Support Lt. Watada!

[eridani]

Pacific Northwest gears up for Lt. Watada court martial and support rally on Monday, February 5, 2007.

Join the growing number of people coming together this weekend to show support for Lt. Watada. Don't miss Lt. Watada's last speaking event before the court martial!!

SUPPORT WAR RESISTER LT EHREN WATADA, reserve your bus seat for Feb 5 (see details below).

In addition, several new activities are happening this weekend where you can show your support. Let's get creative – join a sign making party or help create giant puppets and street theater. Plan to attend a welcome event for Lt. Watada supporters arriving from across the country. See the event listings below for more information.

SATURDAY, February 3, 2007

3pm Sign Making Party!
Bring a staple gun, poster board and markers!
SEIU office, 150 Denny Way.
Contact 206-963-4873

7pm Lt. Watada's Last Speaking Event
University Temple United Methodist Church
1415 NE 43rd Street, Seattle WA(next to the University Bookstore).
$10 suggested donation for the event. No one will be turned away. Co-sponsored by Church & Society Team of University Temple United Methodist Church and Friends and Family of Lt. Watada.

SUNDAY, February 4, 2007

Noon-3pm Art, Puppets and Street Theater! Artists
and Volunteers needed!

1114 Court E, Tacoma WA. Warehouse up the hill from downtown, just below S 11th and Tacoma Ave. Calling all artists and volunteers to help create and perform a giant street theater pageant that will put the war on trial. We need volunteers who can attend both the Sunday Feb. 4, rehearsal and perform twice Monday afternoon on Feb. 5 at Fort Lewis.

5-9pm Welcome Event for Lt. Ehren Watada Supporters
First Congregational Church (Pilgrim Hall-Downstairs)

209 S J St. Tacoma, WA

Supporters from across the country are coming together to celebrate our resistance to illegal, immoral war and Lt. Ehren Watada's courageous stand on the night before his court martial. We encourage local community members to greet and welcome folks arriving from out of town.

The evening's event will include a pot luck dinner food, music, speakers and spoken word.

Performances by:
*Ryan Harvey - member of Riot Folk:
http://www.riotfolk.org
*Darrell Anderson -Iraq combat veteran and war resister shares spoken-word
*Dennis Kyne, Ethan Crowell and Michael Cuzzort
Acoustic performance by Members of Iraq Veterans
Against the War
*Steve and Kristi Nebel

Speakers include:
*Army Col. Ann Wright (Ret.) Resigned in opposition to the Iraq war in 2003
*Iraq Veterans Against the War members
*Anita Dennis, mother of Iraq war resister Darrell Anderson
Sponsored by: The Micah Project of First United Methodist Church, United for Peace of Pierce County, Friends and Family of Lt. Watada, Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace, Courage to Resist, Youth Against War and Racism, and Teen Peace Project. For more info contact: welcomefeb4 {at} gmail.com

MONDAY, February 5, 2007
9:30am Lt. Ehren Watada Court Martial begins
11:30am Support Events and Rally Begins Outside the
gates of Fort Lewis, Exit 119, off I-5


Schedule of the day:
11:30am Student Rally with Iraq Veterans Against the War
12:30pm Vigil outside the Gates of Fort Lewis with IVAW
1:30pm Political Street Theater with Giant Puppet Art, Spoken word, and DJ's 3pm Watada Campaign Rally
4-6pm Vigil outside the Gates of Fort Lewis. For more information about Feb 5 go to www.thankyoult.org

TRANSPORTATION FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5
SUPPORT WAR RESISTER LT EHREN WATADA Mon Feb 5, buses from Seattle, Kirkland, and Bellingham, info below

More information about carpooling, parking, and buses
at www.thankyoult.org: Questions? action {at} ltwatada.org

EVENT INFORMATION

Lieutenant Watada is the courageous army officer who is REFUSING TO FIGHT IN THE ILLEGAL AND IMMORAL IRAQ WAR. He has been speaking eloquently against the war. He is facing a possible 6 years in jail. He is hoping that supporters will have peaceful rallies on court days. Let's show the military we support Lt. Watada!

