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NYC Vets' Statement

By VVAW

On December 11, 2004, a meeting of 350 to 400 veterans, military families and supporters took place in New York City. Below is the statement adopted by the meeting attendees.

We are veterans, military families and supporters who have assembled at a public meeting and speak out in New York City to express our opposition to the illegal and unjust occupation of Iraq.

We do not believe our servicemen and women should be sent overseas to kill and die or be maimed to protect politicians' credibility. Real support for the troops means insisting that they be brought home now and that they, along with veterans of previous conflicts, receive the care and assistance they need and are entitled to upon their return.

We also stand in defense of our civil rights and liberties, including the right of the troops themselves to speak out against mistreatment, incompetent leadership, corporate corruption, the "backdoor draft" or illegal orders.

We know this is a long-term struggle, and we pledge to continue organizing against this folly and those who dragged our country into it. We do this in solidarity with the men and women they have put in harm's way, and in solidarity with the ordinary citizens of Iraq who are suffering under foreign occupation.

VA demo in New York, 2004