* Aug 19-27: Lt. Watada's father Bob Watada in Bay Area

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Aug 19-27: Lt. Watada's father Bob Watada in Bay Area

Dear (friends),

I suggest you read the article on Ehren Watada's speech at the Veterans For Peace Convention by Dar Jamail on http://www.couragetoresist.org If you every wonder whether young people in this country have integrity and courage, well, you wuldn't ask that question if you saw Ehren and Iraq Veterans Against War members step up hugely!

Here's his dad's schedule for his upcoming tour of SF Bay Area.

Please share with as many as possible.

8/15/06
BOB WATADA SPEAKING TOUR: August 19-27, 2006


Bob Watada will be on a West Coast speaking tour in support of his son, Lt. Ehren Watada, from August 19 ­ 27, 2006. The purpose of the speaking tour is:

(1) to speak out on behalf of his son about what is going on in Iraq and why his son refuses to participate in the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq.

(2) to build support for his son as he faces military court- martial proceedings

(3) to raise funds for his son's legal defense.


Who is Lt. Ehren Watada?

Lt. Ehren Watada is the first commissioned U.S. military officer to publicly refuse orders in support of the illegal Iraq War. He was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and is of Japanese and Chinese ancestry. He is a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and has served for 3 years.

In January 2006 he first asked permission to resign his commission based on his understanding that the war in Iraq is illegal, and that any order to participate would be an illegal order. He did not apply for a conscientious objector discharge and does not intend to do so, as he is not opposed to all wars, but believes this war in Iraq is illegal. His requests have been denied by the Army.

On June 7, 2006, Lt. Watada announced his refusal to deploy to Iraq. He has been formally charged with contempt towards President Bush, conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, and missing movement. For the first time since 1965, the military is prosecuting an objector for his opinions.

He faces over seven years in prison - over five years for First Amendment speech alone! A military pre-trial hearing is scheduled for August 17-18, 2006. The actual court-martial will likely follow 6 to 12 weeks later.

Who is Bob Watada?

Bob Watada is the father of Lt. Ehren Watada. Bob was born and raised in the farming community of Fort Lupton, Colorado. He has worked for 31 years in state government, including serving as the former Executive Director of the State Campaign Spending Commission of Hawaii (1995-2006). He was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Peru (1964-66).


PARTAL LISTING OF BOB WATADA TOUR EVENTS


Sat. 8/19 7:30-9:30 Vigil for Abeer Hamza
(14-year old girl who was raped & killed with her family by 5 US troops)
Willard Park (Telegraph & Derby), Berkeley
Contact: Not in Our Name 510-601-8000

Sun. 8/20 11-5:00pm American Muslim Voice Foundation
Convention 12:45-1 pm Bob Watada speaks
5748 Mowry School Rd., Newark
Contact: Samina F. Sundas 650-387-1994
http://www.amuslimvoice.org

Mon. 8/21 noon-1pm Press Conference
SF Japantown (Peace Plaza or NJAHS
Gallery) Contact: Grace Morizawa gmorizawa [at] yahoo.com
510-289-1285

6:00-8:30pm Reception & Event in SF Japantown
Japanese Community & Cultural Center of NC
(JCCCNC) 1840 Sutter, San Francisco
Contact: Pete Yamamoto 415/921-5007

Tu. 8/22 1-3 pm brown bag lunch & educational event
Peace & Justice Center of Sonoma County
467 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa
Contact: Elizabeth 707-575-8902

6-9pm Buena Vista United Methodist Church-
Reception & Event
2311 Buena Vista Ave. Alameda
Contact: Rev. Michael Yoshii
510/522-2688

Wed. 8/23 10:30-noon UC Berkeley gathering with
students and campus organizers
Heller Lounge, Student
Union Building, UC Berkeley
Contact: Nina Falleunbaum 510-812-8026
noon-1:30pm Event at UC Berkeley ­ Sproul Plaza
Contact: Wesley Ueunten 510-579-2711

7-9:30pm Reception & Educational Event
St. Paul's Church, 405 S. 10th St, San Jose
Contact: Rose Takamoto 408-725-2933

Thu. 8/24 noon-3pm World Can't Wait­Youth & Students Conference
San Francisco (site TBA)
Contact: Jessalyn Gagui 415-286-3408

7pm Reception & Educational Event
Newman Center, 5900 Newman
Ct., Sacramento
Contact: Sacramento-Yolo Peace Action 916-448-7157

Fri. 8/25 10-11:30am No. Cal. Japanese
Christian Theological Forum
Berkeley Methodist United Church-
chapel
1710 Carleton St/McGee in Berkeley
Contact: Laura Takeuchi 510-848-3614

7-10pm "Sir! No, Sir!" Film Screening & Speakers
Santa Cruz Veterans Building
Contact: Sharon Kufeldt 650-799-1070

Sat. 8/26 7-9pm Educational & Cultural Event
Berkeley Friends
Church; 1600 Sacramento St.,
Berkeley
Contact: Betty Kano 510-684-0239

Sun. 8/27 4-6pm Speaking Event
AFSC building, 65-Ninth St., SF
Contact: Martha Hubert 415-647-1119

For more event information: 510-528-7288
For media
information: 510-289-1285

To donate by mail: Please make check payable to
For tax-deductible donations of $250/more, make check to
Send donations :


What Can You Do?

1. Support the Bob Watada Speaking Tour
--attend events and encourage others to attend
--volunteer to help at the scheduled events

2. Make a generous financial contribution to Lt. Ehren Watada's legal defense fund

3. Sign the petition online http://www.thankyoult.org

4. Encourage your local or national organization to become an official endorser and supporter of this effort.

5. Educate others about Lt. Ehren Watada's cause and encourage them to support

6. Write a letter in support of Lt. Watada to your local editor and respond to any attack on his courageous stand against an illegal war.

7. Check http://www.thankyoult.org for breaking news and forthcoming organizing materials. Add yourself to the Updates and Alerts email bulletin.

8. Help organize nationally-coordinated support actions prior to upcoming military court-martial. Download the organizing kit, which includes fliers, sample press release, and info sheets: http://www.CourageToResist.org


Thank you for your kind consideration.