Brave the rain and weather - wear your raincoat and bring an umbrella. Endorsers include Jan 27th Coalition, Teen Peace Project, Arab American Community Coalition, Voices of Palestine, South Sound Project for Military Resistance and Justice, Asian Pacific America Labor Alliance, Anakbayan Seattle - Filipino American Youth and Students, Iraq Vets Against the War Seattle Chapter, Vets for Peace (Nationally), SEIU local 6, Act Now to Stop War & End Seattle Coalition, Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War (SNOW), United for Peace of Pierce County, People for Peace Justice & Healing, South Sound Peace & Justice Center, Southend Neighbors for Peace and Justice, Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation, Socialist Alternative, Freedom Socialist Party, Radical Women and many more. info http://www.thankyoult.org or info {at} ltwatada.org or Carrie Hathorn Calni27 {at} gmail.com or 206-963-4873.

BUS FROM NORTH AND SOUTH SEATTLE
Cheryl Banks is organizing a 44 seat Chinook Charter Express Service bus on Mon Feb 5th to be present at the Rally to be held outside of the Ft Lewis gates . We are starting this effort fairly late so people would need to make a decision and get me the $16.00 this week that each seat costs. Please let Cheryl know at 206-764-1886 or Wyckoft {at} comcast.net, and send your check to Cheryl Banks, 5438 - 18th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106.

Tentative plans are to have a north-end pickup and a south-end pickup. Be at north-end about 9:15 am for a 9:30 departure and south-end arrive by 9:45 am for a 10:00 am departure. Return will be about 7 pm. The coach has a rest-room, and we will be allowed to go back to the bus if we get tired just to get warm or to rest a bit. Each person needs to bring his/her own lunch. Signs supporting Lt Ehren Watada will be allowed. We will not be going through the gate to attend the trial.

BUS FROM KIRKLAND ON THE EASTSIDE
Susan Arndt has reserved a bus to go from the South Kirkland Park & Ride at 10 am and returning around 7 pm.

If we fill the bus the cost will be approximately $16/person. We can bring signs and food, and there is a restroom on board. We will be able to get back on the bus any time during the day to warm up, use the restroom, etc. Please let Susan know right away if you want a seat on the bus. Send a check (made out to Susan Arndt) for your seats ($16/each) now and if we have to adjust the amount up or down, we can do it on the bus. Send to Susan Arndt, 632 14th Place, Kirkland WA 98033. Urge your friends, neighbors, co-workers to join us. We can hire more buses! info and seat reservations susanarndt {at} earthlink.net

BUS FROM BELLINGHAM
Organized by Whatcom Peace & Justice Center;
http://www.WhatcomPJC.org, [e-mail], 360-734- 0217. WPJC Bus to Ft. Lewis for rally in support of Lt. Watada at his court martial: Mon Feb 5, leaving Bellingham around 10:30 am, spending three hours at the Ft. Lewis gates, returning in Bellingham around 9pm (specifics and parking location TBA). Please call to reserve ASAP and send in a check to confirm the seat(s). Two WPJC supporters have donated $100 each to subsidize the cost of the bus, so tickets are $15/person. Send check to: WPJC, PO Box 2444,
Bellingham, WA 98229.

[eridani]

1. Supporting vigil in Federal Way 5-6PM Feb 5th

Please join us for a rally to show our support to Lt. Ehren Watada...

"Thank You, Lt. Ehren Watada" Rally
Monday, February 5th, 5-6 PM
Intersection of South 320th Street and Pacific Hwy South

This is the day of Lt. Ehren Watada's military court-martial. Lt. Watada is the first commissioned officer to refuse deployment to Iraq.

Please join us at the corners of this busy intersection to show your support to Lt. Watada and your dissatisfaction with the U.S. actions in Iraq

Dress warmly! Bring signs!

If you are looking for some inspiration to join us at the intersection, watch this video <http://www.thankyoult.org/> and look no further.


AND

FREE!

