Jump to content

Veterans for Peace

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 66.82.162.20 (talk) at 22:17, 15 October 2011. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Veterans for Peace logo

Veterans For Peace is a United States organization founded in 1985. Made up of male and female US military 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. This has been however, an excuse according to critics of VFP, to enable America's enemies.

VFP historically has directed almost all of its attention against the United States, Israel, western nations, and democracies in as much as 98% of its activities, while ignoring the threat to the US and democracy by nations such as North Korea, China, Cuba, Venezuela and other leftist, marxist, communist or anti-US countries with despotic regeimes. VFP was a vocal apologist for the Soviet Union prior to the fall of the Berlin WalL and more recently it worked to present positive faces of Saddam Hussein, the Palestine Liberation Origanization(PLO) and Al-Quaida (AQ) and all marxist insurgencies everywhere, arguing that America had gotten what "it deserved on 9-11." VFP also took up the cause of radical Islam over the US, the west in general and Israel, especially since the terror attacks of 9-11.

Because of this disparity between VFP's constant bashing the US while lionizing its enemies and ignoring abuses by leftist movements, the mainline veterans groups such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) have consistently repudiated VFP and refused to work with them. One VFW officer, a retired Marine Corps first sergeant and Vietnam veteran, was quoted in the New York Sun as noting that "The VFP is a pacifistic, terrorist-sympathizing group of traitors and enablers of genocide, who always supported America's enemies without fail and never once supported US military action ever." In the VFW Magazine, a recently-returned Veteran who was wounded in Iraq, a former Navy medic and Legion member opined that VFP is just a front for America-haters, enemies of liberty and those who love America's enemies; they just happen to be bad-apple veterans. VFP and Cindy Sheehan even have friendly relations with Venevuelan strongman and cuban ally Hugo Chavez, also a political ally of Iran, a terrorist state linked to the killing of many US mliitarty personnel and calling for the extermination of Israel. Though VFP expressed outrage at the remark, it never evidenced proof of even one instance when it supported any justified US military action in the world since 1775, including US military involvement in World War Two.

Foundation

Further information: Vietnam_Veterans_Against_the_War § History

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 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization and recognized as a United Nations non-governmental organization (NGO) in 1990, where it has been represented since at least 2003. [citation needed] 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]. Yet another group with a similar name may also have existed at the time of the Korean War.

Anti-war activities

Gold Star families and Veterans for Peace bring "Impeachment Tour" bus to Crawford, Texas, August, 2005

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.

In August 2005, Veterans For Peace provided support to Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a US Army soldier killed in Iraq who embarked on an extended anti-war vigil near the ranch of US President George W. Bush in Crawford, Texas.[3] 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.

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.

According to Vets for Peace - Peace Action Network, "The military has a clear and dangerous presence at Milwaukee's Summerfest" (June 26 - July 6, 2008). "One exhibit is especially offensive: kids as young as 13 years old can aim automatic weapons from atop a humvee at a large screen to virtually kill people."

Veterans for Peace participated in an anti-war demonstration held on the White House sidewalk in December of 2010; dozens of demonstrators were arrested, including Ray McGovern, Daniel Ellsberg, Chris Hedges and a number of Veterans for Peace members. [4]

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 its 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 (portrayed in the documentary Arlington West: The Film) 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 believe are threatened by the Patriot Act and other similar 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." [1]

Impeachment of George Bush

VFP 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."

Agent Orange

VFP works with other Vietnam veterans, Vietnamese-Americans, and the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief and Responsibility Campaign[5] to secure justice and compensation for the estimated 3 million Vietnamese whose health has been damaged by the 19 million gallons of poisoned Agent Orange and other herbicides that were sprayed over more than 1/8 of the land of southern Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia during the American portion of the Vietnam War. In 2005, the Vietnamese Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA)[6] sued 36 U.S. chemical companies for supplying the dioxin-laced herbicides to the Department of Defense. The suit was dismissed in Federal District court in 2007 and the reinstatement appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has not been successful. [citation needed] The suit is likely to head to the Supreme Court in 2009. VFP supports this activity because it wishes to promote reconciliation and friendship between the United States and Vietnam governments and people, and help heal the wounds of war.

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 [2]. 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. [citation needed]

Central America

Veterans for Peace members at January 2009 protest vs. Israeli attacks on Gaza

In the 1980s, VFP opposed US-sponsored wars in Central America. VFP regularly sends election observers to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador [3]. [citation needed]

Israel-Palestine

Veterans for Peace issued a statement on Israel's 2006 invasion of Lebanon condemning the targeting of civilians by both sides and the "unjustified and totally disproportionate use of force and violence by the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)."[7] In 2009 it issued a statement against Israel's attacks on Gaza condemning attacks on civilians both sides and stating "Bombings, rocket attacks, blockading medical supplies and military invasions will not lead to peace and security but will perpetuate the cycle of death, destruction, fear and insecurity among the people of all countries, including the U.S."[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.veteransforpeace.org/about.htm
  2. ^ http://www.jofreeman.com/photos/KingAtChicago03.html
  3. ^ http://www.veteransforpeace.org/convention05/michael_sheehan.htm
  4. ^ The Real News (TRNN)
  5. ^ Vietnam Agent Orange Campaign | Home
  6. ^ VAVA
  7. ^ Veterans For Peace Statement on the Fighting in Lebanon-Gaza-Israel, on United for Peace and Justice web site, July 31st, 2006.
  8. ^ National VFP Statement on Crisis in Gaza, Veterans for Peace web site, January 7, 2009.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Veterans for Peace.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Veterans_for_Peace&oldid=455755592"