[via omjp]

Anti-War Panel featuring the Aguayos and other local Iraq vets

This event is a fund-raiser for the Aguayos' extensive legal fees. The event is free and open to the public but donations will be accepted. If you can't attend but want to help them out, you can donate at www.couragetoresist.org.

Agustin Aguayo, a 35-year-old Army medic and conscientious objector, was convicted of desertion and missing movement March 6, 2007 in a US military court in Germany. Although he faced a maximum of seven years in prison, Agustin was sentenced to eight months in the brig for following his conscience and refusing to participate in war. He had been imprisoned pending trial since September and was released from the brig on April 18, 2007.

In a recent interview Aguayo said "Before I left for Iraq I searched deep within me, I concluded that if I go over there I can't take a life. I ultimately say I'll go, but I'm definitely a conscientious objector. I'm not willing to cross that line, no matter what I can't take a life." Based on these sentiments, Agustin Aguayo filed for Conscientious Objector status after he enlisted, but was deployed to Iraq for a year while his application was processed. He served as a combat medic with the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment in Tikrit, Iraq-all the while refusing to load his weapon though he was assigned combat patrol duties. His medical platoon leader later testified that "Everything we asked Aguayo to do besides carry a weapon he did without question and did it well." Aguayo notes, "My experiences in Iraq made my convictions stronger...In the end I felt that I had to listen to my conscience...I sincerely believe that I am a conscientious objector. My life reflects it. It's what I've become at the very core of myself."

Despite initial favorable reviews of his application by Army interviewers, his application for CO status was later denied. In November 2005, Agustín filed an appeal in federal court challenging that denial. While his appeal was pending, he was then ordered to redeploy to Iraq in September 2006. He refused to go. He was subsequently court martialed and sentenced to eight months in military prison. He was released on April 18th and is now sharing his story of resistance with others.

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Nearly three years ago, Agustin applied for a conscientious objector discharge from the Army and later served a full one year in Iraq, all the while refusing to load his weapon. The Army insisted he serve again in a combat zone and was eventually forced to go AWOL. During this time Agustin's wife Helga, mother Susana, and his two 11-year-old daughters Raquel and Rebecca led a grassroots campaign for freedom and justice for him and all GI war resisters.

This is part of a regional tour and the Olympia sponsors are Veterans for Peace (VFP) Rachel Corrie Chapter 109 and the Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace (OMJP). For more information call 360-280-6198.

Partial list of Endorsers of NW Tour: Veterans for Peace (VFP), Chapter 92; Troops Home Now Coalition; Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation (WWFOR); Iraq Vets Against the War (IVAW); American Friends Service Committee (AFSC); Seattle Draft and Military Counseling Center (SDMCC); Abe Keller Peace Education Fund , Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq (INOC), Sound Nonviolent Opponent of War (SNOW), Nonviolent Action Community of Cascadia (NACC), International Socialist Organization (ISO), Washington State Physicians for Social Responsibility (WPSR), West Seattle Neighbors for Peace, Courage to Resist

For info about other stops on the July 9-17th, NW tour, to obtain more information on Agustin Aguayo and other resisters or to make an online donation: see www.couragetoresist.org.