[Letters] For US soldiers, an honorable alternative to desertion
The Christian Science Monitor -- December 27, 2004
Anita Cole, one of CCW's at-large board members, responds to an article that gives the impression that fewer soldiers develop personal opposition to the war than the actual number. She goes on to emphasize the existence and importance of the option of applying for a conscientious objector discharge corresponding to a freedom that Americans have fought hard for--freedom of conscience.

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Conscientious Objection and the War in Iraq
The Witness Magazine -- December 22, 2004
Bill Galvin, Counseling Coordinator at CCW, shares what he has heard firsthand from conscientious objectors in the military and those reaching draft age. Other peace and/or church groups are branching out into the areas of GI rights and draft counseling. The article focuses on how peace and youth programs of the Episcopalian church are trying to spread awareness of issues of war and peace among young people. The stories of an Episcopalian CO and others are included.

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Maine Things Considered (12/3/04, 5:30-6:00)
Maine Public Radio -- December 3, 2004
A segment within the second half of the show focuses on a Maine conscientious objector who served in Afghanistan. He was one of many young people who fall victim to the glamorous advertisements of the U.S. military, thinking that he could experience adventures while helping people in other parts of the world. In Afghanistan, he discovered first-hand the military's true and much more sinister effects on people. Although Army spokespeople insist that the increasing number of CO applications are still only from a tiny percentage of troops, J.E. McNeil of CCW states that the office receives calls from COs in various military positions every day.

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U.S. Soldiers Seek Asylum in Canada
Inter Press Service -- December 2, 2004
This is a telling time for U.S. soldiers who have fled or are considering fleeing to Canada rather than fight in the U.S. military. Jeremy Hinzman, a conscientious objector, will find out by February 2005 whether Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board will grant him asylum. If the Board concludes that Hinzman is in need of protection or fits the U.N. definition of a refugee, he would be able to remain in Canada. If the Board ultimately rules against him, according to Bill Galvin of CCW, he would be in a tough position. Not only has he spoken out publicly against the U.S. military, but he could be charged with desertion. If the Canadian government does, however, decide to welcome foreign soldiers again, that would mean risking already fragile ties with their powerful trading partner and neighbor, the U.S.

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Meet the New COs
The Progressive -- December 2004
Conscientious objectors such as Jeremy Hinzman detail their personal experiences during and after military life, and what led them to fully realize their beliefs that the Iraq War and/or all war is wrong. Hinzman, like many soldiers, went AWOL only after trying to get honorably discharged through a long and difficult conscientious objection application process. When the Army denied his claim based on their misunderstood and stereotyped image of what conscientious objection is, he felt he had no other choice but to start a new life in Canada rather than be redeployed. Two other former soldiers (who never even knew applying for CO status was an option) also fled their country rather than fight for something they did not believe in. Although obtaining legal status in Canada is a struggle due to tougher immigration laws since the Vietnam War, these men of conscience are all supported by their determined attorney and many Canadian peace communities.

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Breaking Ranks
Mother Jones -- November/December 2004
Veterans' perspectives on the current war are explored--from those of current AWOL soldiers to formerly gung-ho soldiers who now publicly oppose the war. Mike Hoffman, co-founder of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), still grapples today with his participation in the war. He feels that it is his duty to spread the truth about what's actually going on overseas and to support soldiers who are beginning to question the true motives of U.S. involvement. Brandon Hughey and Dave Sanders fled to Canada rather than fight what they consider to be an unjust and illegal war. They are both awaiting decisions on their applications for refugee status.

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Selective Memories: Becoming A Conscientious Objector Takes Planning and Documentation
Wisconsin State Journal -- November 28, 2004
Wisconsin conscientious objectors from World War II, the Vietnam War, and the first Iraq War are interviewed on their beliefs and their experiences in alternative service. Many COs are happy to perform (often challenging or dangerous) alternative service to show that they are just as patriotic and willing to serve their country as those in the military. Although those quoted happen to base their beliefs upon their Quaker or Brethren faiths, the U.S. government has recognized since 1970 that one can be opposed to all war purely based on moral and/or ethical values. Although not all draft counselors believe there will be a draft in the near future, J.E. McNeil of CCW--who trains draft counselors around the U.S.--believes that, based on the overcommitment of troops across the globe, a military draft is likely. Nevertheless, the current administration and Selective Service officials deny any plans to reinstate the draft.

