A NEW CALL TO RESIST ILLEGAL WAR AND ILLEGITIMATE AUTHORITY
By Courage to Resist.
July 3, 2014

Courage to Resist calls on all U.S. military personnel to resist any effort to pursue a new military attack on Iraq via troops, bombs, drones or any other means. In keeping with our Mission Statement, we affirm that, just as there was never any legitimate reason for the United States to send military forces to Iraq in the past, there is not now any reason for the United States to participate militarily in the affairs of the people of Iraq. The refugees being created every day by the wars in Iraq need humanitarian aid. The solution to the problems in Iraq lies in the nations and parties involved talking it out.

The U.S. destroyed Iraq. Sending U.S. troops and/or weapons again cannot improve the situation. It can only cause more unnecessary death and destruction. Troops, bullets, bombs, mines, and other weapons will continue to kill, maim, and breed hatred in the people of Iraq. More warfare cannot do anything positive for the men, women, and children of Iraq.

"Today the US is sending a few hundred military advisers, backed by an additional group of mercenaries, to prop up the Iraqi regime. Some of these individuals may well be the last US service members to die for the Iraq War lie, to paraphrase John Kerry regarding the end of the Vietnam War. What happens if the neo cons have their way and the US “surges” back into Iraq to save the al-Maliki government? Courage to Resist wants service members to know that they have options, including doing the right thing--resistance.

-Jeff Paterson
Courage to Resist
Project Director
July 3, 2014

Every U.S. service person has a conscience. Every member of every branch of the U.S. military service is bound to obey that conscience, and the oath s/he took to defend the Constitution of the United States of America. The Constitution binds the U.S. to honor its international agreements. All U.S. presidents in this century have broken the law of the land as well as international laws and treaties with the illegal use of war powers. Sending U.S. troops to Iraq was, and would be again, in violation of numerous international laws and treaties as well as a violation of U.S. war-making powers. And it certainly would not be in defense of the United States. U.S. citizens do not support a return of the U.S. military to Iraq.

Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airperson, you are strong enough to resist illegal and immoral war. We’d be honored to support your refusal to deploy to Iraq. U.S. troops are not the cops of the world. There is no legitimate mission for you or any U.S. service members in Iraq. Don’t be fooled by more lies from the President, the Congress, the media or anyone else.

Courage to Resist exists to support service members who resist illegal and immoral war and occupation. Since 2006, Courage to Resist has provided moral and material support to GI objectors, including legal aid when needed.

Military service members we have had the honor of collaborating with include: Army Lt. Ehren Watada, the first military officer to articulate the illegal nature of the Iraq War and refuse orders to deploy, Marine L/Cpl Stephen Funk, the first military service member to publicly refuse to deploy, and scores of service members who have formally applied for discharge as Conscientious Objectors.

Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Airpersons who have taken refuge in Canada, and have publicly fought for the right to remain there. We’ve also supported those who have returned to the U.S. to face U.S. military injustice. Nearly 50 service members who have required assistance with legal fees, and related support, for fighting military court-martials for having gone AWOL/UA. Hundreds of Individual Ready Reservists (IRR) who have refused involuntary activations.

Refuse illegitimate authority. Have the Courage to Resist illegal war. We support the troops who refuse to fight!

Mission Statement

COURAGE TO RESIST is a group of concerned community members, veterans and military families that supports military objectors to illegal war and occupation and the policies of empire. Our People Power strategy weakens the pillars that maintain war and occupation in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere by supporting GI resistance, counter-recruitment and draft resistance, which cuts off the supply of troops. We are autonomous from and independent of any political organization, party or group.