Oakland Shuts Down Recruiting Center in Support for GI Resister Kevin Benderman

The power of speaking out was proven again Thursday afternoon when about three dozen peace activists gathered at the Oakland recruiting station to honor Kevin Benderman. Kevin has refused to return to a second tour of duty in Iraq. The recruiters had closed the center when they found out that we would be there

At his court martial on Thursday two specious charges -- desertion and larceny -- were dropped. He was found guilty of missing a movement. The sentence of 15 months in the brig was the heaviest given to a military resister. Kevin has been very outspoken about his experiences in Iraq and why they made him a conscientious objector. You can read his own, very moving, words at his website http://www.bendermandefense.org.

We, the Peace activists, were surprised to find that the recruiters had closed the center on finding that there would be a demonstration there. The Oakland Police Department showed up, however, with several cop cars on the corner across the street and a bicycle policemen nearby.

The event included wonderful spoken word performance as well as statements by Conscientious Objectors and others.

Code Pink vigils at this recruiting station every Wednesday from 5:15 to 6:15pm Join us. Let's shut them all down

Photos of the Oakland event are at http://www.jackiet.us.