San Diego, TX–(HISPANIC PR WIRE)–May 10, 2005
(Excerpted from the statement issued yesterday by Petty Officer 3rd Class Pablo Paredes, facing court martial trial in San Diego today, for refusing to commit murder):
I elected to carry this cross. A cross that will take away my freedom yet set me free. However, it is the Iraqis that die for simply believing they have a right to exist in their own country who need help. It is the Iraqi families who loose children or parents for simply believing they have a right to breathe their own air. It is the misled soldiers with heroism in their heart and courage in their blood, who die at the hands of those they are misled into believing they are helping, it is they who need help carrying their cross. It is the families here at home who are left alone to mourn their unjust losses. It is humanity as a whole that is carrying the mighty weight of unprovoked, unnecessary and unjust violence.
We live in a historical moment where the lives and deaths of 2 individuals have captivated the world and brought to the surface strong consideration for the value of human life. Our own leaders have recommended that we “err on the side of life.”
Since the inception of this cruel war we have caused approximately 100,000 Iraqi civilian deaths and nearly 1,600 American military deaths. Thus concerned humans (and servicemen) such as myself, Camilo Mejia, Aidan Delgado and many others have chosen to respond to the voice of their hearts and conscience. While the Pentagon acquits marines of the murder they commit; we face the full extent of the law for the murder we chose NOT to commit.
For this reason, we call upon the nation to make 05/10 – 05/13 a time of national action against war, hate and injustice. We will lead with a series of events near the venue of the court martial in San Diego. These efforts will kick-off with a press conference on May 10th at 7pm at the Aswan Hall. The event series will consist of a conference series and daytime protest activities. For details about the events visit http://www.swiftsmartveterans.com.
CONTACT:
Victor Paredes
(917) 864-9179
http://www.swiftsmartveterans.com