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Chicago Veterans Honor a War Resister

By Amy Meyers

Friday, March 23, 2007, the Chicago Chapters of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Iraq Veterans Against the War and Veterans For Peace, along with friends from Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism, hosted a fundraiser for war resister Kyle Snyder.

Aaron Hughes speaks at Kyle Snyder event

Kyle has personal ties to Chicago since spending time here in the fall of 2006, where as an AWOL soldier, he insistently spoke out on the wars on Iraq and Afghanistan. From televised interviews, classroom presentations and discussions, to public forums and the VVAW Veterans Day observance.

The event was a success in outreach and fundraising. Over 50 people were in attendance, many staying for the entirety from 7pm-12am. Most were involved in intimate conversations in the gallery area, over food and drinks; while others watched video shorts of Kyle and fellow war resisters, in the media room. Members of VVAW, IVAW and VFP were present, coming from metropolitan Chicago, and as far as Ohio and Indiana. Also we were honored to have in attendance Juan Torres (GSFP, MFSO), Anita Dennis (mother of resister Darrell Anderson), and 3 currently AWOL soldiers.

Chicago's IVAW chapter had their first Speak-Out at the event. Held the week of the 4th anniversary of the Iraq war, this event provided an ideal time and platform to introduce the chapter. Formed officially in February 2007 with 10 plus members to date; Aaron, Eric, Ryan, Justin, Dave, Patty and Matt, each gave personal renditions of their military experience.

The current state of affairs highlights the significance of resisters, veterans and civilian activists working together. It's no longer just about the war(s), but the media manipulation and lies used for going in, and at this point staying at war. Forcing us to heighten our commitment and continue providing support to one another, particularly resisters and veterans. We must reach out to youth and their guardians, talk about the risks and economic conditions that pressure young, poor, working people to enlist. Although providing specific, realistic alternatives offering comparable benefits to that of military enlistment are difficult, more of us have to address and come to understand these implications. With this we can provide solutions and demand changes to our current social system, while ensuring the most viable options to pursuing decent employment and educational opportunities are not rendered by means of the military, but by legitimate choices.

Without the GI's and Veteran's sharing their voices of dissent and opposition to military indoctrination with civilians, the ability to identify and understand allusions of the military industrial complex would be severely damaged. We must support the GI resistance!