Iraq Vet Tower Guard Vigil in DC 8/26 - 9/1/2007
Iraq War Veteran Evan Knappenberger, 1st BDE, 4th Infantry Division, will maintain an ongoing vigil on a 6' scaffold on the Mall in Washington, DC as part of a weeklong Tower Guard vigil beginning Sunday, August 26th through Saturday, September 1st.
Knappenberger will hold his 7-day, 24-hour vigil adjacent to the Washington Monument on the National Mall. He will set up the tower between Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive and 14th and 15th Streets, NW (area near National Museum of American History). This action, supported by various organizations including the Washington Peace Center, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Whatcom Peace & Justice Center, follows a successful 8-day/7-night Tower Guard in Bellingham, WA that garnered extensive media coverage from the AP; all major Seattle TV news networks; Democracy Now! and Air America.
Knappenberger is drawing attention to the US military's STOP-LOSS and INACTIVE RESERVE policies, which he submits are being used as a substitute for conscription in a political war.
"I spent a year in Iraq. I pulled 97 nights on tower guard," explained the 22 year-old intelligence veteran. "Many of the friends I served
with have completed their Active Duty contracts. Now, they're being sent back to Iraq for their third or fourth tours. Tours have been extended from 12 months to up to 18 months. Some soldiers are getting called up after living years of civilian life. Stop-loss is an unethical policy."
While fulfilling his duties, Knappenberger witnessed the full effect of the administration's policies on military personnel and the Iraqi
people, and began to question those policies. He was given a General Discharge under honorable circumstances in April 2007. Now that he is home, he is committed to doing everything he can to represent his fellow soldiers and address the wrongs being done to them and their families.
"Evan's protest is a powerful, highly-visible action," said Marie Marchand, executive director of Whatcom Peace & Justice Center, the non-profit organization that sponsored the Bellingham Tower Guard. "It is a creative way of educating the public about this widespread exploitation and abuse of our soldiers. Evan has seen this injustice perpetrated against his friends and comrades. The peace movement is invigorated by his leadership."
During Tower Guard in Bellingham, WA, the community rallied around the 22 year-old veteran with an outpouring of support including help with
night security, media outreach, meals, and solidarity. Organizational endorsements included Veterans Against Torture and Iraq Veterans
Against the War (IVAW) whose members drove hundreds of miles to stand with Knappenberger.
Members of Veterans for Peace have expressed strong support. "Evan's Tower Guard action speaks not only to an unethical, unfair misuse of our military personnel, but to the seemingly endless sacrifices imposed on their families," said Gene Marx, Vietnam Veteran and father of a two-tour Iraq War Veteran. "It was just a matter of time before returning veterans like Evan enlighten our communities."
IVAW Chairman Garett Reppenhagen made this statement: "Iraq Veterans Against the War are encouraged by Evan Knappenberger's courage to express his concerns regarding the current Stop-Loss and Individual Ready Reserve. This abuse of the men and women in the Armed Services should not be tolerated by our nation. Thank you, Evan, for finding a bold expression to wake-up America about our responsibility to use our
military members honestly and fairly."
Knappenberger invites the public to talk with him while he is on Tower Guard to learn more about the unethical Stop-loss policy. His action
is part of a month-long campaign of anti-war, pro-veteran protests taking place in Washington, DC and around the US.
###
CONTACT:
Evan Knappenberger, Iraq Veteran: (434) 249-5956
Marie Marchand, Executive Director, Whatcom Peace & Justice Center:
(360) 920-4817
Tony Teolis, Veterans For Peace D.C.: vfpdc@vfpdc.org, (703) 402-1763
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Iraq Vet Tower Guard Vigil in DC 8/26 - 9/1/2007
When are Americans going to realize , we are now under a dictatorial decider. The decider is now the only one that is now setting our laws , policies and what Americans can or can not do.
People that follow his commands or orders receive his pardon and forgiven from any prosecution from their action.
When "ONE" person is above the law , and take charge of making all new laws or breaking any now existing , then this is called a dictatorship.....
We can now see that our Senate and House is useless to try or willing to do a d... thing to stop this destruction of our democracy , freedom , rights , military and our economy. By our leaders being silience and not putting a stop to the destruction of our laws and country , is the same as an agreement to them.
If you do not call how the deciders is running this country a dictatorship , then what in the h... do you call it , for this is certainly not a democracy or even close to one.
If you think anyone is listening to what you say , then tell me WHO!!! If our leader really disagrees with the decider's dictatorial powers , policies and the destruction of our country , then they would take action to stop it , instead of just given lip service.