Letters of Support
Letters may be emailed or mailed to:
Free Camilo
c/o Maritza Castillo
201 178 Drive # 323
Miami, FL. 33160
from Matt
I just finished reading your story as to why you now sit behind bars and I must admit, I was moved. I can only imagine what type of courage it took to make such a decision.
I have always been a staunch supporter of our troops, as I have two friends who are both marines and both have seen combat action in Iraq. The horror stories that they have come back with are staggering and force me to ask the question--why is the American media so afraid to portray what is actually going on? Why must a soldier be incarcerated and have his record potentially tarnished to get the truth out?
Anyway, keep up the good work and thank you for supporting the troops by getting the message out and hopefully, helping to get them out of this silly mess.
from Gordon Catlin (USNA Class of 1984):
I stumbled upon the story of Camilo on the Internet, and I would like to take this opportunity to offer my words of support.
I am a distinguished graduate of the United States Naval Academy (Class of 1984) who served honorably in the US Navy until 1990. As part of my leadership training at the Naval Academy, I was introduced to the concept of lawful vs. unlawful orders, a subject that I feel belongs at the forefront of the debate regarding the curent war with Iraq.
It seems obvious to me, based on my extensive research, that the very top
of the US chain of command, from the Commander in Chief and uniformed military
leaders on down, have either forgotten about or, even worse, willfully chosen
to disregard the importance of adhering to a binding legal framework for
waging war against another country in the case of Iraq (for starters, witness
the Office of Special Plans, the USA's willful non-adherence to the Geneva
Convention, and the blatant cronyism of the Bush administration in handing
out Iraqi reconstruction contracts). It is therefore quite unfortunate indeed
that a brave individual like Camilo, who seems to understand the concept
of law and US constitutional principles better than his superiors, and who
is obviously equipped with far superior moral fibre, must suffer the grave
injustice of incarceration for having stood up to the authorities that betrayed
him, his comrades in arms, the American people, and the entire international
community.
Unfortunately, his is only one case among many in this ugly phase of American history, where so many individuals (citizens and non-citizens alike) have been forced to suffer due to the blatant disregard for international and US constitutional law exhibited by our country's so-called leaders. And that is all the more reason to support Camilo and his commitment to take action. I sincerely hope that your organization is successful in securing his release soon.
from Sue Webster (UK):
Dear SSg Mejía,
I wanted to send you a quick email letter of support for the stance you have taken. My name is Susan Webster and I am the wife of SFC Abdullah Webster who was himself jailed in June for 14 months for refusal to go to Iraq.
I wanted to offer the family's support and assure you that your circumstances are going global. I heard about your case over here in the UK and it is being covered all over Europe.
Yours and my husband's case are very similar - both your applications for conscientious objector status were pending when you were jailed, both of you refused to go to Iraq because it is an unjust war and innocent lives are now being lost on both sides. Like my husband, I'd imagine that you are with inmates with milder sentences than your own and whose cases are being pursued whilst your transcripts are still pending.
My husband was over the moon to hear about your courageous stance, the pride in his voice was uplifting when he recalled seeing what you'd said on tv. We both say to you to 'STAY ENCOURAGED', the Lord is on your side. What you did was difficult and brave and you will be remembered for it.
May the Lord continue to bless you and your family - remember Ps 27:1 and know that there are many praying for you around the world.
God bless you!!!
from Dave Swan (Brisbane, Australia):
While history is sure to remember the likes of your President and his staff - those who sent you to war - it will also remember the likes of you, and for better reasons.
Your actions in standing by your beliefs are the same type of actions that we should all aspire to. Your example gives me hope that we can be better than we are. You've got at least one supporter in Australia, mate, and when I tell my friends and family about you, you'll have more. Never, ever shut up.
from Barbara (Alexandria, VA):
I want to commend you on your great courage in standing up for what you
believe in. I'm sorry you have to serve a year in prison but, you have a
lot of people supporting you, including me. Also, something wonderful has
happened, it's called "Farenheit 9/11" and Michael Moore just
may have saved America with his documetary! People are finally waking up
and see what an unjust war this is.
I wish you all the best and all the strength you need to get through this.
from Dan Burnam:
Dear Camilo,
I first heard your story on 60 minutes. Although I never served in combat, I am proud to be a veteran. I served under the only Commander and Chief to ever receive the Nobel Peace Prize, the honorable Jimmy Carter. I am an active member of Veterans for Peace and I just returned from the Texas State Democratic convention where we were successful in passing a resolution for the creation of a national Department of Peace.
My heart and my prayers are with you. I know your actions are not one of a coward. You knew when you made your choice that your actions were potentially punishable by death. At the very least you knew you would be condemned by your peers. Yet you still decided to take a stand based on your devotion to a higher power. You risked it all to take a stand against this immoral War. You are one of the truly brave and courageous. I am totally inspired by you. When my wife complained that I was spending all my FREE time working for Peace and Justice, I used you as an example. I reminded her of the risk you took and your sacrifice. At least I have FREE time. They have only locked me up for very brief 24 hour periods for exercising my constitutional rights.
How can we possible deny a man of your integrity, citizenship and freedom while we allow a coward that went AWOL for personal gain to remain in the White House as Commander and Chief.
Stay strong my comrade. I know you will get through this and you are the better person for it.
To Camilo's mother,
God bless you . It is one thing to give birth but it is another thing to
raise a child properly. You have created a truly great person and I pray
for his freedom, his Honorable discharge and his citizenship. Be proud.
Please help Samantha understand what a great and courageous man her father
is.
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." - Nelson Mandela
an email received at the offices of The Peace Abbey:
I am not often provoked to write to strangers out of the blue, but I wanted to find Camilo Mejía and tell him this: You are my new hero!!! I read about him today, and I am in awe and utter respect. Truly, this is a brave and wonderful thing he has done. It is good to know, in times when I feel quite alone in my views, that someone out there is willing to speak up and stand for what they believe, despite immense consequences and disapproval. Please pass on to him, if you can, that he has me and my husband's utter respect and support, and thank him for standing so strongly behind his convictions. I am certain there are many more who feel the same way I do.