 Lt. Ehren Watada during pre-trial hearing 1/4/07 |
Expert witnesses defend Lt. Ehren Watada for his courage to resist Brooklyn Law School |
On June 22, 2006, U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Ehren K. Watada stepped forward as the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse deployment to the Iraq War and occupation.He faces court martial and up to 6 years imprisonment for his refusal to deploy and for speaking out against a war that he believes is illegal.
Nearly two weeks after hearing arguments in the January 4 pre-trial
phase of Lt. Ehren Watada’s court martial for refusing to deploy to
Iraq, and explaining his refusal to the press, military circuit judge
Lt. Col. John M. Head on January 16, 2007 issued brief, tersely worded
rulings. In summation, “The defense motion for a hearing on the
“Nuremburg defense” is DENIED. The government motion to prevent the defense from presenting evidence on the legality of the war is GRANTED.” The defense motion to dismiss the four political speech charges was also “DENIED.”
In response to this outrageous decision a “Citizen’s Hearing” is being
held not only to put the Iraq War on trial but the decision to invade, which constitutes a “War of Aggression” In addition, the Government
has subpoenaed Sarah Olson, a journalist, to testify against Lt. Watada
in violation of the Constitution’s First Amendment Right to freedom of
the press. Expert witnesses will present a proper defense and evidence
on behalf of Lt. Watada, and systematically tear down the government’s
case against him.
The evening will include:
- Remarks from Ehren Watada (video)
- Ann Wright, Retired Army Colonel and State Department official
- Dr. Dahlia Wasfi, Iraqi-American Physician
- Iraq war Veterans
- International Law Experts
- A journalist presenting facts concerning rights under the First Amendment
The trial is being presented by:
The Committee United For Lt. Watada NYC, World Can’t Wait, Drive Out the Bush Regime,
Not in Our Name and The National Lawyers Guild Brooklyn.
It is endorsed by Military Families Speak Out NYC and Veterans for Peace NYC.
For background information on Lt. Watada, and to make donations, please visit www.thankyoult.org
Donations accepted at the door, no one turned away for lack of funds.