Support Sgt. Kevin Benderman
Dear activists:
To all activists and Peace and Justice organizations, I want to say that it truly is a scary thing to say "no" to the military. Realizing our opposition to war, as members of the armed forces, is only the beginning of a long road to resistance, a road that in the end many choose not to follow. Many service men and women strongly oppose the war but choose to take their chances in combat because they're that afraid to stand up to military authority and say "I will not fight this war." My heart goes out to those military personnel, especially to those who decide to speak out once they're back from the war. But, I must say, as long as there are people who for one reason or other continue to fight, there will be war.
Kevin Benderman has decided to put his weapon down and refuse to fight the war. He is a conscientious objector who never missed a day of duty in more than ten years of service, and he is being tried by a general court-martial, which could award him up to seven years of prison time. Given my court-martial, as well as that of Pablo Paredes', both special court-martials that could not award more than twelve months of jail, it seems to me that the military, and the government, are upping their viciousness in their persecution of innocent conscientious objectors, like Kevin Benderman. Sadly, it also seems to me that the antiwar movement is lowering its support for conscientious objectors.
People, Kevin is facing up to seven years and HE HAS COMMITTED NO CRIME. How can we consider ourselves antiwar while leaving people like Kevin, and his family, alone and without support? Again, I will say again, and again, we can have all the rallies and demonstrations we want to have, and we can have all the self-congratulating events we want, to celebrate our "victories," and we can have all the conventions and peace workshops we want to have, BUT, as long as people in the military continue to participate in this illegal occupation THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A WAR.
Every organization working for Peace and Justice should be activating their chapters and contacts in the Hinesville/Savanna, GA area. Every organization should have something on their websites inviting and encouraging people to attend the trial or to help in other ways. Every Peace and Justice organization should have a link to the Bendermans' website, www.bendermandefense.org Every organization that does fundraising to stop the war should be sending at least one representative to Fort Stewart to stand with the Bendermans. It is the very least we can do if we are truly committed to Peace.
Below are directions to a house the Bendermans have made available for activists from out-of-area to stay (bring sleeping bags and see file attached if you can't view the map). People who like their privacy, and have the money to pay for it, can find cheap hotels in the Hinesville area (see http://hotel-guides.us/georgia/hinesville-ga-hotels.html).
Organizations may email me once they have identified members (and their information) who can attend and participate in public events in Hinesville. Once we know how many people are coming we can arrange speaking events and media coverage, which may be conducted at the address below.
Also, we need people who can write and who have media contacts to start writing and publicizing the Benderman trial. One good source of information is their website.
Please, don't wait any longer to take action, every day we wait is a day of senseless massacre in Iraq. Kevin Benderman stands for Peace and Justice, let's stand with him, when it matters.
In Solidarity,
Camilo E. Mejia
IVAW member
Former Prisoner of Conscience
Black65d@aol.com
The map below shows the exit on I-95, which is for 84/38 West. Take that into Hinesville when it has been joined by 196. At the main road that leads into Ft. Stewart, 196 will turn right off of 84/38. Follow 196 at that right turn and stay in the left lane. (Flash Foods on corner, and Checkers Fast Food on opposite corner.) You will cross over S. Main St. and get into the left turn lane for the next intersection which will be EG Miles Pky. (196 W.) Follow 196 to the left onto EG Miles. Take that road for 2 1/2 miles through the intersection with Frank Cochran (a side entrance road for Ft. Stewart) 1/4 mile after that light, Strickland Road will be on the left (3 streets down.) Liberty Tire is on the opposite side and Grist Equipment is on the far corner of Strickland. This is a very small road and can easily be missed. Turn left onto Strickland and the house is about 4 lots down on the right side. Two houses together, one beige, one white.
