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VVAW-WSO Attacked Again

By VVAW

Members of VVAW/WSO were brutally attacked by security guards at an Aug. 19th Yankee ball game played at Shea Stadium. The New York City Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs (MOVA) declared the 19th to be "Honor Vietnam Veterans Night" at Shea and vets were invited to attend. After passing out leaflets which exposed the sham nature of this attempt to "honor" vets, 12 members of VVAW/WSO went inside and occupied box seats. Though other organizations (such as the Disabled American Vets) raised their banners, 30 security guards gathered in front of the VVAW/WSO contingent and started to come over the fence. The banner was lowered but the guards remained in front of the VVAW/WSO people.

Following the ceremony, the National Anthem was played and VVAW/WSO members again raised their banner. This prompted the guards to charge over the fence and attack the group (which had grown to 20 people) whit blackjacks and fists. During the beatings guards screamed, "We knew you were going to be here. We're going to kill you." The guards then dragged 6 people out of stands and threw them into a locker room. Guards locked the door, ripped the legs off wooden chairs, and begun to savagely beat these brothers with self-made clubs. One of the brothers, Danny Friedman, was beaten by 6 guards at once, received several broken ribs, and required 8 stitches in his head. The other brothers suffered bruises and lacerations and one received a broken nose.

Following the beatings, guards took the VVAW/WSO members and turned them over to City police. After 4 hours in the police station, the brothers were finally taken to a hospital for medical attention. They were booked on charges of 2nd degree assault (a charge which carries a maximum of 7 years). In a court hearing on Sept. 9th, charges against Joe Treglio, Dave Blaylock, Brian Guerra and Aaron David were dropped. Mike Grew's charge was reduced to a misdemeanor of "harassment," and Danny Friendman remains charged with the felonious assault.

Circumstances surrounding these beatings make it strangely resemble a set-up. Following the attack, VVAW/WSO received a call from a MOVA coordinator who said MOVA had received a call from City police prior to the game. Police told MOVA that VVAW/WSO would be at the game, that there would be a disturbance and that 6-8 people were arrested. In the Sept. 9th hearings, a guard testified that security forces had been told to watch the are where VVAW/WSO was seated because an outburst was expected.

In the words of one of the attacks brothers, "This is an obvious attempt to attack us as an organization...It is the same strategy as was used in Gainesville -- to discredit us and put an end to our work." Not only is this an attack on VVAW/WSO, but it is an example of the lengths the government will go in order to stop the growing movement of veterans. This is the way that MOVA, Shea Stadium and the New York police "honor" Vietnam vets; this is one more reason why vets must unite and continue to fight back!