Lt. Watada

Link to Lt. Watada’s speech to VFP; the text and a video of his presentation can be found at: 

www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081406A.shtml

Those of us fortunate enough to have attended the VFP convention last month were deeply moved by Lt. Watada’s courageous and inspiring remarks, but apparently the Army was threatened, and has charged him with yet another count of “…conduct unbecoming an officer.” (see AP article directly below).  If this proceeds to court martial, he will need not only our best wishes, but also our financial support.    The message at the bottom is from the Lt.’s web site: www.thankyoult.org

 

Peace, 

 

~Phil

 

    Fort Lewis War Objector Faces New Charge
    The Associated Press

    Saturday 16 September 2006

    Fort Lewis, Washington - The Army added another charge against a lieutenant who refused to serve in Iraq because he believes the war is illegal, but did not say if the case will proceed to a court martial.

    The new charge is based on Lt. Ehren Watada's remarks to the national convention of Veterans for Peace, held in Seattle last month, Army spokesman Joe Piek said Friday.

    At the veterans gathering, Watada said that "to stop an illegal and unjust war, soldiers can choose to stop fighting it," according to a support group, Friends and Family of Lt. Watada.

    Watada, 28, of Honolulu, Hawaii, refused to deploy on June 22 with his Fort Lewis-based unit. He already was charged with missing troop movement, conduct unbecoming an officer and contempt toward officials, including using "contemptuous words" against President Bush in media interviews.

    Conviction on all charges could bring a maximum of seven years in prison, Piek said.

    The Fort Lewis commander, Lt. Gen. James Dubik, will decide whether the case proceeds to court martial, Piek said. Last month, investigating officer Lt. Col. Mark Keith recommended that Watada be court-martialed.

    "The Army's unwillingness thus far to seek any reasonable solution or outcome of this situation certainly has placed Lt. Watada into a position where he has little or no choice but to vigorously defend himself against charges that we submit are extravagant and unjustified," Eric Seitz, Watada's civilian defense attorney, wrote in a rebuttal submitted to the military court in August.

 

Urgent Action - Tell Fort Lewis: “No court martial!”

 

Updated Sept. 15, 2006 - The future of Lt. Watada’s court-martial is now in Fort Lewis General’s hands. Your phone calls and letters today could make a difference. Forward this urgent action alert to friends.

On August 17, U.S. Army First Lieutenant Ehren Watada succeeded in placing the war on trial during an Article 32 pre-trial hearing in a military courtroom at Fort Lewis, Washington. The investigating officer recommended that Lt. Watada be referred to a general court martial on all charges – including five charges for political speech. On Sept. 15, an additional charge of speech crime was added as the Army moves to escalate it's efforts to silence Lt. Watada.

Fort Lewis’ Commanding General, Lieutenant General James Dubik makes the final decision on whether to proceed to court-martial on any or all charges. Take a moment today to phone and write Lt. Gen. James Dubik and respectfully request “no court martial for Lt. Watada.”

Use your own words, but a suggested message would be: 

Along with tens of thousands, I support Lt. Ehren Watada’s right to refuse an illegal war. I ask that you not bring court martial proceedings against him. If there is a court-martial, I look forward to visiting Ft. Lewis and letting you know how I feel in person.

Mail to: 

Commanding General
Fort Lewis and I Corps
Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik
Bldg 2025 Stop 1
Fort Lewis WA 98433

Lt. Gen. Dubik can be reached via his aide at 253-967-0022, and/or call the Ft. Lewis switchboard at 253-967-1110. We are aware that these numbers often refer "Lt. Watada's supporters" to the Fort Lewis Public Affairs Office at 206-967-7166.

When writing, please consider a handwritten letter on stationary (if available) posted via express or priority mail for additional impact and timely delivery. We expect that Lt. Gen. Dubik will soon issue his decision, but there is no required timeline. Do not delay and take action today. The contact address and phone numbers for Lt. Gen. Dubik may change over the course of this action alert, so check www.ThankYouLt.org for these and other updates.