video: Iraq Veterans Against the War in Chicago

Below the fold I've included video of the Iraq Veterans Against the War's (IVAW) Operation First Casualty IV in Chicago. Operation First Casualty was held one week ago in Chicago.

Operation First Casualty:

Who? Iraq Veterans Against the War. The patrol was conducted by IVAW members who had done patrols in Iraq.
What? OFC was designed to allow Americans to see the realities of what the U.S. military does to implement the occupation on a day-to-day basis.
Where? Downtown Chicago
When? One week ago today
Why? To build support for 1) bringing the troops home now, 2) getting proper benefits for veterans, and 3) paying the Iraqi people reparations for the damage caused by the war and occupation

BTW, the Marine Corps has decided to retaliate against members of IVAW who participate in Operation First Casualty (more on this below the fold).

Above is my favorite video of Operation First Casualty because the camera is mix in with the civilians, so you see the occupation from the perspective of the people being oppressed by the U.S. military.

Above is the only TV station that covered Operation First Casualty. The most significant newspaper coverage was Daily Herald (Robert McCoppin). The action got less press than it might have....

Above is the more extended video shot and posted by Chicago Indy Media. (I was a peace marshal and appear for about 1-2 seconds at 2:07. I' in the Vietnam Veterans Against the War t-shirt in the background on the bridge.)

Chicago Tribune (Kirsten Scharnberg) has an article about the Marine Corps downgrading discharges of former Marines who participate in demonstrations, like Operation First Casualty, that are critical of the Iraq War and subsequent occupation.

Background: When one joins the military s/he signs an eight-year contract. There's an active duty commitment that is usually four years. After completing the active duty obligation the member or officer serves the remaining obligation as part of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).

The military can recall members of the IRR to active duty (and has for the current debacle). However, members of the IRR have no military obligations beyond keeping their contact information up-to-date. As far as I understand the military doesn't even have criminal jurisdiction over members of the IRR. Military charge specifications all include the language "while on active duty".

The Marine Corps is attempting to downgrade the discharges of Adam Kokesh (Facebook profile), Liam Madden and Cloy Richards retroactively. Even the extreme Right Wing Veterans of Foreign Wars has come out against this.

Illinois legislators have the ability to award a scholarships to state colleges and universities. I've asked a couple of them to offer scholarships to IVAW members who lose their GI Bill benefits for speaking against the Iraq War.

The first response I received basically said s/he'd be open to doing it for his/her constituents, but was reluctant to offer it to others. S/he also made the point that education benefits are just one piece of the benefit package.

Iraq Veterans Against the War is going to have a CD with peace and anti-war songs. Willie Nelson will appear on it. If you have some money looking for a good cause, please give to IVAW.