THE OBJECTOR
a magazine of conscience and resistance
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CCCO Links
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- Veterans and Military Families
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- Military Out of Our Schools
- The Draft
- Peace & Justice
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Link to us or become a CCCO link volunteer. If you would like to add a link to our site, email us.
GI Rights
- The GI Rights Hotline -- Contains information and publications about discharges from the military. Has links to military regulations related to discharges.
GI Rights Hotline Network Members
American Friends Service Committee - New England Regional Office AFSC carries out service, development, social justice, and peace programs throughout the world. Founded by Quakers in 1917 to provide conscientious objectors with an opportunity to aid civilian war victims.
Catholic Peace Fellowship CPF supports Catholic conscientious objectors through education, counseling, and advocacy. Guided by a personalist philosophy, the CPF seeks to resist war by helping those who choose not to participate in it, one person at a time.
Center on Conscience & War (NISBCO) Formerly the National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors (NISBCO), CCW works to defend and extend the rights of conscientious objectors and is committed to supporting all those who question participation in war, whether they are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, documented or undocumented immigrants--or citizens in other countries.
CCCO -- Formed in 1948, CCCO supports and promotes individual and collective resistance to war and preparations for war.
Gainesville Veterans for Peace - In addition to the GI Rights Hotline, active in opposing the School of the Americas at Ft. Benning, GA and other peace and justice work
Hawaii
Lewis & Clark Military Counseling project Portland, OR - A project of law students at Lewis and Clark College
Military Law Task Force (of the National Laywers' Guild) - 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. An important source of information on military law and court cases.
North County San Diego GI Rights Hotline
Northcoast WRL / Humboldt Committee for Conscientious Objectors (NCWRL-HCCO)
Quaker House of Fayetteville, NC - Quaker House is located in Fayetteville, N.C. - home to Fort Bragg, one of the largest Army posts in the United States, and Pope Air Force Base, one of the busiest bases in the country. Within a three hour drive are Camp Lejeune, one of the largest Marine Corps installations; two other Marine Corps Air Stations; and Ft. Jackson, the Army's largest training base. In this military setting Quaker House staff and volunteers have worked since 1969 to advocate peace and justice.
Resource Center for Nonviolence - To young people considering military service, and the people who love them - For over 30 years members of the RCNV staff have worked with young people who are Conscientious Objectors (COs) to fighting war. Some are making their decision about "draft" registration with the U.S. Dept. of Selective Service; others are enlisted military personnel applying for a Conscientious Objector or other discharges from military service.
San Diego Military Counseling Project - An organization of vets and other people; we work with active duty folks and their families who are having problems within the Military. We can provide you with information, experience, and support that will enable you to know what civil rights you still have, even while in the Military. We can also help people apply for discharges based on Conscientious Objection, Hardship and Dependency or others. If you need an Attorney, Doctor or Clergy not affiliated with the Military we can refer you to one. We are not, in any way, connected with the Military.
Seattle Draft and Military Counseling Center - Works with the GI Rights Network to provide information and advocacy to members of the military and young people concerned about draft registration.
Storrs, Connecticut
Titus Peachey
Veterans for Peace National organization founded in 1985 and includes men and women veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, other conflicts and peacetime veterans.
War Resisters League Affirms that all war is a crime against humanity. We therefore are determined not to support any kind of war, international or civil, and to strive nonviolently for the removal of all causes of war.
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Other Sources of Information Related to Discharge from the Military
Peace-Out -- Focus is on Conscientious Objection, with resources, contacts, and details of the process.
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network - This organization is devoted to lifting the military's ban on lesbians, bisexuals, and gays in the military. (CCCO might rather ban straights from the military instead, but opposes all discrimination as well as all militarism). It is an important resource for anyone considering a discharge under the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy.
Veterans and Military Families
BRING THEM HOME NOW! - A campaign of military families, veterans, active duty personnel, reservists and others opposed to the ongoing war in Iraq and galvanized to action by George W. Bush's inane and reckless challenge to armed Iraqis resisting occupation to "Bring 'em on. "
Citizen Soldier - is a GI/veterans rights advocacy group founded during the Vietnam war. They have recently provided legal defense and public advocacy for Gulf War refusers.
Gold Star Families for Peace - Families of soldiers who have died as a result of war organized to be a positive force in our world to bring our country’s sons and daughters home from Iraq, to minimize the “human cost” of this war, and to prevent other families from the pain we are feeling as the result of our losses.
Guerrero Azteca Project -Resources and and ways to contribute in helping our youth realize their true potential as peace-seeking future students in higher education.
In English and Spanish
Iraq Veterans Against the War - A group of veterans who have served since September 11th, 2001 including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are committed to saving lives and ending the violence in Iraq by an immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces. We also believe that the governments that sponsored these wars are indebted to the men and women who were forced to fight them and must give their Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen the benefits that are owed to them upon their return home.