Sunday, February 4th, 2 PM

Double Feature, Federal Way Regional Library

The Ground Truth and A Soldier's Duty? The Ehren Watada Story
The Ground Truth "The filmmaker’s subjects are patriotic young Americans - ordinary men and women who heeded the call for military service in Iraq - as they experience recruitment and training, combat, homecoming, and the struggle to reintegrate with families and communities." Running time: 78 minutes

A Soldier's Duty? The Ehren Watada Story Lt. Watada is the first commissioned officer to refuse deployment to Iraq. His case highlights the question of the legality and morality of the U.S. Actions in Iraq. Running time: 18 minutes

[eridani]

2. A note from the organizer of the vigil

*To all those who were out on the corner yesterday, THANK YOU!!! Several people requested that we be out there more often. Since the trial for Lt. Watada is still going on, we will return to the intersection of South 320th Street and Pacific Hwy South this Saturday, February 10th, from 4-5 PM. Please join us and bring your signs supporting Ehren Watada and your signs opposing the Bush administration and its policies. Since we will be out there during the daylight, our visibility and the visibility of the passing motorists will be increased. This means that you will been able to better see that some people will express their disagreement by offering a partial wave (i.e. middle finger extended) or harsh comments. As this is a rally promoting peace, I urge you to diffuse negative sentiments with a full wave, smile , or your own personal, yet friendly response.

[uppityperson]

3. Yeah for Watada!

He didn't get on the plane for Iraq, but that was because he was oing his duty and disobeying an illegal order. Thank you Lt. Watada!

[eridani]

4. Watada's case is gearing up again

Please help get the word out and mobilize to Ft. Lewis on Tues. Oct. 9. We have all put in so many hours to support Ehren and once again it's time for us to take action. We can't let the military get away with sending him to prison and setting a horrible precedent for other soldiers. A lot is at stake with his trial, so let's swing into full gear and organize our communities.

Peace
Carrie


Dear folks,

The Army is threatening to go ahead with a new court of martial of 1st Lt. Ehren Watada on Oct. 9th. This is in gross violation of law and the Constitution, because his lawyers have appealed against a second trial on the basis of double jeopardy. For quite some time, Ehren's lawyers were proceeding on the assumption that since the appeal is in progress in the court system, the Army would cancel or postpone the Oct. 9th court martial. But now it is only a week and a couple of days away, and nothing has been cancelled or postponed. The trial is looking very much like it is on, yet nothing has been confirmed one way or the other.

If the court martial is indeed going to happen, we need all the help we can get! We need all our friends and allies around the country to hold teach-ins, demonstrations, press conferences (if you have lawyers who can address the double jeopardy issue, please have them speak), write letters to the editors, anything you can do, on the weekend prior to Oct. 9 and/or on the day of. Anyone who can to come to Ft. Lewis and support Ehren in this critical moment, please come.

The catch here is that the Army has us set up: If we mobilize in a big way and they postpone the trial, we may look foolish if we don't frame it right. On the other hand, if we don't mobilize and the court martial occurs, Ehren can be railroaded while his supporters are caught sleeping. Either way, this looks like a perfect ambush by the Army.

However, the primary legal point here is the fact that an appeal on the basis of double jeopardy, guaranteed in the Constitution, is under attack. If we mobilize around this basic point, then we are proved right no matter what happens. Even if they postpone the court martial at the last minute, the question would remain: Why did they wait so long? By not canceling the court martial immediately when the appeal on double jeopardy was filed, they were attempting to erode the core Constitutional principle of double jeopardy. In that case, if they postpone or cancel the court martial at the last minute, we can rightfully claim a victory. If they proceed with the court martial, we rightfully voice our outrage. By simply speaking the truth to their power, we turn their ambush on it's head.

Let me provide some background here. In pre-trial motions, the Army judge, Lt. Col. Head (the same judge who lied and forced a mistrial when things didn't go the Army's way in the first trial), said that double jeopardy didn't apply because they have â€,,different rules†in the Army. When Ehren's lawyers cited specific Army regulations and case law that proved double jeopardy does apply in the Army, the judge simply rejected the facts out of hand. The entire pre-trial motions were very scripted and controlled by the judge, who told the prosecution what to say and limited what the defense lawyers were allowed to say.

The appeal is still in process and there are several layers of appeal yet to be exhausted before the appeal has run itâ€,,s course. It is clearly illegal and unconstitutional to hold a trial until the question of double jeopardy is finally resolved - but the Army is doing it. It appears that Ehren is about to be railroaded by a kangaroo court in which the whole proceeding will be very controlled and scripted and the outcome pre-determined. After they convict Ehren and put him in prison, perhaps the Army will then say that since he's been convicted and imprisoned, the appeal is irrelevant and invalid. This is what is going down.

Ehren's parents, Bob Watada and Rosa Sakanishi, and Carolyn Ho will be going up to Ft. Lewis for the court martial. So will folks from the San Francisco Bay Area including myself. Anyone who can, please join us! For those who can't, please organize some event in your local area to publicize this issue. Thanks very, very much.

