RE: IVAW member hassled by Marines, needs support - REPOST!

----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: Pamela's Protest
Date: May 23, 2007 7:16 PM


IVAW member hassled by Marines, needs support - REPOST!
----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: Ukrainian Existentialism
Date: May 23, 2007 4:08 PM


From Student Peace Action Network
Democrats Sell Out to BUSH
Sinchi Runa (enemy of tyrannical regimes)



Please spread far and wide! These guys NEED your support~

Thanks to:
Mudd(R-PA)
&Ma Justice
&§ Lori §
& RegimeChanger
& Lisa
& jeri

This came in today from Kelly Dougherty of IVAW. Included is a letter from Adam Kokesh from his blog, to look at the documents he mentions, please visit his blog at http://kokesh.blogspot.com/

Dear IVAW Supporter,

I am writing to let you know about an urgent issue that is affecting several of our IVAW members. Adam Kokesh and Liam Madden are both very active members and former Marines. Because of their outspoken opposition to the war, the Marine Corps is threatening to revoke their honorable discharges and change them to other than honorable. We cannot allow this suppression of free speech to occur! Adam and Liam need our help to pay for legal defense and travel to their hearings. Adam just found out his hearing is in Kansas City on June 4th, less than two weeks away!

Attached below is a letter from Adam, describing his situation and asking for your help. Besides financial contributions, we also need people who are in the Kansas City area to gather support for Adam before his June 4th hearing. Please contact me at Kelly@ivaw.org if you are in the area and would like to find out how you can help. I will keep you updated on both Adam and Liam's cases as they unfold.

Thank you so much for your time and support, it really means everything to our veterans who dare to speak the truth.

In Peace,

Kelly Dougherty

Former Sergeant Army National Guard

Executive Director

Iraq Veterans Against the War

Outspoken Iraq vet Adam Kokesh being arrested at the Hart Senate Office building in Washington, DC while protesting the Senate vote that continued funding for the Iraq War.

Liam Madden is one of the initiators of the Appeal for Redress, a legal means for active duty service members to oppose the war in Iraq. Since leaving the Marines in January 2007, Liam has been active and outspoken as an IVAW member.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Legal Defense Fund for Adam Kokesh

May 22, 2007

Dear Friend of Iraq Veterans Against the War,

My name is Adam Kokesh and I need your help. Because of my involvement in IVAW, I have been singled out and called for a military hearing to be made an example of for those of us who have spoken out against the war. I have been an active member of IVAW for a mere four months, but have already garnered enough attention to be perceived as a threat by those using our military to maintain political support for the occupation of Iraq.

Because my second activation as a reservist extended past my six-year obligation, I am only in the Inactive Ready Reserve from my honorable discharge from active duty last November to June 18^th. After my discharge, I moved to Washington, DC to get a Master's in Political Management at GWU, and joined IVAW. I have since appeared on behalf of IVAW speaking at concerts, universities, and high schools. I have written about my views on the occupation and my military experience for the IVAW website and on my blog.

Most notably, I participated in Operation First Casualty on March 19th. This was a mock combat patrol through Washington, DC in order to bring home the truth of the occupation of Iraq, because the first casualty of war is the truth. I appeared in my uniform, without my name, without rank, and without the patch that says US MARINES. I received an email of warning about possible violations of the UCMJ for appearing in uniform at a political event. Instead of ignoring it like everyone I know who has received similar emails, I wrote a strongly worded reply admonishing the Major who was "investigating" me for wasting time on such trivial matters. The text of that email is posted here.

I soon received a package from the Marine Corps informing me of a separation hearing to re-separate me with an Other Than Honorable Discharge. A scan of the complete package can be seen below. I have sought private counsel for this hearing, as is my right. I intend to bring as many witnesses as possible to testify to both the character of my service and the nature of my involvement with IVAW. The Marine Corps only made it known to us today that the hearing will be held on June 4, in a mere 13 days. They have also decided to activate me for the hearing and hold it in Kansas City, home of the Marine Corps Mobilization Command.

This case is important because the intimidation of servicemen who speak out will suppress the truth about Iraq. With the help of IVAW, I intend to fight this to the end and stand up for the rights of all members of our armed forces. Please support this effort by mailing a check made out to IVAW with "Adam Kokesh Legal Defense Fund" in the memo to PO Box 8296, Philadelphia, PA 19101 or by going here, clicking on "Donate Now" and including "Adam Kokesh Legal Defense Fund" in the Special Project Support window. Please feel free to email me with any questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Adam Kokesh

adam@ivaw.org