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Expert teaches legal objections to draft
The Press of Atlantic City -- November 22, 2004
J.E. McNeil, the Center's Executive Director, spoke to a Unitarian Universalist congregation in New Jersey about the possibility of a military draft in the near future. She stresses the importance of young men and women documenting their conscientious objection beliefs early, even though it is not possible to register as a CO. She also mentions that moving to Canada is in most cases not an option.

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Students get heated over draft lecture
The Villanovan -- November 12, 2004
J.E. McNeil, CCW's Executive Director, gives a lecture to students on the possibilities of a military draft reinstatement and how to document their conscientious objection beliefs. She also speaks out against particular wars and war in general. A few ROTC students in attendance who disagree with her beliefs touch a sensitive spot.

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Episode 9: War is Peace
Free Speech TV -- Week of October 24, 2004
SourceCode, a new weekly current affairs series, offers a fresh and independent perspective on the current sentiment regarding the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the United States. Past and present U.S. soldiers speak out about the war and U.S. military policy. In the second part of the show, Verna Avery Brown of Pacifica Radio interviews Rep. Charles Rangel on the subjects of the draft and troop retention (or lack thereof) and Bill Galvin, Counseling Coordinator at the Center, on conscientious objection.

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US soldiers battle their consciences
Al-Jazeera.net -- September 16, 2004
The cases of three conscientious objectors, formerly U.S. soldiers, are highlighted in this article. The three men refused to continue to participate in the military for slightly different reasons; all of them refused to obey deployment orders. One of them objects to the current war in Iraq, and the other two have realized that they object to their participation in all wars. Unfortunately, at least half of all CO applications are denied because the military has a very limited definition of what constitutes CO beliefs. Although the military statistics for numbers of COs have been increasing in recent years, the numbers do not accurately reflect the true number of COs who were or are in the military.

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'No Way in Hell': Former New Mexico National Guard soldier refuses to serve in Iraq
Rio Grande Sun -- September 16, 2004
Petra Salazar has nothing personal against the U.S. military. She joined the National Guard when she was still in high school for the usual reasons--mainly for college money and certain skills. She was politically conscious from the beginning, however, and as the war in Iraq dragged on in 2003 she began to anticipate the activation of her unit. By the time her unit was activated, she had decided that her beliefs were such that she could not bring herself to fight a war she did not believe was just. She is one of the few National Guard soldiers to be discharged since the start of the war. She was discharged honorably, as a conscientious objector.

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The Draft??
KRCL FM-Salt Lake City -- August 30, 2004
J.E. is interviewed live on "Radio Active", one of Utah public radio station's daily shows. During the course of an hour, J.E. answers questions from draft registration to draft scenarios to conscientious objectors in the military to the history of conscientious objection. In the second half of the show, the phone lines open up to the general public. Callers ask questions that CCW staff are accustomed to answering on a weekly basis.

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Just Deserters?
LA Weekly -- August 25-September 2, 2004
It should come as no surprise that U.S. troop morale in Iraq is sinking lower and lower. More and more soldiers are starting to wonder what they are doing there and if their mission is at all related to protecting their country. As some members of the Armed Forces complete their tours of duty or get ready for deployment, they realize that they feel disillusioned. Many who have been called up to go to Iraq for the first or second time have instead gone AWOL. A few have even fled to Canada, with charges of desertion hanging over them. Although it means being separated from their families indefinitely, they would rather deal with that than go against their own conscience by killing in a war they don't believe in.

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Pro Bono - A Special Report: Matters of Conscience*
Legal Times -- Week of August 2, 2004
Yet another conscientious objector in the military seeks CCW's help with her CO claim that should result in an honorable discharge. She had realized that her assumption that the military had peace as one of its goals was far from the truth. Despite her sincerity, her application was later denied--as is often the case within militaries that give COs an especially hard time. She has since filed a habeus petition through an attorney referred by CCW. Many others in the U.S. "volunteer" military are also having difficulty coping with staying in after being given stop-loss orders to serve longer than they had planned. Whatever rights one may have in the military could be taken away at any moment, without warning or explanation. Two attorneys quoted in the article offer their services pro bono to COs and other military members.

