WINTER SOLDIER HEARINGS
VETERANS SPEAK OUT AGAINST WAR
13-16 March 2008

On March 13-16, US veterans of the wars and occupations in Afghanistan and Iraq will gather in Washington DC to testify about their experiences, and present video and photographic evidence, as will military families and civilian survivors, in “Winter Soldier” hearings organized by Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW).

These hearings are modeled on the 1971 event of the same name organized by anti-war veterans in Detroit which galvanized the movement against the Vietnam war. These important hearings will be broadcast live via satellite, radio and internet all over the world; please see below for details and schedule. The Global Women Strike and Payday will organize a public view in London and possibly in other cities. Details to follow.

v Tune in, organize house parties, showings at community centers, places of worship, trade-union locals/branches, etc. If you organize an event, post it on IVAW’s website here and let us know at Payday, and we will publish it on our website. (Some time differences with the US: five hours later for the UK, six for Central and Western Europe, seven for Eastern Europe and the Middle East.)

v Write a statement of support for the hearings on IVAW’s website (tick “other” if you’re not in the US and insert your post code for “zip code” – it will be accepted). Send a copy to Payday and we will also post it on our website. We are all strengthened when US soldiers say no. If you are a conscientious objector/refusenik from another country tell them your experience. Let Winter Soldier know that the world supports them!

v For more information on what else you can do to publicize and support this important event, see IVAW’s website: www.ivaw.org.

“To stop this war, for the soldiers to stop fighting it, they must have the unconditional support of the people… Convince them that no matter how long they sit in prison, no matter how long this country takes to right itself, their families will have a roof over their heads, food in their stomachs, opportunities and education. How do you support the troops but not the war? By supporting those who can truly stop it; let them know that resistance to participate in an illegal war is not futile and not without a future.”
Lt. Ehren Watada, first commissioned officer to refuse to go to Iraq, faced 7 years in prison, his court-martial ended in a mistrial but he still remains in legal limbo.