Released
"I feel as though many more soldiers want to say things like this, but are afraid of retribution, and who's really listening anyway?"
© Private
Mark Wilkerson was first deployed to Iraq in March 2003. During his first tour, he witnessed many atrocities, such as the arrest and detention of innocent civilians. At one point, Mark refused to return fire on a man who was shooting at him because he did not want to hurt innocent bystanders. When he returned to the US in early 2004, he filed for CO status. His application was denied two months before he was required to return to Iraq for a second tour. In desperation, he went AWOL.
What happened to him?
Mark Wilkerson turned himself in at Camp Casey in Texas after being AWOL for 19 months. Six months later, a US court martial sentenced him to seven months' imprisonment and dishonorably discharged him from the Army. Mark Wilkerson was released from military detention at Fort Sill, Oklahama on July 12 after his 7 month sentence was reduced to 6 months.
"I have made my choice for peace, for humanity, and for a better tomorrow. Even though I understand that one of the consequences of refusing to deploy [is] my imprisonment, I cannot and will not deploy."
Agustín Aguayo with his wife © Private
Agustín Aguayo was deployed to Iraq for a year while the Army was still processing his CO application. While he was in Iraq, he refused to carry a loaded weapon, even while on guard patrol. When he returned to his base in Germany after his first tour, his application was denied and he was given orders to redeploy. His case was denied and on September 1, 2006, he went AWOL.
What happened to him?
Agustín Aguayo turned himself in the next day and was told he would be forced to go to Iraq. He escaped to the US and turned himself in again at a church in Los Angeles. He was convicted of two felonies that will remain on his record and sentenced to eight months in prison. He was released in April 2007, but it could take up to two years for the Army to discharge him. In that time, he cannot speak out against the Army and could be charged with further crimes. He has an ongoing habeas petition in the US. Amnesty International calls on the US Army to grant Agustín Aguayo an honorable discharge as a CO.
» Listen to Law and Disorder Radio's segment with Agustín Aguayo's attorney and family co-hosted by AIUSA Program Director Dalia Hashad
"As a result of the current situation soldiers have no other option but to go AWOL because they realize that the punishment for going AWOL is less than going through their chain of command and objecting to a war which is unjust."
Abdullah Webster with his baby © AI
Abdullah Webster had served in the Army since 1985 and was due to retire in 2005 when he applied for CO status in 2003 on the basis of his religious beliefs. His application was denied on the grounds that he was opposed to a specific war. Abdullah Webster said that as a Muslim, he was not allowed to participate in unjust wars and he believed the war in Iraq was unjust.
What happened to him?
Abdullah Webster was sentenced to fourteen months in prison and lost his pension and benefits. He was dishonorably discharged and Amnesty International declared him a prisoner of conscience. While he was in prison, he did not receive appropriate medical care. Abdullah Webster was released in April 2005 and was reunited with his wife and young daughter.
"Those who called me a coward, without knowing it, are also right. I was a coward not for leaving the war, but for having been a part of it in the first place."
© Private
Camilo Mejia had already spent six months in Iraq and was due to be deployed for another year when he filed for CO status. He refused to return because he did not want to be part of criminal activities, such as torturing prisoners. His CO application was denied and he was charged with desertion.
What happened to him?
Camilo Mejia received a one year sentence. He was released after nine months and moved back to Miami where his young daughter lives. Since his release, he has become a strong anti-war activist and advocate for conscientious objectors around the world. His book "Road from Ar Ramadi: The Private Rebellion of Sergeant Mejia" chronicles his journey of conscience in Iraq. In August 2007 Mejia was named chair of the board of directors of the Iraq Veterans Against the War.
» Hear the interview with Camilo Mejía (requires RealPlayer)
"They're court-martialing me because I applied for conscientious objector status. They're trying to make an example of me."
Kevin Benderman leaving Court-Martial after verdict. Maritza Mejía, distributed by www.bendermandefense.org
Kevin Benderman had spent a year in Iraq when he filed for Conscientious Objector status. He was appalled by the military's actions, such as his unit commander's order to shoot Iraqi children if they continued to throw pebbles at soldiers. Upon his return, he went AWOL and was court-martialed in January 2005.
What happened to him?
Kevin Benderman was sentenced to fifteen months in prison and dishonorably discharged. He was released in August 2006 and has been speaking with the media and addressing his supporters. He and his wife have established Benderman's Bridge, an organization dedicated to strengthening ties between small towns in America and veterans. He continues to speak out against the Iraqi war on his "Truth Be Told" lecture tour and via his online discussion forum "People and Communities in Action".
Order Your