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Bearing witness for peace is life's work
Arbutus Times -- Week of June 23, 2004
Bill Galvin makes the news upon return from his trip to Colombia in a Maryland paper of the town in which he grew up. A longtime member of the Presbyterian Church, he plays a major role in its "Witness for Peace" group. While in Colombia, he met with various people from the peace, labor union, and diplomatic communities to discuss violence and alternatives to violence. Galvin was aware of the risks he would be facing and came close to danger on two different occasions.

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(The Ben Merens Show)
Wisconsin Public Radio -- June 14, 2004
Bill Galvin is interviewed live by Ben Merens of WPR. He answers questions involving the conscientious objection definition and application process, the moral dilemmas and treatment that COs face, and the decisions they have to make. A number of callers also bring up other issues with various questions regarding the numbers of COs during wartime, alternative service, recruitment issues, "just war", and church positions on the current war.

Listen to the recording. Click here (enter June 14 and then scroll down to the 3:00 program)

Citing 'rumors', Washington Office, others plan lobbying effort against military draft
The Layman Online -- May 4, 2004
As CCW and other co-sponsoring organizations prepare for the upcoming Lobby Day against the draft, a statement is sent out from the Presbyterian Church Washington office. This statement mentions that many Congress members and their staff need to be educated on CO issues. It also mentions that the U.S. administration has been polling republican Congress members on the idea of reinstating the draft.

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MCC, other groups to voice opposition to military draft
Mennonite Weekly Review -- April 26, 2004
David Whettstone, of the MCC Washington office, explains what the annual Lobby Day against the draft (May 14) is about. He goes on to explain why the draft bills introduced by Rep. Rangel and Sen. Hollings are even worse for conscientious objectors than current draft legislation. On April 22, CCW sent out an action alert following Sen. Hagel's pro-draft remarks. J.E. McNeil is convinced that Sen. Hagel was testing public and congressional reaction.

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Overextended military needs bodies; Is there a draft in the plans?
National Catholic Reporter -- April 14, 2004
Since the U.S. military might now plays such a major role in U.S. foreign policy, its troops are being over extended across the globe. The Army's stop-loss policy and lower enlistment rates only exacerbate this problem. Peace groups based in Washington, D.C. are preparing for their annual Lobby Day against the draft on May 14; CCW is in charge of organizing the day. There has been some talk of a draft among both parties in Congress, but Rumsfeld insists that there is no need for one at this time. J.E. McNeil concurs that we should not expect to see a draft reinstated in the very near future, but that we should be prepared in advance.

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The Burden of Conscience
AlterNet -- March 24, 2004
The debate over the Iraq War is further complicated by those in the military who are coming to realize their conscientious objector beliefs. One of these COs is Camilo Mejia, who refused to return to Iraq to fight and instead went AWOL. Although the Pentagon's statistics on COs can be misleading, more and more service members are considering conscientious objection, other discharges, or going AWOL while their CO applications are still pending. The stop-loss orders that the Army issued last November, the horrors of the war itself, and military suicides/depression are not adding to the military's reputation. J.E. McNeil is among those interviewed.

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Soldier Seeks Conscientious Exemption from Iraq
National Public Radio -- March 18, 2004
Recent violence in Iraq is making the war increasingly unpopular among civilians as well as military personnel. Outspoken conscientious objector Camilo Mejia currently awaits the military's decision on his case. His attorney, Louis Font, and CCW's Bill Galvin answer questions regarding how a soldier's CO beliefs crystallize, CO discharge procedures, and the racial make-up of the military. There is also an excerpt from an anonymous soldier awaiting his CO discharge about the doubts he struggled with when in Iraq.

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Can an Army Volunteer Be a CO?
NPR/MSN -- March 17, 2004
Those who have signed up to join the Armed Forces can have changes of heart, as well. This often happens during basic training when a soldier realizes that the military is not what he/she had expected. It can also happen when a soldier is deployed and faced with difficult, morally challenging situations. For Camilo Mejia, the realization was clear by the time he was on leave from Iraq in October; he was AWOL until he turned himself in this month.

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Conscientious objector educates Webster
The Journal (Webster University) -- March 3, 2004
Bill Galvin gave a lecture and led a discussion at Webster University on February 27, 2004. He focused on the history and definitions of conscientious objection in the U.S. and how the subject ties into the current occupation of Iraq. He also explained to the students how to put together a CO file and how people in the military form CO beliefs.

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