I apologize for this extremely late notice. Ehren has been prevented from communicating anything of substance to any organizers because of heavy military surveillance, and this came to our attention only now. As you can imagine, there have been frantic discussions since then.

Plans are being thrown together at the last minute, and as of now I can't tell you exactly what will happen or what plans different peace groups might develop. Basically we are all flying by the seat of our pants and I would say to everyone everywhere, just do whatever the hell you can do with whomever is willing to do it with you. Please circulate this email widely among peace activists, thanks.

Michael Wong
Veterans for Peace chapter 69
Watada Support Committee

[eridani]

5. Ruling may come by Tuesday 10/9

Subject: FW: WATADA WATCH: District Court judge in Tacoma may issue Watada ruling Friday or Tuesday]
Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2007 16:08:31 -0400
From: NLaboy {at} afsc.org


Judge was appointed by Bush and this is his first case. He was formerly a JAG prosecutor. Don't expect him to be entirely objective. Please keep praying


WATADA WATCH: District Court judge in Tacoma may rule on Watada Friday
or Tuesday

-- The Associated Press's
Washington wire reported that Judge Settle "indicated he would try to rule by late Friday -- or by Tuesday, the day the court-martial is set to begin."<2> -- "Settle was just sworn in on the federal bench last week," the unsigned report noted. -- "'We were given the impression that if he became persuaded that he did, in fact, have jurisdiction, he would have no trouble reaching a decision about whether or not to issue a stay,' Kagan said in a statement." -- Meanwhile, in an editorial the *Seattle Post-Intelligencer* came out in favor of Watada: "there is a case for letting Watada leave the Army without further ado," its editorial board said.<3> -- On Thursday, Courage to Resist posted links to 34 pages of legal briefs filed by Lt. Watada's attorneys in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma.<4> --Mark]

http://www.ufppc.org/content/view/6713/

1. Local

FEDERAL JUDGE WEIGHS JURISDICTION IN WATADA CASE
By Mike Barber

Seattle Post-Intelligencer
October 4, 2007

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/334358_watada05.html

TACOMA -- A decision by a federal judge about whether he can allow 1st Lt. Ehren Watada's second court-martial for refusing to serve in Iraq to proceed next Tuesday could go down to the wire.

U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle on Thursday afternoon heard arguments from Watada's lawyers and a lawyer from the U.S. Attorney's Office about whether he has jurisdiction in the case.

Settle held the hearing after Watada's defense attorneys, Jim Lobsenz and Ken Kagan, sought an emergency halt to next Tuesday's court-martial. They said they were compelled to go to federal court after receiving no word from the military justice system's highest appellate court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, concerning Watada's challenge to his court-martial.

Watada's lawyers argue that the circumstances of a mistrial declared by a military judge during Watada's February court-martial means that a second trial would amount to double jeopardy.

Watada in June 2006 refused to accompany the Fort Lewis-based 3rd Stryker Brigade to Iraq, saying the war is illegal and could expose those who serve there to charges of war crimes. If convicted of missing movement with his unit to Iraq and conduct unbecoming an officer, Watada faces a maximum of six years in prison.

P-I reporter Mike Barber can be reached at 206-448-8018 or mikebarber {at} seattlepi.com.

2. Breaking news

JUDGE TAKES UNDER ADVISEMENT MOVE TO BLOCK COURT-MARTIAL

Associated Press
October 4, 2007

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2007/10/judge_considers_move_to_block.html

A federal judge has taken under advisement a bid by an Iraq war objector at Fort Lewis to bar his upcoming court-martial.

U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle heard arguments Thursday and indicated he would try to rule by late Friday -- or by Tuesday, the day the court-martial is set to begin, said Ken Kagan, a lawyer for Army 1st Lt. Ehren Watada.

Monday is Columbus Day.

Watada is charged with missing his unit's deployment to Iraq in June 2006 and with conduct unbecoming an officer for denouncing President Bush and the war.

He contends the war is illegal and that he would be party to war crimes if he served in Iraq. The Army, which refused his request to be posted in Afghanistan or elsewhere, declared his first court-martial a mistrial in February, over the lieutenant's objections.

His lawyers say the Army is violating his constitutional rights by trying him twice for the same crime.

