Veterans for Peace
Veterans For Peace is an American organization founded in 1985. Made up of male and female veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and other conflicts, as well as peacetime veterans, the group works to promote alternatives to war.
The stated objective of the group is as follows:
- We draw on our personal experiences and perspectives gained as veterans to raise public awareness of the true costs and consequences of militarism and war - and to seek peaceful, effective alternatives."[1]
Veterans For Peace was founded in 1985, as a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization and recognized as a United Nations Non-governmental organization (NGO) in 1990, where it has represented since at least 2003. Chapters and members are active in communities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. National conventions are held annually and members communicate through quarterly newsletters as well as daily list-serve news, online discussions groups as well as the national and chapter websites. Veterans for Peace has a national office in Saint Louis, Missouri and members across the country, both organized in chapters and at-large.
At least one unrelated anti-war group from the Vietnam War era had a similar name: "Veterans for Peace in Viet-Nam" participated in a number of demonstrations in 1967.[2][3]. Yet another group with a similar name may also have existed at the time of the Korean War.
Anti-war activities
Starting in late 2003 Veterans for Peace became a major participant of protests against the Iraq War.
In 2004, a Southern California chapters of Veterans For Peace began installing Arlington West, a weekly "temporary cemetery" in tribute to those killed in the war in Iraq, each Sunday in Santa Barbara and Santa Monica, California.
2005 Dallas Convention and Camp Casey
In August 2005, Veterans For Peace provided support to Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a U.S. Army soldier killed in Iraq who embarked on an extended anti-war vigil near the ranch of U.S. President George W. Bush in Crawford, Texas.[4] In May 2004, one month after the death of her son, Casey, Sheehan had first learned of the organization after seeing coverage of the Arlington West display on television. On August 5, 2005 she spoke at the organization's 20th annual convention in Dallas, Texas, just a day before traveling to Crawford to begin her vigil. Members traveled from California to install an Arlington West display at "Camp Casey," the site of Sheehan's protest.
2006 March
In March 2006, Veterans For Peace and coalition partners Iraq Veterans Against the War, Gold Star Families for Peace, and Military Families Speak Out joined with Hurricane Katrina survivors and the relief and rebuilding organizations Savin' Ourselves After Katrina, Common Ground Collective, and Bayou Liberty Relief, as well as a number of African American churches along the Gulf Coast on a march from Mobile, Alabama to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Originally titled the Veterans and Survivors March, it quickly took on the moniker of Walkin' to New Orleans, in tribute to the famous song by Fats Domino. The marchers traveled the Gulf Coast advocating an immediate end to the war in Iraq and redirection of funds to help rebuild areas Katrina damaged not only in New Orleans, but also in Mississippi, and Alabama. The march and the events surrounding it have inspired a plethora of websites and images on the web.
Currently, the Veterans Truth Project is working to tell the stories of soldiers returning from the Iraq war to inform the public and connect veterans with their communities.
Issues
Veterans for Peace takes positions on a number of issues.
War in Iraq
When the U.S. government threatened invasion, VFP conducted public forums, met with elected representatives and participated in marches to express our opposition. As the war began, VFP gathered in Washington, DC, with other veterans groups for Operation Dire Distress. The organization participated in the Bring Them Home Now campaign and supports the Iraq Veterans Against the War. Local chapters continue to conduct educational forums, demonstrations and ongoing Iraq memorial displays, such as Arlington West, to remember the growing human cost of the war, to end the occupation and to bring U.S. troops home.
Veteran's affairs
Members and chapters actively participate in efforts to save VA healthcare and defend veterans rights; to provide counseling through the GI Rights Hotline to active duty military needing assistance; and providing alternative information to counter military recruiters in the schools.
Patriot Act
Veterans for Peace seeks to protect civil liberties that they claim are threatened by the Patriot Act and other "repressive" legislation.
War on Terror
In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, VFP called for restraint while agreeing that: "...the hijacked airplane attacks on the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon a grievous assault upon innocence; a cause for outrage, sadness and disbelief....At this critical point, we believe it is essential to recognize that terrorists do not represent, nor are representative, of any community or country as a whole. We must not allow terrorism the power to create fear, suspicion and hatred -- or to direct our nation's domestic and foreign policies. We must not surrender to the cycle of retaliatory violence these angry people would push us into. Instead, we must come together and support each other, with faith and trust." [5]
Impeachment of George Bush
VFP has called for the impeachment of President Bush. In a letter sent to each member of the U.S. House and Senate, Veterans For Peace stated that "this administration's war on Iraq, in addition to being increasingly unpopular among Americans, is an unmistakable violation of our Constitution and federal law which you have sworn to uphold. In our system, the remedy for such high crimes is clear: this administration must be impeached."
The letter sent to each Senator and Representative, though, ignores that fact that the military actions in Iraq were approved by both houses of Congress [6] and are in support of several United Nations resolutions [7].
Agent Orange
VFP has worked with other Vietnam veterans to bring medical supplies, help build clinics, hospitals, and schools, advocate for Agent Orange victims and promote reconciliation and friendship between the United States and Vietnam as well as the people of both countries.
School of the Americas
Each year VFP members from across the country go to Fort Benning, Georgia, to demonstrate for the closing of the Army's infamous School of the Americas, a training center for thousands of soldiers from Latin American countries which VFP identifies as having "long records of human rights abuses."
Korea
After revelations of the massacres of civilians by U.S. soldiers during the Korean War, VFP sent several fact-finding delegations to investigate these allegations and bring the hidden history of that war before the public.[citation needed] They continue to work for an end to that conflict through their Korea Peace Campaign.
Vieques
The VFP has actively supported the end of the U.S. Navy's use of the island-municipality of Vieques, Puerto Rico for bombing target practice. VFP continues to support current efforts for cleaning up the environment.
Colombia
VFP sent fact-finding delegations to Colombia and educated Americans about US military involvement, the murder of union leaders by para-militaries and other human rights abuses, including the use of harmful chemical defoliants in the War on Drugs.
Central America
In the 1980s, VFP opposed US-sponsored wars in Central America. VFP regularly sends election observers to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador.[citation needed]
Criticism
Some conservative critics have expressed concern about the appeals for funding and specific items made by Veterans for Peace.
See also
- School of the Americas
- Arlington West
- Cindy Sheehan
- Ron Kovic
- Brian Willson
- Vietnam Veterans Against the War
- Iraq Veterans Against the War
External links
- Veterans for Peace official site
- Video clip of Vietnam vet and anti-war activist Jaime Vasquez speaking for VFP
- Video clip of VFP member Jason Moon talking about his experience in Iraq
- SOA Watch (School of the Americas watchdog site)