Report on the historic Citizens' Hearing on Legality of U.S. Actions in Iraq

Report on the historic Citizens' Hearing on Legality of U.S. Actions in Iraq that took place in Tacoma, WA this past weekend.
By Lietta Ruger, Military Families Speak Out - Washington state chapter

See reports and links below. As many of you know Military Families Speak Out - Washington state chapter has invested heavily in the planning and collaboration to bring to fruition the venue of a Citizens' Hearing to put the Iraq war on trial. I am pleased and proud to report the Citizens' Hearing on Legality of U.S. Actions in Iraq that took place in Tacoma, WA on Jan 20-21 was highly successful on a number of different levels. Those presenting testimony which included Daniel Ellsberg, Lt Harvey Tharp, Denis Halliday, Richard Falk, Antonia Juhasz, Ann Wright, IVAW members, John Burroughs, Benjamin Davis, Stacy Bannerman and others offered into the record their articlulate testimonies in accordance with their areas of expertise.

The dozen person panel, which included MFSO and GSFSO members, Rich Moniak, Elizabeth Falzone, veterans of former wars (WWII, Korean, Vietnam), new and current veterans - Maricela Guzman and Emily Lutz, high school student with two deployed brothers, Lyle Quasim, former Secretary of Dept of Social and Health Services Washington State, Rev. Elaine Stanovsky, and others queried the testifiers with thoughtfully challenging questions over the two days. The panel deserves a great deal of credit as they gave 4 consecutive days of dedicated attention towards listening to and reporting on the two days of testimonies. A finialized report using transcribed testimonies, panelists notes, input and perspectives will be professionally published and made available to the public. A copy will be mailed to each member of Congress.

Since I have been personally involved in the labor to birth this project in weekly collaborative planning sessions for the last eight months, my opinion about the success of the Citizens' Hearing is likely to be somewhat biased. I felt is was an historic success, under-reported in media but that may be their loss as we continue to try to get the reports out to the public. It is better left to those who were there to report on the success of the venue. I do have to remark though on how incredibly impressed I am with the mutually respectful collaboration that occurred amongst what comprised the Citizens' Hearing committee. This was the work of regional peace and activist people, groups and coalitions and is a testimony to what can be successfully accomplished within our regional communities. Of note, while there was a collaboration of many in the planning of this venue, there was no national organization involved in the planning. I find that highly significant and it has piqued my curiosity about the power and empowerment of the work of local and regional communities.

From those who did attend, I would love to hear your thoughts.

respect, regards and blessings in the struggle,

Lietta

CITIZENS' HEARING ON THE
LEGALITY OF U.S. ACTIONS IN IRAQ:
The Case of Lt. Ehren Watada
Evergreen Tacoma, Jan. 20-21, 2007

LIVE BLOG at Washblog from the Citizens' Hearing
http://www.washblog.com/story/2007/1/20/134540/099

SOME VIDEO/AUDIO CLIPS FROM THE TRIBUNAL
http://www.wartribunal.org/testimony.htm

ARTICLES, RADIO & RELEASES below and at
http://www.wartribunal.org/press.htm

NEWSPAPERS:

400 attend forum on Iraq War
Tacoma News Tribune/AP, Jan. 20, 2007
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/updates/story/6332946p-5519762c.html

Antiwar activists hold hearing
Seattle Times, Jan. 21, 2007
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003534204_citizenhearin
g21m.htmlPanel explores Watada debate

Panel explores Watada debate
The Olympian
http://www.theolympian.com/112/story/61644.html

Upcoming Watada trial drew Army deserter to Northwest
Seattle Times, Jan. 20, 2007
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/d
isplay?slug=anderson19m&date=20070120

Faux tribunal contends war in Iraq is illegal
Seattle PI, Jan. 22, 2007
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/300639_watada22.html

Related:
COVERAGE ON DEMOCRACY NOW! TUESDAY, Jan 23
of Ehren Watada and Bert Sacks
9:00 am at KAOS 89.3 fm and at
http://www.democracynow.org

CBS EVENING NEWS possible coverage on Wednesday, Jan24