Military Families Against the War - An organization of people in Britain directly affected by the war in Iraq whose relatives and loved ones are members of the British Armed Services.
Military Families Speak Out - An organization of people who are opposed to war in Iraq and who have relatives or loved ones in the military. We were formed in November of 2002 and have contacts with military families throughout the United States, and in other countries around the world.
MotherSpeak - MotherSpeak fosters cultural awareness and understanding by sharing stories. We believe that dialog -- talking and listening -- with others enriches all of our lives and reduces suspicion, prejudice, and negative assumptions.
National Gulf War Resource Center, Inc.- An international coalition of advocates and organizations providing a resource for information, support, and referrals for all those concerned with the complexities of Persian Gulf War issues, especially Gulf War illnesses and those held prisoner or missing in action.
One Weekend a Month - Eric Escobar's award-winning 12 minute video of a single mom in the National Guard as she gets the news shell be activated and deployed.
Operation Truth - The mission of Operation Truth is to connect the American public with the troops who are serving or served in Iraq and Afghanistan and, by articulating an action agenda, empower citizens to tangibly support the troops.
Reenlist Blues -Dedicated to informing enlisted military members about psychological factors and differences in the military.
Veterans for Peace - We, having dutifully served our nation, do hereby affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause of world peace. To this end we will work, with others (a) Toward increasing public awareness of the costs of war. (b) To restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations (c) To end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons (d) To seek justice for veterans and victims of war (e) To abolish war as an instrument of national policy.
Vietnam Veterans Against the War - Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Inc. (VVAW) is a national veterans' organization that was founded in New York City in 1967. VVAW exposed the ugly truth about US involvement in Southeast Asia and our first-hand experiences helped many other Americans to see the unjust nature of that war. We will continue to oppose senseless military adventures and to teach the real lessons of the Vietnam War. We will do all we can to prevent another generation from being put through a similar tragedy and we will continue to demand dignity and respect for veterans of all eras.
Ray Parrish is VVAW's Veteran / GI Counselor.
Call (773) 561-VVAW or e-mail Ray at camiblue@vvaw.org
GI Resistance
Lieutenant Ehren Watada -- On June 22, 2006, U.S. Army First Lieutenant Ehren K. Watada became the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse deployment to the unlawful Iraq war and occupation. Lt. Watada has been formally charged with contempt towards President Bush, conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, and missing movement.
Sergeant Ricky Clousing -- While Sgt. Ricky Clousing operated as an interrogator in Iraq, he witnessed what he calls abuses of power ranging from daily physical and psychological harassment to baseless incarceration of innocent civilians, including children. After he returned from Iraq, his objections became so deep that he decided he could no longer be involved either indirectly or directly with this organization at this time. Ultimately, he decided that staying in the military was a contradiction to his personal, moral and spiritual beliefs.
Kevin Benderman -- On January 5, 2005, Army Sgt Kevin Benderman refused to deploy for a second tour of duty in Iraq with the Army's Third Infantry Division. At the same time seventeen other soldiers from his unit went AWOL, two tried to kill themselves and one had a relative shoot him in the leg to avoid deploying. The judge for his court martial found that the investigator was biased for the prosecution. The court martial is postponed pending a new investigation.
Camilo Mejia--On May 21, 2004, 28-year-old Sgt. Camilo Mejia was sentenced to one year in prison for refusing to return to fight in Iraq. Camilo concluded that the war was illegal and immoral, and decided that he would not return. In March 2004 he turned himself in to the US military and filed an application for conscientious objector status. He was released from prison on February 15.
Courage to Resist -- Organizes support for military objectors to illegal war and occupation and the underlying policies of empire.
A Brief History: Military Resistance by Zoltan Grossman -- To understand the history of resistance within the U.S. armed forces, and where it might lead, it helps to see how resistance varies strongly according to rank, class and race, and how difficult it is for resisters to express their patriotic viewpoints alone, without support from the larger peace movement...
GI Special - Daily reports on the war and resistance.
Pablo Paredes -- On December 6, Pablo announced his opposition to war in general, to the Iraq war in particular and did not board his ship bound for Iraq. Pablo's claim of Conscientious Objection was denied by the Navy. A court martial was held on May 10. The sentence included two months restriction, three months hard labor without confinement (served concurrently), and reduction in rank to E-1. He was not discharged. The judge stated, " “I think the government has successfully proved that any seaman recruit has reasonable cause to believe that the wars in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Iraq were illegal. "
Stephen Funk -- 20-year-old Marine reservist Stephen Funk showed up at the gates of his San Jose base Tuesday, April 1, 2003-- conscientious objector papers in hand -- ready for punishment for not joining his unit's deployment to Iraq. Stephen served 6 months in the brig for being UA and received a Bad Conduct Discharge.