Kagan said Settle was particularly interested in the question of whether he had jurisdiction in the case. Settle was just sworn in on the federal bench last week.

"We were given the impression that if he became persuaded that he did, in fact, have jurisdiction, he would have no trouble reaching a decision about whether or not to issue a stay," Kagan said in a statement.

A call to Fort Lewis for comment was not immediately returned late Thursday.

On Wednesday, in a statement released by Fort Lewis spokesman Joe Piek, the Army said, "The government has followed the law and rules throughout the process of bringing this case to trial."

If convicted, Watada could be sentenced to six years in prison and be dishonorably discharged.

The Army Court of Criminal Appeals has ruled that Watada can be court-martialed again, but Watada appealed that decision to the U.S. Circuit Court for the Armed Forces, which has not ruled, his attorneys wrote in their emergency motion. With the court-martial about to start, Watada urgently needs the federal court to step in, they said.

Watada's attorneys are also asking that he be allowed to leave the Army. Watada's term of service ended in December, but the pending legal proceedings have prevented his discharge. He lives in Olympia and continues to perform administrative duties at Fort Lewis, south of
Seattle.

3. Opinion

WATADA COURT-MARTIAL: LET HIM GO

Seattle Post-Intelligencer
October 4, 2007

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/334327_watadaed.html

The twists and turns of the court-martial proceedings against Fort Lewis 1st Lt. Ehren Watada continue to cause pain and division.

Watada came to an easily debated but apparently sincere decision that the Iraq war was wrong, even illegal. He had one mistrial, and his attorneys are trying to block a second proceeding as violating rules against double jeopardy. But the court-martial is scheduled to begin Tuesday.

However the defense appeals turn out, we think there is a case for letting Watada leave the Army without further ado. That could be taken as a statement of higher-level confidence, a choice to focus on the larger military mission that President Bush and Gen. David Petraeus insist is making new progress. At a minimum, many of those who oppose the Iraq war would welcome the leniency for someone they view as a person of conscience.

4. LT. WATADA ASKS FEDERAL COURT TO HALT OCT. 9 RETRIAL

Courage to Resist
October 4, 2007

Lt. Ehren Watada's lawyers made an emergency appeal to federal civilian courts (the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma) for a halt to the court-martial retrial currently scheduled for next Tuesday, October 9, based on Ehren's protection against Double Jeopardy as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

Both the Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/images/stories/pdf/ew/habeas-corpus.pdf
and the Emergency Motion for a Stay of Trial Proceedings
http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/images/stories/pdf/ew/emergency-motion.pdf
filed yesterday clearly outline why Double Jeopardy applies to the
case of Lt. Watada. Also: Army announces Oct. 9 retrial
http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/images/stories/pdf/ew/public-affairs-3oct07.pdf
and Army warns trial attendees against political speech or dress
http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/images/stories/pdf/ew/watada-dress.pdf

"This is a remarkably clear case of an egregious violation of the double-jeopardy clause," Watada's lawyers, James Lobsenz and Kenneth Kagan, wrote in the emergency motion to block the court-martial.

Earlier this week, the Army announced their intention of moving forward with the October 9 court-martial that nearly all observers assumed would be postponed until a ruling from the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. However that military appeals court seems content to sit back and watch.

Because Monday, October 8th is a federal holiday and the court-martial is scheduled for Tuesday, October 9th, an emergency hearing has been requested for Friday, October 5th. In a clear move to limit media coverage, Fort Lewis Public Affairs announced that media wanting to cover the trial had less than 48 hours to register with their office.

Supporters of Lt. Watada are again planing on attending any possible retrial. Those interested in attending should arrive at the Gate 120 Visitor's Center before 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. Others will hold vigil throughout the day in front of Gate 119. Meanwhile, community organizers across the country are preparing to take action highlighting the case of Lt. Watada and all military war resisters over the next week.

Ehren's term of military service ordinarily would have expired on December 4, 2006; however, he has not been discharged because of the pending court-martial charges against him for speaking out against an illegal war and refusing to obey an order to deploy and lead his soldiers in Iraq.

--Information for this update provided by David Mitchell and Gerry Condon

[eridani]

6. Ruling was late, but in Watada's favor

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3059940

[SeattleGirl]

7. I was glad to read this in the paper this morning.

I hope the trial is permanently blocked.