a series of demonstrations in support of Watada’s actions. And others they hope will be inspired to refuse deployment to Iraq as well.

At a press conference in Tacoma, Washington, Watada announced his view that the war in Iraq is immoral and illegal, and his intent was to refuse to deploy to fight that war. Watada said, “It is my duty as a commissioned officer of the United States Army to speak out against grave injustices. I stand before you today because it is my job to serve and protect soldiers, the American people and innocent Iraqis with no voice.” Watada went on to say that his participation in the Iraq war would make him party to grave moral injustice and war crimes.

While Watada may face a court martial for his decision to refuse to deploy to Iraq, he has also received significant support from veterans’ organizations. Members of Iraq Veterans Against the War, the War Resisters League, and many chapters of Veterans for Peace have all come to Watada’s defense.

Ann Wright is a retired US Army colonel and US diplomat who resigned her position in 2003 in protest of the war in Iraq. She says that after spending 29 years in the military she understands how significant it is for an officer to disobey not just his direct orders, but also everything he has been trained to do. Wright says the entire military establishment is based on order and discipline, and for an officer to defy this system based on his personal beliefs takes an enormous amount of bravery. But she also says it’s important for Watada, as a Lieutenant, to speak publicly. “People need to know there are these brave young men and women who are standing up and who are willing to go to jail because of what they believe.” She says people in the US must understand that the military isn’t united in its support for the war in Iraq.

Camilo Mejia is an Iraq war veteran who spent more than 7 years in the Army. When his conscientious objector status was denied in 2004, he spent nearly a year in prison rather than return to Iraq. He says Watada’s public stand is admirable and should be commended. “The Pentagon recently reported 8,000 cases of desertion. These are people in the military who are saying ‘no’ to their units and the war, but where are they? It takes a special kind of individual to break the silence and risk all for a bigger cause.”

Mejia hopes Lieutenant Watada’s stand inspires others to refuse their orders as well. “It’s going to take regular people to realize that they don’t have to be in the army and refuse orders to make a difference,” Mejia said. “The stance Ehren is taking is inspiring, but others need to take more responsibility and realize that they have power, too, and then they have to use that power.”

Members of religious communities have long opposed the war in Iraq on moral grounds. Jim Davis is a United Methodist minister who attended Watada’s press conference yesterday to support his stand. Davis says the war in Iraq violates traditional Christian just-war principles and is an ongoing moral issue for all Christian citizens in the United States. Davis calls on people around the country to support Lieutenant Watada.

Davis wanted Watada to know that religious communities, “Stand with you today in support of your act of conscience as you have sought to do that which is right. We solute you for your courage to take a moral stance. We salute you for your compassion for soldiers and families affected by this war and for your call to bring the troops home.”

While Watada is making a very personal stand against the war, his family is supporting him through his decision. Robert Watada told the Honolulu Advertiser, “My son has a great deal of courage, and clearly understands what is right, and what is wrong. He’s choosing to do the right thing, which is a hard course.”

Loren Watada is Ehren’s older brother. He traveled to Washington state Wednesday to support his brother during his press conference in Tacoma. He says he respects his brother’s actions and is behind him one hundred percent. He fails to see the crime that he is committing. “What crime has he committed? They’re talking about incarcerating him in prison, but he’s not a criminal. There is no crime he has committed against our society or our country. He’s standing by his beliefs and saying that the war is an illegal war. To me, that’s not a crime.”

Anti-war organizations have launched a campaign to thank Lieutenant Watada for his actions and to stand with him in his resistance to what he says is an immoral and illegal war. David Solnit, a long-time organizer in the peace movement said, “There is an umbrella of his family and friends that supports these courageous actions to support our troops, the American people and US international law.” Many in the anti-war movement see this as a much needed inspiration to those who feel that nothing can be done to stop the Iraq war.

Family and friends of Lieutenant Watada have launched a national campaign to support his actions and to encourage other military personnel to do the same. Anti-war activists are planning coordinated national actions set to begin at the end of June in support of Watada’s anticipated refusal to deploy to Iraq. For more information, visit the web site: https://www.thankyoult.org.