Urgent Support Needed

HI,
Here is an update on my case, I am doing fine and I thank you for any support you can provide or have provided already. Feel free to post any or all of this information online or in letters to your local papers. I have also been giving interviews when it is possible. If they think that because I am a pacifist that I will be giving up they are sorely mistaken. I am clearly being punished because I excercised my 1st Amendment rights, if that's the case I will excercise them until they are taken away.
Stephen Funk.

CO Stephen Funk charged with desertion, Help Needed

Dear friends,

Below is the latest information about Stephen Funk, the young man who applied for Conscientious Objector status in San Jose, California, on April 1 of this year. I was there when he turned himself in and had a chance to meet him.

He has been sent to New Orleans where he is being charged with desertion.

What I am sending is excerpts from an early appeal from Stephen's lawyer, and a subsequent letter asking for support from Stephen's family and friends.

I hope you can send something to help with his legal defense. Please, also forward this letter. And if anyone has contacts in New Orleans who can help form a local support group, please get in touch with the Stephen Funk Legal Defense Fund directly and help get it started.

Thanks,
Carolyn Scarr
May 26, 2003

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Marine Reservist and Conscientious Objector Stephen Funk, who declared his CO status publicly on April 1, is being charges with desertion under Art. 85 of the UCMJ. Funk was only UA for 47 days and told his command in advance that he would not be appearing for duty, would prepare his CO application, and turn himself in when completed. The Marines are nevertheless charging him with shirking important duty.

Stephen Funk is stationed at a New Orleans Marine Base with other Marine CO's. Those wishing to help in his legal defense with donations can send a check to the Stephen Funk Legal Defense Fund, 1230 Market Street, # 111, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Stephen Collier
415-771-9850
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Stephen Funk Legal Defense Fund
1230 Market Street, Box 111, San Francisco, CA 94102

May, 2003

Dear Family and Friends:

We are writing to request your financial support for Stephen Funk, a courageous young man who stood up to the United States military and said: I will not participate in your war in Iraq, I am a Conscientious Objector to war.

As you may know by now, Stephen reported for duty with an application for discharge on April 1, publicly declaring his conscientious objection to war. On April 22, he was sent to the Fourth Force Service Support Base in New

Orleans, Louisiana--away from family, friends, legal team, and supporters. He was placed in a unit of nearly twenty Marine Corps Conscientious Objectors who are all waiting for discharge hearings or court martial proceedings.

On May 2, the Marine Corps filed Desertion charges against Stephen, claiming that he "shirked important duty." And on May 13 the Marine Corps initiated investigative hearings to determine the validity of Stephen's Conscientious Objector beliefs.

Stephen needs the assistance of a good civilian lawyer. He needs an attorney who is not beholden to the United States military. He needs to be represented by someone who knows military law and who will go toe to toe with military officials to defend Stephen's rights.

Stephen has hired Stephen Collier, a San Francisco attorney well versed in military law and Gay civil rights, to represent Stephen Funk during his court hearings. There will be legal costs associated with representation, which is why I am asking you to make a contribution of $100 or more to the Stephen Funk Legal Defense Fund.

Stephen Funk is a family member. He is a friend. He is a Conscientious Objector. He deserves an Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps. Stephen Funk must not serve months or years in a military prison for his act of conscience.

Please make your contribution of $100 or more today to the Stephen Funk Legal Defense Fund, 1230 Market Street, Box 111, San Francisco, CA 94102. A contribution of any amount will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much!


Sincerely,

Gloria Pacis, Stephen's Mother
Caitlin Funk, Stephen's Sister
Steve Collier, Stephen's Attorney
Aimee Allison, Gulf War Objector 1991
Erik Larsen, AFSME Union Member
Aaron Baluyot, Businessman
Jennifer Touchton, Sunnyhills United Methodist Church