UPRISE
Independent journalists and members of Iraq Veterans Against the War spoke out against the occupation of Iraq Monday night at Bluestockings Books.
The event was the sixth leg of the UPRISE Counter-Recruitment Tour, a five-week, 24-city traveling roadshow that seeks to expose the on-the-ground reality of military service. The tour began in Washington D.C. on Sept. 23 and will wind through the Mid-Atlantic region and the Upper Midwest until it concludes in Chicago on Oct. 25. Organizers of the tour are also looking to draw connections between corporate globalization, the need for a permanent “war on terror” and the social inequalities that make military service seem attractive to many people.
The night began with the screening of “Alive in Baghdad”, a documentary by freelance journalist and filmmaker Brain Conley that takes a closer look into civilian life in Baghdad. The film was then followed by a discussion on ways to build solidarity with the great majority of Iraqi people who support the rapid withdrawal of U.S. troops.
Toby, a native of Indiana and member of Iraq Veterans Against War spoke about his feelings about the government, military and war, “Our country was more radical when it was founded. We’ve become dumbed down and enslaved by rhetoric and propaganda.”
Guests in the audience and speakers also discussed how recruiters are hitting the streets, targeting high school aged students in often times, Latino and Black communities. Jose Vasquez, who served 14 years in the Army and Army Reserve and President of the New York Chapter of Iraq Veterans Against War spoke about educating the youth and recruiting methods at his high school, “At my school, Career day was Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.”
Vasquez noted that the New York City chapter of IVAW has 22 members, the most of any chapter in the country.
Michael from New Orleans, a Hurricane Katrina survivor and Afghanistan vet spoke about his reasons for leaving the National Guard. “If I could sum up in one word why I am against the war, it was because I was betrayed.” He also discussed how many U.S. soldiers are becoming addicted to opium in Afghanistan, a world leader in opium production and returning home without being able to find treatment.
The night closed with performances by writer and folk musician, Ryan Harvey and D-Cypernauts, a New York-based Hip/Hop group. The Uprise Tour held a movie screening and discussion Tuesday night at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey before heading west for Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The event was the sixth leg of the UPRISE Counter-Recruitment Tour, a five-week, 24-city traveling roadshow that seeks to expose the on-the-ground reality of military service. The tour began in Washington D.C. on Sept. 23 and will wind through the Mid-Atlantic region and the Upper Midwest until it concludes in Chicago on Oct. 25. Organizers of the tour are also looking to draw connections between corporate globalization, the need for a permanent “war on terror” and the social inequalities that make military service seem attractive to many people.
The night began with the screening of “Alive in Baghdad”, a documentary by freelance journalist and filmmaker Brain Conley that takes a closer look into civilian life in Baghdad. The film was then followed by a discussion on ways to build solidarity with the great majority of Iraqi people who support the rapid withdrawal of U.S. troops.
Toby, a native of Indiana and member of Iraq Veterans Against War spoke about his feelings about the government, military and war, “Our country was more radical when it was founded. We’ve become dumbed down and enslaved by rhetoric and propaganda.”
Guests in the audience and speakers also discussed how recruiters are hitting the streets, targeting high school aged students in often times, Latino and Black communities. Jose Vasquez, who served 14 years in the Army and Army Reserve and President of the New York Chapter of Iraq Veterans Against War spoke about educating the youth and recruiting methods at his high school, “At my school, Career day was Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.”
Vasquez noted that the New York City chapter of IVAW has 22 members, the most of any chapter in the country.
Michael from New Orleans, a Hurricane Katrina survivor and Afghanistan vet spoke about his reasons for leaving the National Guard. “If I could sum up in one word why I am against the war, it was because I was betrayed.” He also discussed how many U.S. soldiers are becoming addicted to opium in Afghanistan, a world leader in opium production and returning home without being able to find treatment.
The night closed with performances by writer and folk musician, Ryan Harvey and D-Cypernauts, a New York-based Hip/Hop group. The Uprise Tour held a movie screening and discussion Tuesday night at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey before heading west for Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Add your comments