Across the U.S.--Youth say "No Draft, No Way!"

On March 31, 2005, the Selective Service System was scheduled to  report to George W. Bush to that it has met its  performance guidelines for 2004 including, "Strategic Objective 1.2: Ensure a mobilization infrastructure of 56  State Headquarters, 442 Area Offices and 1,980 Local  Boards are operational within 75 days of an authorized  return to conscription."

No Draft No Way put out a call to answer this with local  actions across the country.

Within days of issuing a call, we had received literally  hundreds of responses from people who wanted to  participate or organize actions against the draft.

On Thursday, March 31, No Draft No Way organizers answered  the Bush Administration and the Selective Service System  with a resounding NO to the draft and military recruiting.

In New York City, antidraft activists occupied the steps  of the Board of Education, unfurling a banner that read,  "Resist the War, Stop the Draft."  Protesters, which  included veterans, clergy, parents, students, trade  unionists, and youth organizers carried signs that said,  "Stop the Draft Before it Starts," and "Military Recruiters Out of Our Schools!"

In Boston, more than 30 people picketed in front of the  local recruiting station.  They were joined by Carl Webb,  a member of the Army National Guard who has refused to  deploy to Iraq.

In Raleigh, North Carolina, activists demonstrated in  front of the military recruiting station.  While more than  30 people protested, several of them blocked the entrance  of the recruiting station.  As they blocked the door, they  read a statement denouncing the war, the draft, and  military recruiting.

In Charlotte, NC, Charlotte No Draft No Way held a protest  in front of the military recruiting station.

In Nashville, students held a No Draft No Way rally across  from Vanderbilt University as part of An Afternoon of  Peace, Education and Saying No to War!

In Santa Rosa, California, the Sonoma County Peace &  Justice Center held a rally at the courthouse featuring  antidraft speakers and music.  Students joined in and signed a Conscientious Objectors Pledge of Resistance.

In Ames, Iowa, students walked out of campus at Iowa State  and held a rally against the draft.

In Kalamazoo, Michigan, activists rallied outside the  office of their local Congressional Representative and  presented him with a letter asking him to pledge to vote against the draft.

In Bloomington, Indiana more than 50 people turned for a  spirited protest against the draft and military recruiting  at newly-opened office of the Indiana National Guard.   Organized by the Bloomington Peace Action Coalition  (BPAC) and the Indiana University student group, ‘Against  the Occupation of Iraq' (AOI), protesters carried large  banners saying, "End the Occupation of Iraq," and "Stop  Recruiting for the War Machine," as well as signs saying,  "No Recruiting on Kirkwood," "Stop Feeding the War  Machine," and "You Shouldn't Have to Kill to Pay for an  Education!" The demonstration was publicized by local  media for several days prior to the event and was carried  live by local radio.

In Worcester, PA, 60 Methacton High School students walked  out of class Thursday, voicing their opposition to the war  and a potential draft reinstatement.  The students, some  holding anti-draft signs, convened near the school's  flagpole.

And more....Reports from local actions are still coming  in.

If you participated in a March 31 No Draft, No Way, send a  report and any photos to: march31@nodraftnoway.org  

see photos and reports from March 31 at:  http://nodraftnoway.org/m31actions.shtml  

No Draft, No Way Conference on Youth & Resistance

The next steps for the struggle against the draft will  include a conference on youth and resistance on in NYC  April 16.  This conference will address the return of the  draft, economic conscription, and youth organizing.

Youth organizers who have been active in speaking in high  schools and organizing to stop military recruiting are  playing a leading role in organizing the conference, which  will focus on concrete actions to shut down recruiting and  fight the draft.

Other regional and local meetings will follow in the  coming months--check back with http://www.NoDraftNoWay  for  updated information.

*More information about the conference: http://nodraftnoway.org/conference.shtml  

*To register: http://nodraftnoway.org/a16register.shtml  

No Draft, No Way Guide to the Draft and Draft Resistance

We are also planning to publish a No Draft No Way Guide to  the Draft and Draft Resistance.  We plan to publish  thousands of copies of this pocket-sized book, which we  will distribute on campuses, to activist groups, to  teachers, and to antidraft organizers across the country.

This book, which will come out early this summer, will be  an important tool in the struggle against the draft.   Please consider making a donation to cover the costs of  printing and distributing this book.

You can donate online at: http://nodraftnoway.org/donate-new.shtml  or, you can help by purchasing No Draft T-Shirts and other  items: http://www.cafepress.com/nodraftnoway  

 Help Build a Movement to Stop the Draft!

1) Sign the No Draft, No Way Petition  http://nodraftnoway.org/petition.shtml  

2) Tell a Friend About No Draft, No Way!  http://nodraftnoway.org/tell.shtml  

3) Register for the No Draft, No Way Conference:  http://nodraftnoway.org/a16register.shtml  

4) Support the No Draft, No Way site by purchasing No  Draft T-Shirts and other items:  http://www.cafepress.com/nodraftnoway  

5) Help Get the Word Out! Download petitions and  literature at: http://nodraftnoway.org/resources.shtml  

6) Organize a local No Draft No Way Group http://nodraftnoway.org/organizer.shtml  

NO DRAFT NO WAY http://www.NoDraftNoWay.org