Iraq War veteran Jason Moon
Speaks at MATC
September 20, 2007
Our event for Iraq War veteran Jason Moon
on Sept. 20 at MATC was a huge success! The room was packed
-- we had a standing-room-only crowd of almost 100. In addition
to students and faculty, there was also community and labor
participation, including three members of SEIU Local 1.
The event kicked off the Iraq Moratorium,
a nationally coordinated campaign aimed at mobilizing the
overwhelming 70% sentiment in this country to end the war
and bring the troops home.
Jason Moon, a 10-year veteran of the National
Guard, served a year in Iraq with the 724th Combat Engineer
Battalion in 2003-04. He was introduced by faculty member
Aimee Davis, who is also an Iraq vet. Jason had doubts about
the war from the start, and struggled with the decision
of whether to become a conscientious objector. In the end,
he chose to serve, thinking that he could do more for the
antiwar movement as a witness.
And a powerful witness he turned out to
be. Jason told the story of the commanding officer who ordered
his convoy: "Do not stop, do not swerve, do not slow
down." When Jason asked what to do if there were Iraqi
civilians in the road, the commander repeated: "Do
not stop, do not swerve, do not slow down."
When Jason asked if that meant they should
run over children, the officer repeated the order. Jason
decided he couldn't do that, and because he questioned the
order, was given the most dangerous position -- last vehicle
in the convoy -- where he was exposed to the heaviest enemy
fire.
Why is it, Jason asked, that in this
country it's against the law to harm children, but that
in Iraq, it's official U.S. policy?
Jason defied his orders and made friends
with the children he met. But he came to realize that his
good intentions actually put the children and himself in
great danger. He is haunted by that realization.
Since his return, Jason has actively
spoken out, and recently joined Iraq Veterans Against the
War. He supports the Iraq Moratorium, also endorsed by Local
212, and encouraged students to take part.
On the third Friday of every month, all
those who oppose the war are asked to take an action close
to home:
- Wear and distribute black armbands
- Organize a lunchtime vigil or rally
at your workplace, school, or college
- Join a discussion or public forum
about the war
- Call, write, or visit your Senator
or Representative
- Attend a vigil or protest rally after
work
October Moratorium activities at MATC
will include film showings and other events. Stay tuned
for more details.
Saturday, October 27th, in Chicago, is
the Midwest Rally and March to Stop the War -- one of 12
regional mobilizations across the country. Local 212 and
U.S. Labor Against the War are endorsing the march and working
with labor and community groups to organize a big contingent.
Bus tickets are available from Peace Action-WI at 414-964-5158.
For those who missed the MATC event, Jason
Moon is available to speak to classes. He is especially
interested in countering the propaganda and false promises
made by military recruiters.
Thanks so much
to Jason Moon for coming to MATC and telling your story.
And thanks to all who brought their classes and encouraged
their students to take an active role in the debate about
the war.
Sue Ruggles
AFT Local 212
U.S. Labor Against the War
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