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Advocating for the Rights of Conscientious Objectors in the Military |
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Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Place: Church of the Brethren As part of "Operation Refuse War," the International CO Conference and International CO Day celebrations, people of conscience will speak out to make their voices heard in the halls of Congress for the rights of conscientious objectors in the military. On May 16th, 2006 the Center on Conscience & War along with the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund is holding a national lobby day to protect the rights of conscientious objectors to war and to educate Congress about conscientious objection. Participants will meet in Washington and others will lobby locally at their Congress members’ district office. A law to protect the rights of conscientious objectors (CO) in the military is needed. With no end in sight to the brutal wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places around the globe the number of COs in the military is increasing. The GI Rights Hotline has experienced a sharp increase in the number of calls from those seeking a CO discharge. The current military policy for COs is not working: they face harassment, they are forced to violate their beliefs and they are denied CO status for arbitrary reasons. A law passed by Congress is needed to fix the broken system and to put specific procedures in place for the CO discharge process. May 16th will be a day for voters to make their voices heard for the proposed bill, the Military CO Act.
Come and lobby in Washington, DC or lobby your member of Congress at their local office near your home. Click here for information on the Military CO Act |
