Write a Letter to a Peace Prisoner or Military Resister!

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report Monday May 10, 2004 15:47 by Pit Stop Ploughshares pitstoploughshares at hotmail dot com 087 918 4552

They're in There For Us, We're on the Loose for Them!

As serious nonviolent resistance grows to the US/UK war on Iraq, brothers and sisters find themselves before the courts and in custody.

A simple letter or a postcard can make all the difference to a sense of solidarity, morale, a sends a signal to jail/brig authorities that our friends are not alone etc.

**Consider sending a letter or postcard to a military resister or anti-war prisoner listed below.

Here in Ireland, Mary Kelly goes to trial on June 15th. in Kilrush, Co. Clare.

The Pit Stop Ploughshares return to the Four Courts on May 27th.
www.ploughsharesireland.org

Dear sisters and brothers,

The Guardian (5 May, http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,1209441,00.html) published a huge article about Camilo Mejia, originally from Nicaragua and a soldier in the US army, who declared himself a conscientious objector and refused to go back to his post in Iraq. He is going to appear before a military court on May 19, the charge is desertion.

Camilo's mother has appealed for support and we take this opportunity to invite everyone to send messages of solidarity to Camilo and to register our protest with the military. At a time when so much information is emerging about the rape and torture of Iraqi prisoners by US and UK soldiers, it is crucial that we support those who publicly disassociate themselves from this and the slaughter of women, children and men in the war.

Please send us copy of whatever you write, we'll publish it on our website www.refusingtokill.net.

Yours for refusing to kill,

Giorgio Giandomenici
for Payday - an international and multiracial network of men working with the Global Women's Strike

Camilo Mejia's mother requests support
Letter by Maritza Castillo and circulated by Military Families Speak Out http://www.mfso.org"www.mfso.org

My name is Maritza Castillo and I'm an active member of Military Family Speak Out (MFSO). I'm also the mother of Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia.

On March 24, 2004, Louis Font, my son's lawyer informed me about the charges that my son is being accused of. This is what he told me:

"Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia, 28, of Miami, Florida was charged by his commanders at Ft. Stewart, Georgia with desertion on Wednesday, March 24, 2004. He will be tried by a Special Court Martial, which means that the maximum sentence he can receive is one year imprisonment and a Bad Conduct Discharge."

I've also learned that army officials have restricted Camilo to Ft. Stewart and have barred him from conducting face to face interviews on the base with the media. Louis Font, his civilian attorney, plans to challenge this "gag" order, arguing that my son's rights to free speech are being abridged.

President Bush does not give any explanation about the weapons of mass destruction that have not been found and for which he invaded and bombarded the people of Iraq and sent our young soldiers to die in this illegal and immoral war. Instead he makes a mockery about the reasons he's had to spend the money of the American people in this bellicose adventure. When he is asked about the weapons of mass destruction and the chemical weapons, he responds with vulgar gestures.

It is in this context that the army ignores the conscientious objection application that my son Camilo submitted to this institution. Instead they accuse him of desertion.

I'm addressing the people of the United States of America, the Hispanic Community and the world to express my deepest sorrow and indignation about the injustice that is being made against my son. I want to ask you to continue giving him your support. Please write letters to Camilo expressing your support towards his cause. Send letters to the Army Officials and to the Congress of the United States demanding that his conscientious objection application be accepted.
Camilo's Address:
Ssg. Mejia Camilo
A Company USAG MED-HOLD 865
Hase Road,
Ft. Stewart, GA 31315

Commanding General, Fort Stewart's Address:
Major General William G. Webster, Jr.
Commanding General, Fort Stewart,
42 Wayne Place,
Ft Stewart GA 31314

Peace and Solidarity to the world.

Maritza Castillo

Military Families Speak Out http://www.mfso.org