Courage to Resist Discussion and Film Night

Courage to Resist is a grassroots group of concerned community members, veterans, and military families who provide political, emotional, and material support to military objectors and war-resisters critical of our government's current military policies.

We will be sharing information about current war-resisters, the work of Oakland-based Courage to Resist, and discussing war-resisting efforts and strategies. We will be joined by long-time war-resister and program director of Courage to Resist Jeff Paterson. In addition, a few Bay-Area vets who are now part of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) will also share their experiences and perspectives with us. It is also possible that Robin Long (who was recently released from a year in military prison for refusing to fight in Iraq) or another war-resister will be stopping by or calling in. For those who want to stay we will be showing the great film Sir! No, Sir!, a classic Vietnam-war era documentary on the war-resistance movement within the military, followed by discussion.

Because this is also a fund-raising event, there will be donation envelopes and a Raffle at the door for those who want to or are able to participate. The winner will get the DVD of Sir! No, Sir! and a Courage to Resist T-Shirt. And all who come will get Courage to Resist buttons, stickers, and information cards until we run out. All funds raised will go to help with legal defense of war-resisters and Courage to Resist’s on-going efforts. Donations are tax-deductible.

In the past few years, tens of thousands of service members have resisted illegal war and occupation in a number of different ways. They have risked their freedom and more to oppose the wars and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan and need our support and advocacy.

“General, your tank is a mighty vehicle.
It shatters the forest and crushes a hundred men.
But it has one defect:
It needs drivers.

General, a man is quite expendable.
He can fly and he can kill.
But he has one defect:
He can think.”--Bertolt Brecht

We will be enjoying homemade snacks such as quinoa-black bean-chipotle salad. Come and bring your friends who are interested in resisting or learning more about on-going militarism. Please RSVP by Saturday, August 1 so we know how many to expect.