FREE CAMILO MEJIA!
Sentenced to Prison for Refusing to Kill and Torture "There comes a point when you have to realize there is a difference between being a soldier and being a human being." -Sgt Camilo Mejia
June 15, 2004--Camilo Mejia, a Nicaraguan immigrant, joined the army in 1995. In 1998, he left the regular army, transferred to the Florida National Guard and enrolled in a psychology course at university. He was mobilized at the start of the war.
During the war in Iraq, Sgt Mejia received promotion and commendations. He was, according to his commanding officers and the men under his command, an exemplary and popular soldier until last October, when he left his unit while on two weeks' leave in the US.
Refusing to Kill and Torture
He refused to return to Iraq, denouncing the invasion as a "war for oil". He accused his commanders of recklessly risking soldiers' lives, sending them into dangerous situations simply to earn medals and promotions.
He also described how soldiers were assigned as prison guards at a al-Assad base, where they were directed to engage in tactics to “soften up” Iraqi prisoners.
He said soldiers were ordered to stage mock executions, clicking pistols near the ears of hooded prisoners, or to bang on metal walls with sledgehammers to keep them awake. “This is an immoral, unjust and illegal war," said Mejia. "The whole thing is based on lies. There are no weapons of mass destruction, and there was no link with terrorism. It's about oil, reconstruction contracts and controlling the Middle East.” Railroaded Into Prison The son of a Sandinista activist and musician - his father wrote the lines in the Nicaraguan national anthem about struggling against Yankee imperialists - Sgt Mejia said, “"I'm prepared to go to prison because I'll have a clear conscience. This is an oil-driven war, and I don't think any soldier signs up to fight for oil."
The judge in Mejia’s court martial refused to allow the defense to introduce evidence regarding the torture and murder of Iraqis. He was sentenced to a year in prison and is being held at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.
Former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark, a member of Mejia’s defense team, said, “"The irony is that they are being court-martialed over there for the very things that he is being court-martialed for over here for not going back to do."
Camilo Mejia is in prison, while the real criminals - those who ordered the illegal invasion, killing, and torture in Iraq - are free.
How You Can Help Support Camilo
Mejia Letter from Camilo’ Aunt, Norma Castillo:
As you should know, Camilo was found guilty of desertion and was sentenced to one year in prison. Many injustices happened during that trial. The defense was not allowed to present arguments that would have demonstrated Camilo’s conscientious objection. They did not let him talk about his moral beliefs. Now they have sent Camilo to Ft. Sill in Oklahoma, far away from where his family lives, only to isolate him from us. This, of course, is not going to happen, because we will be wherever they take him. And we will continue this struggle until justice prevails.
It is imperative that people write letters to General William G. Webster, Jr., asking him to expedite the transcript of the trial. People can also request him for clemency, he has the power to reduce the sentence. Camilo is a true prisoner of conscience. It is because of his moral and religious beliefs that he is in prison right now. Please send copies of the letters you write to General Webster to Louis Font (Camilo’s lawyer).
People can also write letters directly to Camilo showing their support. Please mention in the body of the letter that they are sending a copy of the letter to his mother Maritza. This is a way to make sure these letters get to him.
Thank you so much for everything you’re doing.
Let Peace be in the World!
Contribute to Camilo Mejia’s legal fund.
Money is urgently needed for Camilo’s legal and political defense.
Send checks payable to “Citizen Soldier” (with “Camilo” in the memo line) to: Citizen Soldier
267 Fifth Ave. #901
NY NY 10016
or call 212-679-2250 to make a donation by credit card.
Write letters to:
Maj. Gen. William G. Webster, Jr.
Commanding General, Fort Stewart
42 Wayne Place, Ft. Stewart, GA 31314
Pt. Camilo Mejia
Building 1490
Randolph Rd.
Fort Sill, OK 73503
Maritza Castillo (Camilo’s Mother)
201 178 Drive #323
Miami, FL 33160
Louis Font (Camilo’s Lawyer), Font & Glazer
62 Harvard St., Suite 100
Brookline, MA 02445
For updates on Camilo and other military resisters: www.join-snafu.org
International Action Center
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Support Mumia Abu-Jamal: http://www.millions4mumia.org/
phone: 212 633-6646
fax: 212 633-2889
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