Katherine Jashinski -- is an imprisoned conscientious objector whose application for a discharge was denied by the Army after almost 18 months. She was then court-martialed for refusing to train with weapons. Katherine was acquitted of the more serious charge of missing movement by design, but pled guilty to refusal to obey a legal order. She received a bad conduct discharge and was sentenced to 120 days confinement, with credit for 53 days already served (at Fort Benning), and 20 days off for good behavior. At the time of her sentencing on May 23, 2006, Katherine had 47 days of confinement remaining. After serving her sentence she will return to school at the University of Texas at Austin and continue her work with the newly founded Austin GI Rights Hotline.
Sir! No Sir! Website for David Zeiger's full-length documentary about the GI Resistance movement, including the 12 minute trailer for the movie, the Not Your Soldier video, GI Movement archives and more. In the 1960s an anti-war movement emerged that altered the course of history. This movement didn't take place on college campuses, but in barracks and on aircraft carriers, army stockades, navy brigs, the dingy towns that surround military bases, and elite military colleges and it spread throughout the battlefields of Vietnam. Hundreds went to prison and thousands into exile. Sir! No Sir! brings to life the history of the GI movement through the stories of those who were part of it with never-before-seen archival material and explores the profound impact that movement had on the military and the war itself.
Tom Joad -- I hope to provide a place here for political commentary and information regarding struggles for justice. There will a special focus at that struggle in Palestine. Palestine is a land filled with refugees in their own country, much like the Joad family, and the real families they represented, here in the United States not so long ago.
War Resisters Support Campaign (Canada) -- A broad-based coalition of community organizations that has launched a petition aimed at Canada's federal government to allow US war resisters who refuse to fight in Iraq to have refuge in Canada. English and French.
Military Out of Our Schools
American Friends Service Committee Youth and Militarism Program - Works to reduce the impacts of war and military institutions on young people's lives.Aims to halt the growing influence of the military in US schools and help students and educators work for peace and better education in their communities. Support those who refuse to participate in militarism and work to expand every person's right to walk away from war and violence.
Anti-ROTC Resource Page - Focusing on organizing against ROTC on college campuses.
Campus Anti-War Network -CAN is an independent, democratic, grassroots network of campus-based antiwar committees.
Coalition Against Militarism in the Schools (CAMS) -To bring together a network of organizations and individuals to oppose the growing intrusion of the military in the lives of young people in the Southern California area.
Committee Opposed to Militarism and the Draft (COMD) -An anti-militarism organization that also challenges the institution of the military, its effect on society, its budget, its role abroad and at home, and the racism, sexism and homophobia that are inherent in the armed forces and Selective Service System. Based in San Diego, CA.
National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth (NNOMY) -Join a growing national network of groups working to stop the militarization of schools and young people!
Nonviolent Action Community of Cascadia -Nonviolent direct action organization and affiliate of WRL. Based in Seattle, WA.
Non-Military Options for Youth - Believing in nonviolence, we seek to balance the military recruiting information given in the high schools and explore with students the many alternate choices available to them. Based in Austin, TX.
Project on Youth and Non-Military Opportunities (Project YANO) -a nonprofit community organization that provides young people with an alternative point of view about military enlistment. Many of our members are armed forces veterans who believe that high school students are getting a distorted picture of the military and war from recruiting ads and marketing. In particular, we are concerned that many low-income students and stud e nts of color are being diverted away from higher education and into the military, where they are found in disproportionate numbers. Based in Encinitas, CA.
Veterans for Peace - With more than 70 local chapters nationwide, VFP articulates one of the most eloquent critiques of war, because they've been there. VFP speakers tear the cover off of the glitzy view of the military presented by recruiters in schools, and many campaign against JROTC. Works to promote reconciliation with the people of Vietnam through rebuilding projects, and engages in humanitarian efforts.
War Resisters League -Committed ye to eliminating war, and its causes of war. WRL works for peace within a framework of social justice.
Third World Outreach
AWOL Magazine: Revolutionary Artists Workshop
Barrios Unidos - A network of anti-violence latino-empowerment organizations.
Muslim Peace Fellowship - The Muslim Peace Fellowship (Ansar as-Salam) is a gathering of peace and justice-oriented Muslims of all backgrounds who are dedicated to making the beauty of Islam evident in the world.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project-The King Papers Project is a major research effort to assemble and disseminate historical information concerning Martin Luther King, Jr. and the social movements in which he participated.
Proyecto Guerrero Azteca - Organization specifically focused on countering recruitment in Latino communities. Based in Escondido, CA.
Before You Enlist...
AWOL! Youth for Peace and Revolution
ROOTS- The youth program from War Resisters League.
Food Not Bombs - These urban pioneers give away free vegetarian food to people who are homeless and hungry and organize to spotlight the military's theft "from all those who are hungry and are not fed." Also connected with the squatters known as Homes not Jails. Local chapters are sprouting up everywhere.
