| Veterans Call to Conscience Press Release: Veterans Speakers Bureau |
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Immediate Release**For Immediate Release**For Immediate Release**** Date: March 1st,2003 Contact: Terri Allred Seattle, Washington calltoconscience@yahoo.com (206) 909-0481 Speakers Available for Interview Military Veterans call upon the Troops to "Do the Right Thing"
Veterans Call to Conscience to Active Duty Troops & Reservists
Over 700 ex-military from WWII veterans to Active Duty Troops have signed a statement of conscience calling upon troops to "follow their conscience" and "do the right thing" stating that they will support their actions. The statement reads in part: "If the people of the world are ever to be free, there must come a time when being a citizen of the world takes precedence over being the soldier of a nation." Thousands of copies of the statement have gotten into the hands of deploying troops, here in the US and throughout Europe. The statement has been endorsed by prominents like: Howard Zinn, Father Roy Bourgeoisie, Daniel Ellsberg, Michael Moore, Ron Kovic and others. 20% of the signers are Gulf War Veterans. Many signers are active duty and include several locked up for filing for CO status. The statement has been translated into Turkish, Farsi, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Danish and Malay. Signers include Gulf war veterans from England and Scotland and members of the Israeli IDF. The statement has made its way onto many US
bases and has been leafleted to troops in Germany and in Belgium. The Call to Conscience has established a Speakers Bureau. The bureau features veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam as well as the first active duty marine to refuse deployment to the Gulf in 1991. Many speakers filed for Conscientious Objector status during the Vietnam and Gulf War. Several spent many months in Leavenworth military prison for their opposition to war. Speakers are Black, Asian, native and women. Speakers range from an important religious leader, prominent peoples historian Howard Zinn, revolutionary leader Carl Dix and many leading veterans from Veterans for Peace and in Vietnam Veterans Against the War Anti-Imperialist. One speaker is situated in the country of Turkey and can offer a unique perspective on the arriving US troops. Another speaker has a total of 27 years of service with numerous citations. A list of available speakers is attached. To interview signers please email: calltoconscience@yahoo.com or call (206) 909-0481 Veterans Call to Conscience Speakers Bureau |