"We still have a choice today: nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation &ldots; If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight." Martin Luther King, Jr., 1967
AgustÃn Aguayo might not be a household name, but his struggle pierces the core of the US anti-war movement.
Aguayo, a 35-year-old Mexican-American from Los Angeles, joined the Army in 2003 yet soon realized he couldn't take part in violence. He applied for conscientious objector (CO) status in February 2004 but was sent to Iraq anyway, where he refused to load his weapon even while on guard duty.
In an exclusive interview this week, Aguayo explained: "I was determined that I would not hurt/injure others in any way, no matter what the consequences." He added, "I actually believe that this action of not loading my weapon kept me sane. It brought me great sadness to know some soldiers I knew had shot at people, and some soldiers I knew were hurt by the actions of others. It was so absurd."
The Army rejected Aguayo's bid for CO discharge during his year in Iraq, so he filed a habeas corpus after returning to a base in Germany, stating: "My conscientious objection applies to all forms and aspects of the war. An Officer once explained to me how in his view the Army was like a huge machine made of many parts that all work together to achieve the desired outcome. I know this is true. If the desired outcome is killing, I cannot be part of the 'machine.'"
PLEASE CONTINUE
http://www.heatherwokusch.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=117
AgustÃn Aguayo might not be a household name, but his struggle pierces the core of the US anti-war movement.
Aguayo, a 35-year-old Mexican-American from Los Angeles, joined the Army in 2003 yet soon realized he couldn't take part in violence. He applied for conscientious objector (CO) status in February 2004 but was sent to Iraq anyway, where he refused to load his weapon even while on guard duty.
In an exclusive interview this week, Aguayo explained: "I was determined that I would not hurt/injure others in any way, no matter what the consequences." He added, "I actually believe that this action of not loading my weapon kept me sane. It brought me great sadness to know some soldiers I knew had shot at people, and some soldiers I knew were hurt by the actions of others. It was so absurd."
The Army rejected Aguayo's bid for CO discharge during his year in Iraq, so he filed a habeas corpus after returning to a base in Germany, stating: "My conscientious objection applies to all forms and aspects of the war. An Officer once explained to me how in his view the Army was like a huge machine made of many parts that all work together to achieve the desired outcome. I know this is true. If the desired outcome is killing, I cannot be part of the 'machine.'"
PLEASE CONTINUE
http://www.heatherwokusch.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=117