The Draft
Center on Conscience and War - Information and analysis about the possibility of a draft; organizing and anti-draft lobby.
The Practical Nomad - Many articles and resources relating to the history of the draft and analysis of the current situation regarding registration and the draft.
Swarthmore College Peace Collection - The home of the CCCO archives and information on the history of conscientious objection and draft resistance. Contact them if you are researching a school project!
Peace & Justice
Amnesty International - The international human rights organization.
Canadian Peace Alliance - Canada's largest umbrella peace organization. Helps member groups to act as a broad network, in order to provide a strong, coordinated voice for peace issues at the national level.
Catholic Worker - A network of houses of hospitality for homeless people throughout the U.S. Founded by Dorothy Day, the Workers live a commitment to a religious-based anarcho-pacifism through service and protest.
Center for Defense Information -Provides alternative views on security; educates the public and informs policy-makers about issues of security policy, strategy, operations, weapon systems and defense budgeting, and pursues creative solutions to the problems of today and tomorrow.
Christian Peacemaker Teams - Nonviolently deploying peacemakers around the world.
Code Pink - a women initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement that seeks positive social change through proactive, creative protest and non-violent direct action.
Fellowship of Reconciliation/USA - Seeks to replace violence, war, racism, and economic injustice with nonviolence, peace, and justice. Educates, trains, build coalitions, and engages in nonviolent and compassionate actions locally, nationally, and globally.
Friends for a Nonviolent World - Works to build a world where all people can speak truth to power, practice alternatives to violence, gain strength from community, and act in a spirit of cooperation to work for peace and justice. Based in St. Paul, MN
IGC Progressive Directory - A very large site (encompassing PeaceNet, WomensNet, LaborNet, ConflictNet, and EcoNet) with a powerful internal search engine.
Iraq Photos - A news blog on the war in Iraq. It is well updated, and pulls no punches. They also archive many high quality photographs that are not available anywhere else.
Jewish Peace Fellowship - We WORK to abolish war and to create a community of concern transcending national boundaries and selfish interests.
Jewish Voice for Peace - Jewish Voice for Peace is a diverse and democratic community of activists inspired by Jewish tradition to work together for peace, social justice, and human rights. We support the aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians for security and self-determination.
Nonviolence Web - Created by New Society Press alums and home to many wonderful groups listed here.
Peace Abbey -- The National Registry for Conscientious Objection was created at The Peace Abbey following the war in the Persian Gulf in early 1991. The National Registry provides men and women of all ages with an opportunity to register their objection to personal, national, and international violence.
Peace Action - Works to cut the military budget, stop the arms trade, and, of course, promote nuclear disarmament. Many local chapters protest the militarization of schools.
The Peace Alliance - Campaign to establish a U.S. Department of Peace.
Peace and Justice Studies Association (PJSA) - Provides leadership in the broadly defined field of peace, conflict and justice studies. Dedicated to bringing together academics, K-12 teachers and grassroots activists to explore alternatives to violence and share visions and strategies for social justice and social change.
Peace Brigades International - Sends, upon request and consultation, nonpartisan "peace teams" into areas of violent conflict in order to provide nonviolent human-shield "bodyguards" for activists and human rights workers.
PeaceTree - Provides web space for organizations and links to the myriad of resources available on the Net devoted to diversity, justice, and peace.
National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee - The U.S. coalition working to promote conscientious objection and resistance to paying for war.
Truth Out - A news and editorial weblog with information not covered in the mainstream media.
United for Peace and Justice - a coalition of more than 800 local and national groups throughout the United States opposing our government's policy of permanent warfare and empire-building.
US Labor Against the War (USLAW) - To protect our members and the lives and livelihoods of working people everywhere, we will advocate, educate and mobilize in the US labor movement for: (a) A Just Foreign Policy. (b) An end to U.S. Occupation of Foreign Countries. (c) Redirecting the Nation's Resources. (d) Supporting Our Troops and their Families. (e) Protecting Workers' Rights, Civil Rights, Civil Liberties and the Rights of Immigrants. (f) Solidarity With Workers and their Organizations Around the World.
Women Against Military Madness - A nonviolent feminist organization that works in solidarity with others to create a system of social equality, self-determination and justice through education and empowerment of women. Based in Minneapolis, MN.
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom - Promotes an annual peace budget to redirect money from the military to meet human, especially women's, needs. Many local chapters work to demilitarize schools.
Publications
Peacework - Monthly journal published since 1972 by the New England Regional Office of the AFSC. It covers the full range of "Global Thought and Local Action for Nonviolent Social Change," with a special focus on the northeastern United States.
Draft Notices - Bimonthly printed newsletter of Committee Opposed to Militarism and the Draft (COMD).